Original KISS Drummer PETER CRISS Explains Decision To Stop Performing Live: 'If I'm Gonna Do It, I've Gotta Do It Now'
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Original KISS drummer Peter Criss recently announced a couple of convention appearances this spring that are being being on his web site as his final live performances.
On May 12-14, Criss is scheduled to appear at the KISS Konvention Australia in Victoria, with his May 12 set said to be Peter's last live performance in Australia. Criss's appearance at the New York KISS Expo on June 9-11 will include a meet-and-greet, expo and a New York landmark tour. Five days later, on June 16, Peter will take part in a VIP dinner performance, which is being billed as his last live performance in the USA.
Asked by Australia's The Rockpit in a brand new interview if he is "moving on to do other things," Criss responded: "You know what?! I'm 71. That scares me when I say that [laughs], but if you're around me, I'm like a 15-year-old kid — I really am. But I've had an amazing career in music. I was around in the '60s and '70s, which was about the best time to be a musician. I actually saw Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison and THE BEATLES when I was young. I've seen the greatest of the greats perform. I grew up at a time when music was so cool. There was Bob Dylan, and things were changing — things were becoming amazing for musicians in the world. So I played clubs for 15 years, then I started the band with the guys.'
He continued: "I'm a big BEE GEES fan, I was watching the salute to Barry [Gibb, the last surviving member of the BEE GEES], I've been a big fan since they started, and I love that he got up there and performed. And I see now all these guys, from THE ROLLING STONES, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, and we're all in our 70s now, and I hate to say it, but we're dying out, and that's so real. There's less rock and roll in the world, less music in the world, and it's kinda sad.
"So I'm 71 I'm in the best health I've been in for a while, and I thought if I'm gonna do it, I've gotta do it now. I had male breast cancer and I beat it, and that's really changed my life, and my wife also beat cancer too, so I went out I signed autographs, I wrote a book. When I connected [with the fans] again, I got to hear their stories and they'd ask me if I'd play again or sing again; there was so much love. And when I looked around, everyone was slowing down or retiring, like Eric Clapton, and I wondered what I have left."
Criss added that he is planning on finally completing the solo album that he started work on nine years ago.
"Before my cancer, I really put down some really heavy rock and roll. I put down some ballads too, but it was heavier than the stuff I normally do. And then I got sick and I put it aside and I've been sat on it these last eight years. And when I moved to California, I took it with me. There aren't any vocals on there yet, but I played it to a good friend and he told me that it was the best stuff he'd heard in years and I had to finish it, so when I'm over in June to play my last show in New York City, I'll finish it."
In addition to playing drums in the band, Peter also provided lead vocals for a number KISS's most popular and memorable songs, including "Beth", "Black Diamond" and "Hard Luck Woman". Peter's "Catman" persona is an instantly recognizable icon in pop culture.
Criss first left KISS in 1980. Since then he's worked with other bands and released solo albums. He teamed up with KISS again for a few gigs in the 1990s and most recently in 2004. He was replaced by Eric Singer.
Criss, who was known as "Catman," released his last solo CD, titled "One for All", in 2007. Peter produced the album himself for the first time, and was joined by guest musicians that included keyboardist Paul Shaffer and bassist Will Lee of "Late Night with David Letterman". The album featured a range of styles, from rock and jazz to blues and Broadway, and included covers of "What a Difference a Day Makes" and "Send in the Clowns".
The four original members of KISS were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2014 by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello.
KISS did not perform — the Hall Of Fame wanted the original quartet only to play, while Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley insisted on the current lineup — which also includes guitarist Tommy Thayer — performing as well. In the end nobody won that battle.
