Peter Criss

Peter George Criscoula (born December 20, 1945) a.k.a. Peter Criss, is best known as the drummer for the rock band KISS.

Related Topics:
December 20 - 1945 - Rock band - KISS

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Criss joined Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in the early 1970s as drummer for their band, Wicked Lester. The two musicians had answered an ad placed in a local paper by Criss, who was looking for a band. Wicked Lester recorded an album together, but as of 2002, it has never been released.

Related Topics:
Paul Stanley - Gene Simmons - 1970s - Wicked Lester - 2002

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KISS released their self-titled debut in February of 1974.

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Criss struggled with alcoholism through many of the years he was in the band. Although always credited as drummer, Criss did not play on most of the 1979 release, Dynasty, and did not play at all on 1980's Unmasked.

Related Topics:
1979 - 1980 - Unmasked

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In 1989, a Star article claimed that the drummer was a homeless alcoholic. The name of the man was Christopher Dickinson who claims that he was a Peter Criss impostor. Criss and Dickinson later got into their first interview on The Phil Donahue Show in 1991.

Related Topics:
1989 - Star - Christopher Dickinson - The Phil Donahue Show - 1991

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Criss left the band in the early 1980s and launched a solo career. Criss then reunited with KISS in the late 1990s, left again in 2000 and then once again rejoined the band. Before the 2004 "Rock The Nation" tour, Criss' contract was not extended and former KISS member Eric Singer returned as the band's drummer.

Related Topics:
1980s - 1990s - 2000 - 2004 - Eric Singer

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In early 2002, Criss had a role on the HBO series, Oz.

Related Topics:
2002 - HBO - Oz

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Peter Criss would sing "Beth" and throw roses to girls in the audience.

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