Peter Criss: The Hard Rock Drummer and Voice of a Classic Ballad

Peter Criss is an American drummer and vocalist best known as a founding member of the legendary rock band KISS. Hailing from New York City, his most enduring achievement is providing the lead vocal on the band's 1976 mega-hit "Beth," which helped propel KISS to international superstardom and multi-platinum sales.

Early career

Born Peter George Criscuola in 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, Criss began playing drums as a teenager, inspired by jazz greats like Gene Krupa. Before co-founding KISS with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in 1973, he played in various bands, including the short-lived Lips, and had a brief, unsuccessful audition for the band that would become Wicked Lester.

Breakthrough

Peter Criss's breakthrough came with the massive commercial success of KISS's 1975 album Alive! and the subsequent studio albums Destroyer (1976) and Love Gun (1977). The band's theatrical "Catman" persona and Criss's distinct, raspy voice became integral to their identity, leading to a period of unprecedented merchandising and chart dominance, with multiple albums achieving platinum certification.

Key tracks

Beth — This ballad, featuring Criss on lead vocals, became a surprise top 10 hit, winning a People's Choice Award and significantly broadening KISS's audience.

Black Diamond — The closing track on KISS's 1974 debut album showcases Criss's powerful drumming and shares vocal duties, establishing a early fan favorite.

Hard Luck Woman — Another successful KISS single sung by Criss, it reached the top 20 in 1977 and highlighted his suitability for raspy, rock-oriented tunes.

I Was Made For Lovin' You — Though sung by Paul Stanley, this 1979 disco-rock smash features Criss's steady, four-on-the-floor drumbeat that helped drive it to global success.

Following the peak years, Criss left KISS in 1980 to pursue a solo career, releasing the album Out of Control on Casablanca Records. He rejoined the band for a highly lucrative reunion tour in 1996, which featured the original lineup in full makeup and stage gear. After several more years of touring and recording, including the 1998 album Psycho Circus, Criss departed the band again and was officially inducted with KISS into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

For fans of Peter Criss's style, exploring similar artists is rewarding. Alice Cooper shares the same theatrical shock-rock foundations and 1970s peak. Aerosmith offers a parallel track of gritty, blues-influenced American hard rock from the same era. The drumming and showmanship of Mötley Crüe directly channel the KISS legacy of spectacle. Finally, Cheap Trick mirrors that blend of power pop melody and hard rock energy that defined much of KISS's hit-making period.

The music of Peter Criss with KISS remains a staple on classic rock FM stations and dedicated hard rock radio streams. His iconic drum parts and unique vocal contributions are regularly featured in blocks of 1970s rock anthems and special artist spotlight hours across the network.

Listeners can discover the powerful legacy of Peter Criss, from his thunderous drums to his signature ballad, on the classic rock and album-oriented rock radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to hear the Catman's essential role in one of rock's most legendary acts.