While the controversy over KISS not performing at their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame next month continues, drummer Peter Criss is sharing his thoughts on the situation in the newest episode of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show.
"I got a call from [KISS leaders] Gene [Simmons] and Paul [Stanley], which I hadn't got a call from them in many, many, many, many, many moons, including when I had my cancer," Criss explains to That Metal Show hosts Eddie Trunk, Don Jamieson and Jim Florentine. "And so, all of a sudden, I get a call and I'm being congratulated. 'We're gonna have fun.' And I'm thinking… And I know, as I wrote in my book, there's a lot of bad blood, and I just don't trust [those guys] anymore. And I took it with a grain of salt and said, 'Maybe.' But then again, I had to go back and read the book myself and go, 'What, are you crazy? Nothing's changing. It doesn't matter what goes on. Something's gonna happen.' And I said to [my wife], 'It sounds too good to be true.'"
On February 23, KISS released a statement explaining their decision not to reunite the original lineup and to not perform at the event (read it here) after guitarist Ace Frehley broke the news on Trunk’s radio show (details here) and Criss released a statement of his own (here).
"The fact that we're not performing is heartbreaking,” Criss says. “I wanted to. I thought we were going to. I was all up for it. I was crazy enough to think, even if I had to get back in the 'Cat' outfit, I would have been proud to do it. Because, whether in or out of makeup, I'll always be the 'Catman.'"
This weekend’s That Metal Show ends with Criss addressing the KISS Army, telling them how sad he is that he won’t be able to play for them one more time and, as he so eloquently says to Paul and Gene, “What’s wrong with giving ten minutes of your time, for the forty years that you’ve given us?”
Episode ten of That Metal Show airs on VH1 Classic this Saturday, March 22 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.
On April 10, the original lineup of KISS will be inducted into the Rock Hall along with Nirvana, Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, Cat Stevens and Linda Ronstadt; the ceremony will be held at New York’s Barclays Center and HBO will record the event for broadcast in May.
See also:
Ace Frehley says current KISS lineup is half a cover band
KISS announce 40th anniversary releases
KISS respond to comments by Rock Hall CEO
Rock Hall defends decision to induct founding KISS lineup only
Search KISS at hennemusic