Kiss’ Catman on New Album & Kennedy Center Honor
Kiss’ Catman on New Album & Kennedy Center Honor
December 2025 has officially become the most significant month in the history of the "Catman." For Peter Criss, the original drummer and founding member of KISS, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of high-stakes nostalgia, bittersweet reunions, and a long-awaited return to his first love: making music.
From standing in the White House to celebrating his 80th birthday with a brand-new solo album, Peter Criss is proving that legends don't just fade away—they take a bow when the spotlight is brightest.
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Bittersweet Reunion
On December 7, 2025, the halls of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., were filled with a peculiar mix of greasepaint and grandeur. KISS was officially inducted into the 48th class of the Kennedy Center Honors, joining the ranks of George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford, and Sylvester Stallone.
For Peter, the ceremony was a "dream come true" for a kid from the streets of Brooklyn. Clad in a tuxedo but still possessing that rock-and-roll glint in his eye, Criss walked the red carpet alongside Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. It was a rare public display of unity for the surviving original members, but the air was thick with the absence of their brother-in-arms, Ace Frehley.
"I really miss my brother Ace. We were extremely close. I’m still mourning him. I still can’t believe he’s gone," Criss told reporters at the event.
Honors and Heartache
The honor came just two months after the tragic passing of Ace Frehley in October 2025. During the ceremony, an empty chair was reserved for the "Spaceman," with his medallion draped over the back. In a moving gesture, President Trump presented the medal to Ace’s daughter, Monique, as the band looked on.
The tribute performances brought the house down:
Marcus King delivered a soulful, gritty rendition of Peter’s signature hit, "Beth."
Garth Brooks surprised the crowd with a high-octane cover of "Shout It Out Loud."
Cheap Trick closed the tribute with a quintessential version of "Rock and Roll All Nite," turning the prestigious opera house into a 1970s arena.
The New Album: ‘Peter Criss’ (2025)
Just twelve days after the D.C. festivities, Peter dropped a second bombshell: his first solo album in 18 years. Titled simply ‘Peter Criss’, the record arrived on December 19, 2025—exactly one day before his 80th birthday.
The album is a labor of love that Peter has been quietly refining since 2008. Teaming up with co-producer Barry Pointer, Peter deconstructed older recordings, kept his original drum tracks, and brought in a "who’s who" of rock royalty to fill out the sound.
The Sonic Landscape
Fans expecting a pure heavy metal record might be surprised. True to Peter's roots, the album is a blend of hard rock, swing, and blues.
"Creepy Crawlers": Featuring the virtuosic guitar work of John 5, this track is a modern horror-rock standout that Peter described as a tribute to his love for classic monster movies.
"Rock, Rockin' Rock & Roll": A high-energy anthem featuring Billy Sheehan on bass and Paul Shaffer on keyboards.
"Murder": A gritty, mid-tempo track that highlights Peter's signature rasp—a voice that has aged like fine bourbon.
| Notable Collaborators | Role |
| Billy Sheehan | Bass Guitar (Multiple Tracks) |
| John 5 | Lead Guitar on "Creepy Crawlers" |
| Paul Shaffer | Keyboards & Organ |
| Barry Pointer | Co-Producer |
The $1,000 Download Controversy
The album launch wasn't without its "KISS-style" drama. Shortly after the release, reports swirled that the digital download on Peter’s Bandcamp page was priced at a staggering $1,000. The listing included a note saying, "Digital purchases are discouraged. That's why the high price."
Peter was quick to clear the air via Instagram, explaining that the pricing was a technical "disablement" strategy by his label to encourage fans to buy physical copies (vinyl and CD) rather than low-quality streams.
"I am not charging $1,000 for a download," Criss clarified. "I want the fans to have the real thing—the artwork, the lyrics, the physical record."
Milestone 80: The Catman's Legacy
On December 20, 2025, Peter Criss reached the 80-year milestone. In an industry that often discards its elders, Peter’s survival is as much a testament to his resilience as his music. Having battled cancer and survived the excesses of the 70s, he remains the "soul" of the KISS legacy.
As he told Billboard this week, "I’m a musician and always a musician first. God couldn’t have given me more stuff, for a kid from the streets of Brooklyn. I can’t believe I was in the White House. Holy mackerel."
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