Gene Simmons is never one to hold back his words. The KISS co-founder has spent decades shaping rock history, but along the way, he’s also been brutally honest about the ups and downs of the band. And now, in a recent interview, he’s throwing some serious shade at former drummer Peter Criss—calling him a ‘black cloud’ over KISS.
During a recent interview on The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan, Gene Simmons didn’t hold back when discussing Peter Criss’s multiple exits from KISS. He referred to the Catman as a ‘black cloud’ over the band.
KISS was riding high in the late ‘70s, but behind the scenes, things were falling apart. Peter Criss’s struggles with addiction and creative differences made it impossible for him to continue. By the time 1980 rolled around, his drumming was so unreliable that session musicians secretly recorded parts of the Dynasty and Unmasked albums in his place.”
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley had enough. Criss was officially out of the band, and Eric Carr was brought in to replace him. It was the end of the original lineup—at least, for a while.
Fast forward to 1996. KISS was back, and the legendary Alive/Worldwide reunion tour was a massive success. The original four members—Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss—were back in full makeup, and fans couldn’t get enough. But behind the scenes, tensions were rising again.
Criss left over a contract dispute and was replaced by Eric Singer in 2001. He rejoined the band in late 2002 and appeared on the Kiss Symphony: Alive IV DVD and CD before departing from Kiss again in March 2004. The band had opted not to renew his contract following the Rocksimus Maximus Tour. He was once again replaced by Singer, who assumed the “Catman” persona.
