The Outrageous Life of Legendary KISS Rockstar Gene Simmons

In 1980, KISS faced a major lineup change when Peter Criss left the band. As the original drummer and the “Catman” persona, Criss had been part of the classic chemistry that helped turn KISS into a phenomenon.

His exit marked the beginning of a long period of personnel changes and instability. The band still had its name, image, and loyal fans, but the original lineup was no longer intact. For Simmons and Paul Stanley, keeping KISS alive now meant protecting the brand while the foundation shifted.