I lost Kiss war says Peter Criss

[METALPRIEST]

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Former Kiss drummer Peter Criss insists he’s a “casualty of war” and a victim of bullying at the hands of his former bandmates.

He says he descended into misery after Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley won control of the band – but one of the worst moments was when he fell out with Ace Frehley over money.

He tells SiriusXM via Blabbermouth: “I wrote the biggest hit the band had, and meanwhile I was always getting put down.

“The more we were going up the ladder of future and fame, the more it was swaying to Mr Simmons and Stanley. Ace and I were not getting our musical ideas is.

“It was always a battle. They started playing mind games. I didn’t get the great education the other two got – I don’t like games. I like genuine guys. They called it ‘battery’ if you read Gene’s book. Battering my brain.

“Today I’m still a casualty of rock and roll wars. Eventually they got their way and I was miserable.”

Criss says that by the time Kiss were a big name they were no longer the “brothers in arms” they’d once been. He and Frehley had always looked after each other – but that changed during the band’s 90s reunion when the drummer discovered he was being paid less than the guitarist.

“I would have done anything for Ace,” Criss says. “I stuck up for him through all the years. Gene used to tell him: ‘The best friend you’ve got in this band is Peter.’ Ace broke my heart. I was devastated – I couldn’t believe what went on.

“And it was again about the money. Money, power. It never was enough for those guys.”

Stanley recently discussed the infamous Kiss TV interview with Tom Snyder in 1979, in which Frehley upset his bandmates with his drunken behaviour. Now Criss recalls: “I had a ball.

“We finally had a great time in an interview – we finally enjoyed ourselves. I knew how pissed off Paul and Gene were and that made it even better.

“Tom had the best time of his life. When we got to the dressing room Ace passed out on the couch. Tom came in and said, ‘I want to thank you guys. When Ace wakes up, tell him I love him.’

“I got a feeling we should do it more often, because we got so much feedback from the fans: ‘It’s about time you and Ace spoke up.’ We tried – but it was always a fight to get supremacy of anything in that band.”​

 

[Khor1255]

Cool. Good to hear his side of the story. It is exactly as I thought it was. I mean, in that interview alone you can clearly see who is having fun and who is uptight. Sure enough they went down the road of 'anything for money' and in my opinion the music never recovered to it's flesh and heart days when they were regular guys you could relate to.

 

[METALPRIEST]

The old original material is the best, no doubt. I like Monster and Sonic Boom just fine, but the original material from the first 7 studio albums, live and 78 solo albums have more charm and honesty to them.

 

[That 70s Guy]

I wonder if Peter Criss and Bill Ward hang out.

 

[LG]

April Wine has a great song about this subject.

"Rock and Roll Is A Vicious Game" and that's the nature of the Beast.

But anyone who plays in a band or tries to make a professional sports team or land an acting gig, it's always the same. You have to be "Tuff Enuff" to make it.

 

[Khor1255]

Well, if the band you're in starts playing different tunes....

 

[DaKillerWolf]

It's stupid for Criss to say he was back stabbed by Ace just because was being paid more on the reunion. If you made a deal to tour for such and such amount of cash don't cry afterward because your pal got a better deal

 

[stepcousin]

April Wine has a great song about this subject.

"Rock and Roll Is A Vicious Game" and that's the nature of the Beast.

hey you there, nice April Wine reference

As far as Peter Criss's situation, it seems throughout rock history that drummers by and large seem to get the short end of the stick most of the time. Don't know why this is, it just seems that way.

 

[METALPRIEST]

It's stupid for Criss to say he was back stabbed by Ace just because was being paid more on the reunion. If you made a deal to tour for such and such amount of cash don't cry afterward because your pal got a better deal

I was thinking the same thing...it's not Ace's fault. Have your agent look over your contract better.

hey you there, nice April Wine reference

As far as Peter Criss's situation, it seems throughout rock history that drummers by and large seem to get the short end of the stick most of the time. Don't know why this is, it just seems that way.

That's good!!

 

[LG]

hey you there, nice April Wine reference

As far as Peter Criss's situation, it seems throughout rock history that drummers by and large seem to get the short end of the stick most of the time. Don't know why this is, it just seems that way.

Well said Stepcousin...

Funny thing is most drummers can kick the rest of the band's ass if it comes down to it. Takes a lot more energy/endurance hand eye co-ordination to play the drums than a guitar or swing a microphone...no offense MP.

Years ago Buckethead(Our Bucket not the famous one ) was complaining he had nothing but trouble finding a competent drummer, guitarists are all over the place, bassists plentiful, a vocalist a lot harder but a drummer who knew his craft almost impossible.

I love good drummers, they add so much to an album. I was playing an obscure Canadian band's record a couple days ago..."Illuminations" by Leggat and the drum kit sound on that recording is excellent, it jumps out at you.