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Peter Criss opts for early retirement. 


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Reading between the lines on a news update today at the official KISS website, it appears that Peter Criss has bowed out for the remainder of the Reunion tour and former KISS drummer Eric Singer has rejoined the group for the remainder of the tour. 

According to the official statement that makes no mention of Peter, "Eric [Singer] has been a member of our family, and his drumming and singing have been the cornerstone of past Kiss tours. We are stoked that we can bring our ultimate spectacle to Kiss fans worldwide."

The farewell tour is set to assault Japan and Australia with the possibility of some stateside appearances before the final chapter in KISStory is written. At this point the rumor mill is churning at full speed with speculation that Peter left because of a dispute with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons over money.  

KISS is set to play five Japan dates in March and following up with seven shows in Australia in April.  

Will the remaining shows be masked? We simply do not know, if so will Eric wear his own makeup design? Perhaps the �Hawk� he joked about in the 1993 KISS home video? KISS has been tight lipped with the details thus far, but if we hear anything we will pass it along to you.