Peter Criss Built the Catman. KISS Fired Him and Kept It!

Peter Criss didn't just drum for KISS. He was the Catman — the heart, the soul, and the voice behind "Beth," the single biggest hit song KISS ever recorded. A ballad so powerful it pulled the band into the mainstream and went on to win a People's Choice Award. Peter Criss built that. He earned his face, his makeup, and his place in rock history. Then KISS took all three. This is the true story of how the corporate rock machine stripped a founding member of his Catman identity, rented his face to another man, and — in 2026 — sat Gene Simmons in front of a camera to deny Peter ever wrote the song that saved them. From the 1972 Brooklyn origins and the magic of "Beth," to the $300 Million Pop house sale in 2024, we break down exactly how KISS replaced Peter Criss and then made millions off his Catman. So who really wrote "Beth"? Legendary producer Bob Ezrin was in the room — and the truth doesn't match Gene's version. #kiss #PeterCriss #Catman #beth CHAPTERS 0:00 — The Meltdown in North Charleston (October 7, 2000) 1:18 — The Origin of the Catman (1972) 2:45 — How "Beth" Saved KISS (And Created Inner Friction) 4:12 — The First Crack: Enter Eric Carr & The Fox 5:35 — The 1996 Reunion & The $10,000 Pay Disparity 7:10 — The Erase: Renting Peter's Face to Eric Singer (2001) 8:55 — The $300 Million Pophouse Entertainment Sale (2024) 10:30 — The Final Dagger: Gene Simmons' 2026 Claims 12:15 — The Truth About Who Wrote "Beth" (Bob Ezrin Speaks) 🔺MERCH https://legendsbehindthekit.com 🔺X https://x.com/Stickzonthakit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... ⭕Test your drummer knowledge: https://lbtk-trivia.netlify.app Subscribe Now    / @legendsbehindthekit