Criss Leaves Kiss

By Stephen M. Silverman

09/26/1997 at 12:00 AM EDT

Just as he's preparing for his group's farewell tour, Kiss drummer Peter Criss, a founding member of the band, has left the group and will be replaced by former Kiss drummer Eric Singer, who played with the others from 1991 to 1996, according to the Kiss Web site. No reason for Criss's departure was given. Kiss is set to play gigs in Japan and Australia next month, and reportedly plans to wrap up their career with a multi-night stand in April at New York's Madison Square Garden.