Welcome to the 9 Lives of Peter Criss

http://www.kissfaq.com/bandology/peter.html


as noted on that site, "While some are a matter of rumor, or in some cases, conjecture, other's details come from better constructed sources."

STARS (c.1959)
If this could even be called a group, then it would be one step down from a gang - a goup of kids hanging out on street corners singing. Other members of any, if any, lineup are unknown.

JOEY GRECO & THE "IN" CROWD (c.1963)
Peter got the "gig" by filling in for Joey's drummer who had broken his leg. Apart from Joey on guitar/vocals, the rest of the lineup is unknown. It is possible that Peter replaced Bobbie Clarke.


THE BARRACUDAS (<1966 - Early 1967)
Little known about this band except that they cut an independent single. Since the songs on the single were written by Carlos Cancel, it is possible that he was a member of the band.


SOUNDS OF SOUL (Early 1967 - Spring 1968)
soul band, playing R&B, this band did demo recording

THE BROTHERHOOD (Spring 1968 - Late 1968)
Since the band that followed The Brotherhood included members from Sounds Of Soul, it is possible that there was simply a band name change, or that some members of that band were also members of The Brotherhood.


THE VINTAGE (Late 1968 - Late 1969)
This band won a talent show at the Academy of Music in January 1969.

NAUTILUS (Late 1969-Mid 1970)
Members from this band would be part of the jam band that Peter played with at his wedding in January 1970.

CHELSEA #1 (Late 1970-Jan. 1971)
How Peter hooked up with this band is unclear. After joining Chelsea in late 1968 the band managed to secure a 2 record deal on Decca Records, distributed via MCA. When the first album was released it did so poorly that Aridas quit. Michael Benvenga had been in "The Wall" which played the Brooklyn music scene prior to Chelsea, but the other member's pedigree's are unknown. It would not be surprising if Shepley/Brand had not worked together prior to Chelsea.


CHELSEA #2 (Jan. 1971-Aug. 1971)
Replacing Chris Aridas with Stan Penridge brought a new creativity to both the acoustic and electric factions within Chelsea, but while he would be able to work with both Peter/Mike pairs, his contributions would not save the band when producer Lewis Merenstein concentrated more on Van Morrison

LIPS #1 (Aug. 1971-Early 1972)
Lips was born the night Chelsea died, when the trio performed at the Yellow Front Saloon in Fort Lee, NJ when Shepley and Brand were late. While the material they would develop was similar to the material Chelsea had done, several later KISS songs were born in this period. When he saw that the band was going nowhere, Michael Benvenga, quit going on to do session work before marrying in 1975. He would pass away in 1977, aged 28. The band would do one demo recording with session guitarist John Amato assisting.

LIPS #1 (Early 1972-Mar. 1973)
Peter Cris Stan Penridge
Drums/Vocals Guitar/Vocals

By the time that Lips were reduced to a duo Peter and Stan were still trying to get a recording deal, never with any luck. Peter and Stan would continue to gig occassionally, even after the beginnings of KISS...

WICKED LESTER #3 (Sept. 1972-Dec. 1972)
Initially as a power trio, Gene and Paul, would for some time be playing with two bands called Wicked Lester. The lineup with Peter was their new vision for the musical development which, following the addition of a lead guitarist, would become KISS.