KISS Legend Peter Criss Storms Back with Star-Studded Solo Album

Mia Reynolds, 4/26/2025Peter Criss, the original drummer of Kiss, is back with a star-studded solo album featuring legends like John 5 and Billy Sheehan. As Kiss concludes their final tour, Criss’s return signals a compelling new chapter in rock, blending classic elements with fresh energy ahead of its 2025 release.

Rock's Catman Prowls Again: Peter Criss Returns with Star-Studded Solo Album

Sometimes the best stories in rock aren't about endings, but unexpected new beginnings. Just when everyone thought the final curtain had fallen on Peter Criss's musical journey, the original Kiss drummer is proving there's still plenty of life left in the Catman's tale.

Word dropped last week that Criss — yeah, the voice behind that tear-jerking classic "Beth" — is stepping back into the spotlight with his first solo venture since 2007. Talk about perfect timing, right? With Kiss hanging up their platform boots at Madison Square Garden just months ago, this announcement feels like the universe throwing rock fans a much-needed bone.

The album's shaping up to be quite the family reunion of rock royalty. Criss has assembled what you might call a dream team: guitar wizard John 5 (who's been absolutely everywhere lately), the eternally groove-heavy Billy Sheehan, Piggy D holding down the low end, and — in what might be the most intriguing wild card — Paul Shaffer bringing his B3 and piano magic to the mix. Not too shabby for a "comeback" record.

Barry Pointer's sliding into the producer's chair alongside Criss, and that's where things get really interesting. Here's a guy who's somehow managed to work with both Ozzy and Dolly Parton — talk about range. The pairing suggests we might be in for something that honors the old while embracing the new. As they say in the business, you can't fake that kind of chemistry.

Let's be real, though. The Kiss saga — particularly Criss's role in it — reads like a rock 'n' roll soap opera. Those dramatic exits, the tension with Gene and Paul (especially that whole studio drummer debacle), the bittersweet Rock Hall moment in 2014... it's enough material for a Netflix series. Or three.

"I never thought this could happen in my life," Criss said during that Hall of Fame speech. There was something raw and honest in those words that still resonates. Even Gene Simmons — never one to mince words — recently acknowledged on Rick Rubin's podcast what many fans have always known: those first few years of Kiss were lightning in a bottle, powered equally by all four original members.

The timing of this release feels particularly poetic. Just as the dust settles on Kiss's final bow, here comes the Catman, prowling back into the spotlight. Remember that 2017 show at the Cutting Room? The one everyone thought was his swan song? Turns out it was more of an intermission.

Looking ahead to the fall 2025 release, there's something beautifully defiant about this whole endeavor. In an era where AI-generated music is becoming a thing (yeah, we're looking at you, "lost" Beatles track), there's something refreshingly human about a rock veteran getting the band back together for one more ride.

For the true believers, this isn't just another album announcement — it's proof that rock 'n' roll's spirit of rebellion is alive and well. Even after the greasepaint fades and the smoke machines run dry, sometimes the most compelling chapters are the ones nobody saw coming.

The Catman's got at least one more life left. And from the looks of things, he's planning to make it count.

Rock's Catman Prowls Again: Peter Criss Returns with Star-Studded Solo AlbumSometimes the best stories in rock aren't about endings, but unexpected new beginnings. Just when everyone thought the final curtain had fallen on Peter Criss's musical journey, the original Kiss drummer is proving there's still plenty of life left in the Catman's tale.Word dropped last week that Criss — yeah, the voice behind that tear-jerking classic "Beth" — is stepping back into the spotlight with his first solo venture since 2007. Talk about perfect timing, right? With Kiss hanging up their platform boots at Madison Square Garden just months ago, this announcement feels like the universe throwing rock fans a much-needed bone.The album's shaping up to be quite the family reunion of rock royalty. Criss has assembled what you might call a dream team: guitar wizard John 5 (who's been absolutely everywhere lately), the eternally groove-heavy Billy Sheehan, Piggy D holding down the low end, and — in what might be the most intriguing wild card — Paul Shaffer bringing his B3 and piano magic to the mix. Not too shabby for a "comeback" record.Barry Pointer's sliding into the producer's chair alongside Criss, and that's where things get really interesting. Here's a guy who's somehow managed to work with both Ozzy and Dolly Parton — talk about range. The pairing suggests we might be in for something that honors the old while embracing the new. As they say in the business, you can't fake that kind of chemistry.Let's be real, though. The Kiss saga — particularly Criss's role in it — reads like a rock 'n' roll soap opera. Those dramatic exits, the tension with Gene and Paul (especially that whole studio drummer debacle), the bittersweet Rock Hall moment in 2014... it's enough material for a Netflix series. Or three."I never thought this could happen in my life," Criss said during that Hall of Fame speech. There was something raw and honest in those words that still resonates. Even Gene Simmons — never one to mince words — recently acknowledged on Rick Rubin's podcast what many fans have always known: those first few years of Kiss were lightning in a bottle, powered equally by all four original members.The timing of this release feels particularly poetic. Just as the dust settles on Kiss's final bow, here comes the Catman, prowling back into the spotlight. Remember that 2017 show at the Cutting Room? The one everyone thought was his swan song? Turns out it was more of an intermission.Looking ahead to the fall 2025 release, there's something beautifully defiant about this whole endeavor. In an era where AI-generated music is becoming a thing (yeah, we're looking at you, "lost" Beatles track), there's something refreshingly human about a rock veteran getting the band back together for one more ride.For the true believers, this isn't just another album announcement — it's proof that rock 'n' roll's spirit of rebellion is alive and well. Even after the greasepaint fades and the smoke machines run dry, sometimes the most compelling chapters are the ones nobody saw coming.The Catman's got at least one more life left. And from the looks of things, he's planning to make it count.