Peter Criss

My next Overcoming the Odds article is on the original and legendary drummer of Rock Band Kiss, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Peter Criss.  Donning the original makeup and character of the Catman, Peter Criss's upbringing was not easy.  Growing up in Brooklyn, Peter Criss was subjected to Gangs and the Street life.  Music would be his outlet and escape.  Influenced by Jazz and Soul and later by Rock and Roll, Peter Criss began playing the drums.  Discovered by Gene Klein (Gene Simmons) and Stanley Eisen (Paul Stanley), Peter Criss would be joined by Paul Frehley (Ace) to form the Supergroup Kiss. The band Kiss would become one of the biggest bands of the 1970s selling millions of records and becoming a huge concert draw.  Peter Criss sang the No. 1 Hit "Beth" off of Kiss's album Destroyer.  However, behind the scenes, Peter Criss was having professional difficulties with his band mates.  In addition, he began abusing drugs and alcohol and his own marriage was ending. He even had a bad car accident in the late 70s. Regardless of whom was at fault or whose story you believe, Peter Criss left the band in the early 80s and did not receive royalties off of what he considered his 'fair share' of the band.  Struggling with a solo career in the 1980's, Peter Criss was sucked back into the world of drugs and alcohol.  In the 90's, Peter Criss admits he did not have much money and his second marriage came to an end.  He was at the verge of suicide at his LA apartment in 1994 when an earthquake disrupted his fateful plans.  Thankfully, Peter Criss was contacted by his old band mates, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley to reunite, along with Ace Frehley, for a 5 year reunion of the band Kiss.  In 1996, Kiss returned in full makeup and had Huge Grossing Worldwide Reunion Tour putting them Makeup Version of the band back in the spotlight.  They say History repeats itself and it did so with the original rendition of Kiss.  The fighting over money returned and Peter Criss claims he wasnt given his 'fair share.'  In addition, the riggers of touring brought about drug use.  To make things worse, Peter Criss claims band mate Ace Frehley stabbed him in the back over the money deal.  Out of all his fellow band mates, Peter Criss claims to have gotten along with Ace the best, but that relationship deteriorated.  Peter was able to continue touring through the Pyscho Circus Tour but by the end of the band's US Leg of the  Farewell Tour, he had reached monumental contract disagreements with the band that forced him to cut the tour short.  In fact, Peter Criss had began to don a tear drop in his makeup to indicate the problems he was having.  On the last show of the US leg of the Farewell Tour, Peter Criss destroyed his drum kit out of frustration.  For whatever reason, the band asked him to come back for a Co Headling Tour with Aerosmith in 2003.  Peter Criss admitted to still having problems with the band as they claimed he couldnt play anymore.  Nonetheless, he enjoyed being in the Catman makeup just for one last time.  Afterwards, Peter left the spotlight but would not be immune to problems.  In 2008, while working out, Peter Criss noticed a lump on his left breast, which his doctors discovered was breast cancer.  He was successfully treated with a lumpectomy.  To this day, Peter Criss supports Breast Cancer Awareness for both men and women.  In addition, Peter Criss has always had a Faith in God that was elevated after his stint with Breast Cancer.  This is ironic considering that certain critics associated Kiss with the devil.  Attending Catholic School while a child, Peter learned the importance of God at a young age.  In his Autobriogaphy, Makeup to Breakup: My Life in and out of Kiss, Peter even remembers times during his days with Kiss when he would sit down at night and pray.  Thats one of the reasons he kept a cross around his neck. 

Peter Criss Overcame the Odds of a rough childhood, two failed marriages, drug and alcohol abuse, car accidents, the prices of fame and Breast Cancer.  Regardless of whom is at fault, Financial and Contractual Disputes are hard on anyone involved.  In 2014, Kiss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Media disputes between Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Ace Frehely lingered.  Peter took the high road and didnt say much, although he attended the ceremony to take his rightful place in Rock and Roll History.  Peter Criss remains married to his third wife Gigi to his day and has one grown daughter.

They say a cat has Nine Lives.  The Catman persona that Peter Criss portrayed was synonymous with the struggles he Overcame.