Former Kiss drummer Peter Criss has revealed how guitarist John 5 — best known for his work with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson — came to play on his long-gestating solo record Peter Criss, which was released in December 2025. The collaboration didn’t start as a planned feature but instead emerged from a chance moment of encouragement that helped push Criss to finish an album he’d been working on for years.
Criss told Rock Candy that the project had its beginnings nearly a decade ago, but at one point he set it aside unfinished. During a visit to California, he brought a CD of his early recordings to show his friend John 5. They listened in John 5’s truck — a setting that belied the influence the encounter would soon have. “John said, ‘Peter, I love this. This could be a great, kick-ass rock ’n’ roll album,’” Criss recalled. “He said, ‘You’ve got to finish this. You’ve got to get this done. And I’ll play on anything you want me to. I want to be on this album.’”
That vote of confidence gave Criss a much-needed boost, leading him to revisit the material with renewed zeal. He began reworking songs, rewriting lyrics and arrangements, and eventually re-recording vocals with what he called a “dream team” of musicians, including bassist Billy Sheehan and keyboardist Paul Shaffer, who appear across all 11 tracks.
On the album, John 5 is credited on three songs — “Justice,” “Cheaper to Keep Her” and “Rubberneckin’.” Criss said that having John 5 on board helped turn tentative early sessions into a committed finishing process: his words and willingness to play shaped the momentum that ultimately carried the album to completion.
Criss — now 80 — described the experience as invigorating. “I had an absolute blast; I was like a kid in a candy store, and my pipes are better than they’ve ever been!” he said, noting that the project made him feel rejuvenated and excited about music again.
The collaboration highlights a long friendship between Criss and John 5, grounded in shared respect and mutual admiration. John 5 has publicly spoken about his appreciation for Criss, both as a musician and as a person, and the pair’s rapport has roots in their history as rock musicians with overlapping circles and influences.
For Criss, the journey to releasing Peter Criss was more than just finishing an old project — it was about finding the right partners to help elevate his music. With John 5’s enthusiastic support and contributions, what began as a shelved solo idea became a vibrant, fully realized album that Criss now describes as some of his best work.
