Original KISS drummer Peter Criss joined frontman Rob Zombie on stage last night (Saturday, May 10th) at 93.3 WMMR MMR*B*Q 2014 at Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, New Jersey to perform a cover of the KISS classic God Of Thunder.
According to blabbermouth.net, Zombie introduced Criss by telling the audience: “Ladies and gentlemen, if you are anything like me, you were very disappointed a little while ago, because I tuned into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and I did not get to see my favorite drummer get behind the motherfucking drums. So tonight, it is our great honor to bring to you the one and only Catman, Mr. Peter Criss.” Watch fan filmed footage below.
Rob Zombie has just completed a short 12-stop tour and will next head over to Europe for a run of festival dates beginning with the Sweden Rock Festival on June 5th.
Zombie is promoting the upcoming release of his first-ever concert Blu-ray/DVD, The Zombie Horror Picture Show, which will be released on May 19th.
143 Responses
good job rob, it’s nice to see somebody still recognizes and appreciates a true legend, the one & only real catman, peter criss!
That’s funny, Ed!!!
All jokes aside, though it’s sad, because longtime listeners like myself know how much you really love KISS.
So what does Criss do in ’14?
I predict that he will cry more about eric singer. He will also threaten to release another book and album that will never see the light of day. Also will cry about eric wearing his make up which he was stupid enough to give up the rights to ….so stay tuned
And Peter, once again, needs a drummer to back him up. Amazing Eddie. Seriously, let it go. Eric Singer is my Catman.
And what was Rob supposed to do, Get rid of his drummer? Get a life, dude.
His drummer could have stepped off the stage for that one song; out of respect for the so-called “legend,” Georgie Crisscoula.
Peter had his time,a few times with Kiss. Yes there is no doubt he was important early on and he has a unique charisma about him and influenced many drummers. He once wore the make-up proudly before he was so over it that he put a tear drop on his make-up. I enjoy the Kiss albums he actually appears on and I support him today for books or any albums he might come up with but in my opinion he is the 3rd best drummer Kiss has had. I loved Eric Carr and he was essential to the band in the 80s. But by far my favorite drummer is Eric Singer and he was my favorite since Badlands before he ever was in Kiss. He is unique in how he can play in his own style while still blending Carr and Peter. Most on here are Peter only fans or just Carr and Criss fans. I love all 3 but it’s just that Singer is my personal favorite. I may of course be in the minority and that’s fine. Not trying to argue or start fights. Just putting my 2 cents in as a Singer fan.
Eric Singer is a FANTASTIC drummer, but he shouldn’t be wearing Peter’s make-up. THAT’S the problem, period. I don’t care who “owns” what. That’s PETER’S image, just like the schoolboy is Angus Young’s. All 3 drummers made great contributions to the band, but if Eric Carr didn’t need to copy Peter’s identity, Eric Singer shouldn’t have to, either. Kiss used to be four personas that represented specific people, and now they’re just empty characters that anyone can play, and all they represent is a corporation, like Mayor McCheese and the Hamburgler represent McDonald’s. People either get that or they don’t. I’d rather see Eric Singer play with Alice Cooper where he can be himself, than play with Kiss where Paul and Gene make him dress up like Peter.
Bravo Rick!
There are two positions (unless you can think of a third)–there are those who see the makeup as an extension of their (Peter’s and Ace’s) personalities, and there are those who see the makeup as a character that someone worthy can wear and be a valid member of KISS. The makeup is no longer an extension of anyone’s personality–its four iconic images that even Paul and Gene are willing to pass on to their successors. Its not about picking on Peter or Ace–everyone loves them for what they contributed to KISS. Now Tommy and Eric are the ones and that’s preferable to me at this stage. Obviously, you believe the makeup is an extension of each member’s personality, but to say that no’one except Peter and Ace can be the Catman or the Spaceman is limiting yourself, not KISS. This is what happens when people get too caught up in the makeup and forget about the music–the number one most important thing about KISS.
I agree with your final statements that the music is the number one thing. However, the music created by the original four is still proven superior than anything since. In 6 1/2 years in the 70’s, the original band put out 7 studio albums, 2 live records and the solo albums. current band has put out 2 original albums in the last 14+ years, neither of which can hold their own compared to the 70’s material. If talent and creativity were really that important to Paul and Gene, they would utilize Tommy and Eric’s talent to put out more records with hopefully better material. Tommy and Eric have talent, and I wouldn’t dispute this, but it’s wasted by replicating other musicians material. I agree with a lot of what Paul said about the RRHOF, but when he spoke about bands that had multiple generations of musicians inducted as opposed to just original members, he was oblivious to the fact that bands like the Dead and The Stones, etc, who brought in replacement members, allowed those new members to “be themselves”, continue creating and not replicas of someone previous. If the music is most important, and I agree, then Tommy and Eric should have their own personas. What Paul and Gene will not come out and say is that there is more money is continuing the with the old icons as opposed to new (as was realized with the Fox and The Ankh). But it is Gene and Paul’s band – they have the legal right to do what they want. But sometimes principle should take precedent over $. I would love to give credit to Eric and Tommy for their contributions, but outside of replication, there aren’t any. There’s a reason why over 85% of a setlist is 70’s material. I realize Paul and Gene say the icons are bigger than any member and that you have to earn the right to wear the makeup. That’s just a brand saving soundbite. Maybe there will be someone in Paul or Gene’s makeup one day, like he said. But I really, really, really doubt it. They would never give up that control and power. It’s just an excuse to cover the fact that they just don’t want to deal with Ace and Peter anymore.
If you don’t care “who owns what ” then you don’t understand that Kiss is a business, as is every other rock band. The current status of the band should not be based on a fond memory of your childhood when you heard Baby Driver for the first time back in 1977.
KISS lost it’s swing when Peter left, and without swing it’s not Rock ‘N’ Roll.
Yes, the audience stopped swing dancing to Let Me Go Rock and Roll after he left.
I respect your opinion and would never deprive you of it, so kudos to you and Eric Singer. However, aside from the non-stop touring, I don’t think Kiss has been relevant with Singer at all, from a musical standpoint. I admit that he might be a better drummer than Criss, but that is never a direct component of success. Chemistry is what you had with the original four. I’m sure there are a dozen ‘harder’ drummers who could do things with double pedals and such that Charlie Watts had never conceived of, but who cares – he’s the Stones drummer – their backbone. If it was only a matter of talent, Gene would never be allowed to write songs anymore and Paul would be kicked out of the band based on the decline of his voice. I realize the argument that Tommy and Eric have been in the band as long as any other drummer and lead guitar, but what have they actually created. 2 less than exciting albums that have not the magic or chemistry of the the 70’s material. Tommy and Eric’s roles were never meant to be original and creative by Paul and Gene. If they were, they would have their own persona. Gene and Paul are smart enough to know what sells is the Starchild, Spaceman, Catman and Demon. They make statements about how the new lineup is so great, but continue to tour rehashing the old material, rarely straying from the material that the original four created. Fact is, Gene and Paul haven’t written together since before Dynasty. In summation, I would never argue against your opinion that Singer is an excellent drummer. I would argue that you won’t see how good he is as long as he’s an continuous understudy in the role of the Catman.
ERIC SINGER AS “the Catman” LOL what a joke
LOL–well, he is the Catman so get used to it or go get Peter Criss’s greatest hits.
Or Listen to Eric’s greatest hits….A blank CD
I’m sorry but I looked for Peter Criss’ greatest hits and I couldn’t find it. Perhaps they are all sold out. No, that’s not it. Hmmmm why is that ? Let me search under the name of Georgie Crisscoula. I’ll get back to you.
There is only 1 catman. All others who believe otherwise never understood what it was all about to begin with. gene and Paul just love saying things like “When Mickey Mantle retired, they replaced him, they moved on”. Well, I thought that the Yankees were and are a franchise that has a name FIRST, then picks the players. Kiss were 4 individuals who designed their own personas based on their feelings and things that they liked. THEN they chose a band name that suited them. KISS is unique, and no matter how much G&P try to convince the public, KISS will always be Gene, Paul, Peter, Ace in the minds of the masses. They know this very well. Just look at the success of the reunion tour in ’96-’97. The fact alone that when you say “Ace” it’s like saying “Ringo”. EVERYBODY gets it. Eric and Tommy are great players and nice people but are not icons. That’s okay. There’s only one other band in pop music history that has that “something special”, and that’s the original KISS and yes, the fab four. Nobody else has that uniqueness. NOBODY.
You said the masses? THE MASSES? Who are you speaking for? NOT the masses. At best, maybe half of everyone who likes/liked KISS. After the RRHOF induction the number of “likes” went down by roughly 2 million. It went from 14 to 12 million. What does that tell you? Don’t forget about the other “masses” or the rest of the world who like the current lineup.
Somebody who really gets it and I’m not bein’ sarcastic.
I actually agree in general with what you are saying…where I deviate from that line of thinking though is, I don’t dislike Gene and Paul for continuing the band. I personally haven’t seen the band since the Farewell tour…and won’t but I certainly don’t begrudge fans for seeing this version of Kiss.
Further, Gene and Paul (notably Paul) have given their life to carrying Kiss on…so why shouldn’t they do just that? And why shouldn’t they use Peter and Ace’s characters? Again, totally agree with those images being iconic but Ace and Peter willingly gave them up and…and if the fans still enjoy it, knowing it’s not Ace and Peter (and let’s face it, any fan not knowing that is a moron) and still are buying what they are selling then great for Kiss.
I don’t like it so it’s simple, I don’t go anymore nor do I buy the new music but I fully, 100% support Gene and Paul’s right to do what they want and I’ll always be a fan of Kiss. And if those fans that still attend dig it…that’s great, have fun.
I think this was great! I’d like to see Peter perform more often!
So would Peter.