The 9 Lives of Peter Criss
By: ATIJRoman@aol.com

Feel free to print this if you like. I wanted to address a letter to your readers who have many conflicting thoughts about Peter and KISS. Maybe, this will shed some light.

For the last week or so, there have been many stories about the departure/replacement of Peter Criss. Having done the narration on "The Eric Carr Story" and now a new tribute to KISS video being released at the end of the month, not to mention producing hundreds of hours of programming for the networks, I can share with all of you how the process works and why it happened the way it did.

Depending on whether you're in Peter's camp or Paul and Gene's, the reality is that KISS is a business-BIG business. Many feel that Peter was taken advantage of. Personally, I don't know how they act together when they're not on stage, when it's just them hanging out alone. I believe they are bickering brothers who may have problems with each other from time to time, but will stick like glue if an outsider dares to disrupt the harmony.. Back to business...

From 1973-75, KISS was four guys with a mission. Four BROKE guys who wanted to turn the world upside down. And they did. Then the money started rolling in, the publicists, the merchandisers, the promoters. Everybody was riding the KISS coattail. KISS has survived for 28 years by its own accord and even their "down time" in the early 80's is still a level that many bands would be envious to achieve. Given all that for so many years, how can one expect the hands of time to go back to when they had none of that? You may think they do with the make-up, set list, etc. But, the hunger of ambition-of wanting to make it- was not part of the reunion tour. They had made it and wanted to prove to everybody that they never lost it.

Peter Criss and Ace Frehley were partners in the KISS organization. Both sold their interests. Ace early on and Peter around 1988. Paul and Gene took over the organization for better and for worse. And they've seen both. When the reunion began in 1996, Peter and Ace were "hired" back to play again. Did anyone expect a four way cut in profits? If you were the president of your company and you bought out your partners 20 years ago and suddenly they came back, would you hand over 50% of the business that you kept afloat? No. Same for Gene and Paul. You cannot blame them for protecting their interests. The reunion was not about reforming a musical group. It was about business because KISS ceased being a musical group in April 1996. They became the phenomenon attributed to legends and will always be from now until the end of time.

This is not about right or wrong. What Peter was negotiating for was a bigger piece of the pie, maybe even another song on the tour. Although I don't know what was in those negotiations, it was clear that Peter was asking for more than Gene and Paul could give. I also believe that both sides have well-paid advisors that tell them what they should do. The result was that an agreement could not be made. Nobody hates each other. It just became a situation that didn't resolve itself in time for the next tour.

And that's why Eric Singer is involved. This is not about spite. It's about promoters, contractual obligations, and money spent on the upcoming shows in Japan and Australia. You can't cancel at this point without money being lost and lawsuits flying. Besides the fans deserve 3/4 of KISS at least. I would be more upset to see NO KISS than at least some KISS.

I would like to take this moment to applaud Peter. It hasn't been easy for him both physically and sometimes emotionally. I think deep down each band member would like to go back to the freedom of 1975 when everything just began to click. In 1996, Peter stepped up to the challenge, bad wrists and all, and played his heart out. He may not be a power drummer or have a double kick set, but he is the backbone of KISS. His style of drumming gave KISS that unique sound. Many drummers sound alike. But John Bonham, Ginger Baker, Keith Moon, and Peter Criss are totally distinct. That's real talent. So, here's to you Pete!

And here's to Gene, Ace and Paul. It's been a great ride! Thanks for the last 28 years. Hopefully, all four of you will be back for the final curtain.

But if not, it's just business.

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