Founding Kiss drummer Peter Criss’s new autobiography, Makeup to Breakup, tells the colorful tale of his life, from the streets of Brooklyn to the social clubs of New York City to the heights of rock ’n’ roll success and excess.

Kiss formed in 1973 and broke new ground with their elaborate makeup and live theatrics, eventually being known as one of the most iconic hard rock acts in music history. From an elevated perch on his pyrotechnic drum riser, “the Catman” had a unique vantage point on what to many was the greatest rock show of all time.

Besides being the band’s original drummer, Criss composed and sang the band’s biggest hit, “Beth,” but also faced the perils of stardom, including drug abuse, treatment in 1982, near-suicides, two broken marriages, and a hard-won battle with breast cancer.
 
 
Makeup to Breakup will be available October 23. Advertisement