Peter Criss

American musician, best known as the drummer of the American glam rock / metal band Kiss.

Born Peter George John Criscoula on December 20th, 1945 to Joe and Loretta Criscoula in Williamsburg Bronx, New York. Peter`s father loved jazz and introduced his son to music at an early age. As a child, Peter listened to his idol, Gene Krupa, and played an imaginary drumset made from household items. By thirteen, he was singing in a vocal group called The Stars. It was around this time that Peter`s father bought him his first real drum. Growing up in the streets of New York was tough on Peter, and he soon found himself in a gang and also in a little trouble. During the tough times, art had become a passion of his and Peter was able to leave the street for art school. Soon, though, he found that art didn`t satisfy him and he turned back to drumming fulltime. Peter worked to buy a real set of drums and began playing any style of music in any kind of band to survive. Many bands passed, but it was Chelsea that gave him a taste of short-lived success with a recording contract in 1969. Peter wouldn`t record again until the band Lips hit the studio in 1971, but they wouldn`t last. It was not long after Lips broke up, that Peter, desperate to make it, would place an ad in the Rolling Stone offering his drumming talent to anyone that would have him. He soon found himself chatting with Gene Klein on the phone. Not knowing what the future held for him, Peter agreed to an audition. Source: kissfreaks.com