Peter Criss
George Peter John Criscuola (born December 20, 1945), better known by his stage name Peter Criss, is a retired American musician, best known as a co-founder, original drummer, and an occasional vocalist of the hard rock band Kiss. Criss established the Catman character for his Kiss persona. In 2014, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Kiss.[1]
Peter Criss
George Peter John Criscuola
"The Catman"
December 20, 1945
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Musician
- Drums
- percussion
- vocals
1964–2017
Early years[edit]
Criss was born in Brooklyn, New York,[2] to Loretta and Joseph Criscuola, who raised their five children (of whom Peter was the eldest) as Roman Catholics.[3] Joseph Criscuola's family came from Scafati, Salerno, Italy. Criss grew up in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn[4][5] and was a childhood friend of Jerry Nolan, who would later find success as the drummer of the New York Dolls.[6] He was an avid art student and a swing aficionado.[7] While playing with bandleader Joey Greco, Criss ended up studying under his idol, Gene Krupa, at the Metropole Club in New York.[8]
Music career[edit]
Chelsea[edit]
Criss was involved with several bands through the mid- to late 1960s, including Chelsea, who had a two-album deal with Decca Records; the group released a self-titled album in 1970. They never recorded a second album, and in August 1971 became Lips (a trio consisting of Criss and his Chelsea bandmates Michael Benvenga and Stan Penridge). By the spring of 1972, Lips was reduced to just the duo of Criss and Penridge.[9]
In 1973, Pete Shepley and Mike Brand recorded an unreleased album which included post-Chelsea Michael Benvenga, and pre-Kiss Peter Criss and Gene Simmons as session musicians. It was titled Captain Sanity.[10][11]
Another early band featuring Criss was The Sounds of Soul, notable for also featuring future New York Dolls drummer Jerry Nolan and The Elegants guitarist Joe Lucenti.
Personal life[edit]
As of November 2008, Criss has been married three times: Lydia Di Leonardo (1970–79); fashion model Debra Jensen (1979–94); and Gigi Criss (since May 1998).[26] Criss has a daughter, Jenilee, born in 1981.[26]
Criss was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008.[27] While working out, he noticed a lump on his chest that prompted him to visit a doctor. He was successfully treated with a lumpectomy.[28]
Criss released his autobiography, Makeup to Breakup: My Life In and Out of Kiss, co-written with author Larry Sloman, in late 2012. In 2017, Criss made the decision to retire from touring at the age of 71.[29]
Acting roles[edit]
In addition to playing himself in 1978's Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park and 1999's Detroit Rock City, Criss has appeared on two television programs in minor roles.
In 2002, he appeared in two episodes of the HBO prison drama Oz as inmate Martin Montgomery. He played the role of Mike in the motion picture about the JFK assassination, Frame of Mind.[30]
Criss played himself, as well as the cameo role of "Nice Cop", in "...Thirteen Years Later", the 1998 third-season Halloween episode of Millennium.[31]