Former Kiss drummer Peter Criss — known for co-writing and voicing the band’s emotional 1976 ballad “Beth” — delivered a surprise performance at a charity event in New York City this week, moving many longtime fans and raising spirits for a good cause.
The event, a benefit concert organized to support local community charities, featured a string of performances by various artists. When Criss took the stage, the crowd erupted as he launched into “Beth,” his distinctive voice intact and resonant. The sight of the rock legend performing the song — stripped of heavy costumes and makeup — carried a powerful emotional weight, reminding everyone just how lasting that song remains decades after its initial release.
As he sang, many in the crowd appeared visibly moved — some wiping away tears, others chanting along. For many guests, it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment: seeing a rock icon revisit one of the most timeless songs in rock history, not in an arena full of pyrotechnics, but in a humble hall where the music and its message mattered more than spectacle.
After the performance, Criss addressed the audience: he said how honored he was to help raise funds for underprivileged youth, thanked the organizers and fans for their support, and dedicated the song to “anyone who’s ever felt lost in the dark and found a little light in music.”
Social media lit up soon after with clips of the performance. Fans and attendees praised Criss for his sincerity and the raw emotion he brought to the stage, with many calling it “a night of pure rock-and-roll soul.”
For Criss, the show underscored the idea that music remains a bridge — connecting generations, memories, and hope. In 2025, decades after “Beth” became a smash hit, that bridge still carries power.
