In 1991, KISS drummer Eric Carr lost his battle with heart cancer. It was a blow for the band and fans alike. It became clear that when Peter Criss (original drummer) and later Eric Singer joined the band, Eric Carr was the best drummer the band had ever had, and it was not really close. Fans either embraced Criss’ sloppy style or not. Fans either embraced Singer’s technical style or not. But Eric Carr hit a thunderous sweet spot.
Aggressive, hard-hitting, inventive- that was Eric Carr, who arrived on the KISS scene in 1980 as the band set out on the “Unmasked” tour. Eric Carr would wear the ‘Fox” makeup and be an instant fan favorite. His energy behind the drum kit was undeniable.
Carr’s thunderous, atomic backbeat pushed KISS into a much heavier, harder-rocking era. For his first studio album with the band, it felt like a showcase. In 1982, the Band released “Creatures Of The Night.” The album is still considered to be the best and heaviest rock album.
It turns out “Creatures” was just the beginning, as “Lick It Up,” released in 1983, further proved Carr’s prowess behind the drums.
In 2005, Eric Carr was voted the 10th best drummer of all time by Planet Rock and placed fourth among drummers who completely transformed existing bands they joined. Fans will always debate who the best KISS drummer has been. But if an honest evaluation of all three drummers body of worth within KISS is taken, it is Eric Carr and it is not even close.
