Original KISS Drummer PETER CRISS: ‘I Think Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Over’ what I see today doesn’t rock my cradle and doesn’t do anything for me, and I don’t care for a lot of the music.”
During a brand new interview with Hi-Fi Way: The Pop Chronicles, original KISS drummer Peter Criss was asked if he gets worried about the future of rock ‘n’ roll and where it is going. He responded: “I think rock ‘n’ roll is over, personally. I’m a 21st Century guy and I have been around since the day that THE BEATLES were on stage, I’ve been around when music was Motown… I’ve been around! What’s going on today ain’t my cup tea, and that’s another reason why I just want to do my shows and call it a day, because the great days of rock is over. The ’60s and ’70s were the times to be around. I saw Jimi Hendrix, I saw the real WHO, the real [LED] ZEPPELIN, THE BEATLES and seen THE [ROLLING] STONES many times now that I know them and we’re friends. Over the years, a lot has happened to me and I got to see all these great acts, and what I see today doesn’t rock my cradle and doesn’t do anything for me, and I don’t care for a lot of the music.”
He continued: “I think you had to be really creative back then and put out great album covers; you had to spend more time doing things. Even playing on stage for the first time, we had to come up with all those crazy stunts and levitating drums. We were early pioneers, and no one was doing that when we started out. Now everyone does it, so it isn’t big news anymore.
“It is time for me to get off the train, as it’s not a great ride anymore. I don’t go out to concerts much anymore because I don’t enjoy myself because I get constantly harassed, people with phones wanting to take pictures. I can’t really sit and enjoy the concert or have a good time, so I’m more of a homebody these days. The world has changed, my friend.”
Criss is set to say farewell later this year with a pair of convention appearances that are being billed as his final live performances. He told Hi-Fi Way: The Pop Chronicles about his decision to call it quits: “Well, you know, everything must end. I have come to the point in my life where I am 71, and so is [Eric] Clapton, [Mick] Jagger, Rod Stewart and Paul McCartney. We’re all in that age bracket, and I have seen a lot of us leaving, and that upsets me. I’m in great health, feeling dynamite and it has been a long time since I’ve felt excited about anything like wanting to play and sing and really enjoy myself.
“There’s other things I want to do. Again, I’m 71. I’m working on a kids’ book, I have a rock album I couldn’t finish when I got cancer at the time and now I’m able to finish it. It will be out next year. And there’s other things I want to do now with my family and my wife. I think you need to know when to say, ‘Okay, I want to have fun and enjoy the rest of my other life that I have.'”
In addition to playing drums in the band, Peter provided lead vocals for a number KISS‘s most popular and memorable songs, including “Beth”, “Black Diamond” and “Hard Luck Woman”. Peter‘s “Catman” persona is an instantly recognizable icon in pop culture.
Criss first left KISS in 1980. Since then he’s worked with other bands and released solo albums. He teamed up with KISS again for a reunion tour in the 1990s and most recently in 2004. He was replaced by Eric Singer.
The four original members of KISS were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2014 by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello.
KISS did not perform — the Hall Of Fame wanted the original quartet only to play, while Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley insisted on the current lineup — which also includes guitarist Tommy Thayer — performing as well. In the end, nobody won that battle
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