Peter Criss recently opened up about the unusual audition process that led to him joining KISS. He shared details about Gene Simmons’ bizarre initial questions in an interview with Rock Candy Magazine.
The KISS drummer revealed the unconventional questions Simmons asked during their first phone conversation after Criss placed an ad in a local paper following the end of his previous bands Chelsea and Lips.
“I put an ad in a local paper [after my previous bands Chelsea and Lips were over] and that’s when [future KISS bassist/vocalist] Gene Simmons called,” Criss said. “He asked me, ‘Are you tall?’, ‘Are you good-looking?’, ‘Do you have long hair?’, ‘Are you willing to wear a dress and high heels?’, ‘Are you willing to wear lipstick?’ I couldn’t believe what he was asking me, but those questions fascinated me. I said to my wife at the time, ‘I’ve got to meet this guy.’”
Criss went on to describe how he prepared for their first in-person meeting at Electric Lady Studios in New York.
“We had been to London for our honeymoon not that long before and I’d found some really cool clothes there,” he continued. “So when I went down to Electric Lady Studios in New York to meet Gene and Paul for the first time, I was really dolled up… Gene told me later that day he thought I was a rock star going into the studio to make an album.”
These unusual questions weren’t random curiosities but reflected the band’s specific vision for their theatrical rock concept. The audition process that brought KISS together was far more extensive and methodical than many fans realize.
Louder Sound reported that the band auditioned close to 60 guitarists before finding their perfect match. The rigorous selection process took place at Electric Lady Studios. Simmons and Stanley were determined to find musicians who could match both their musical abilities and theatrical vision.
Height was particularly important to the founding members, as Ultimate Classic Rock noted. Both Simmons and Paul Stanley stood over 6 feet tall and wanted performers who could match their imposing stage presence when wearing stack heels. This physical requirement was just as crucial as musical talent in their selection process.
The band’s commitment to finding the right visual aesthetic extended beyond just height requirements. Louder Sound revealed that when Ace Frehley finally showed up for his audition, he arrived wearing mismatched sneakers. His musical prowess and stage presence ultimately won over the band despite his casual appearance.
The meticulous audition process at Electric Lady Studios became legendary in rock history. Dozens of hopeful musicians passed through before the classic KISS lineup was finally assembled. This revelation provides insight into the early formation of what would become known as ‘The Hottest Band In The World.’
