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Lydia Criss

www.myspace.com/lydiacriss
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  • Lydia Criss

  • 102 / Female
  • NEW YORK, New York, US
  • Last Login: 1/7/2010

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  • General

    .. SEALED WITH A KISS..
    by Lydia Criss

    Click To Order Unmasks a Supergroup -
    The bands rise and fame as seen through her eyes

    New York, NY - The recent release of Sealed With A KISS the elegantly-bound coffee-table book by Lydia Criss, wife (1970-1979) of longtime KISS drummer Peter Criss, goes behind the make-up, blood and hype for an uncompromising look at the band’s glory years and its storybook rise to unprecedented rock’n’roll fame. Transcending the dictates of a rock bio, it is a fascinating and beautiful piece of literary and visual art that distills the essence of this great band as each of its 368 pages are turned.

    Told from her unique perspective, the epic endeavor weighs almost five pounds, measures 10x12 and contains over 1,500 unpublished-until-now photos. “Because I have always been a pack-rat and saved everything, I wanted to share it with all the fans, which meant putting in everything but the kitchen sink, although I think that is in there too!” says Criss, “I never would have thought when I first met Peter that my life would end up being documented in a book, which turned out to be the hardest project I have ever undertaken.”

    The book covers three distinct eras: Peter and Lydia’s life prior to Kiss, from their initial meeting to their marriage and Peter’s early struggles through over 500 grueling club gigs; Peter’s entry into KISS and their skyrocket into superstardom; and finally, Lydia’s separation and eventual divorce from Peter, and her life in the decades that followed as a successful entertainment photographer (Van Halen, Cheap Trick, Rod Stewart and The Who are among the main acts she has lensed). Accompanying the 125,000-word manuscript, Sealed With A KISS Sealed With A KISS is permeated with live photos of KISS, from their early club days to sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden not to mention hundreds of behind the scenes photos and obscure mementos which Lydia collected along the way.

    Sealed With A KISS will be available exclusively through the author’s official Web site: LydiaCriss.com and on Amazon.com

    Testimonials

    "I've been immersed in your book since receiving my copy. What a terrific job you did! Your narrative is very well written. You made it both personal as well as informative, something that's not always easy. Your printer did exceptional work with the photos, layout and graphics. It's really a top quality job."
    Chris Lendt

    "I wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed your book, you did a fantastic job! All the best,"
    Tommy Thayer

    "I am the former webmaster of Kissonline, from 98-05, and just wanted to say what a fantastic job you did assembling your book.This is something every KISS fan would love. Thank You."
    Michael Brandvold

    "The photos were amazing, the attention to detail outstanding, and the writing was very personable."
    Scott Engel

    "There is nothing else out there than can match your perspective and insight into Peter and the band in the early days."
    Tracy Veillette

    "It arrived today and is blowing me away, what an amazing book!!"
    Pete

    "I just want to compliment you on the incredible detail and accuracy with PROOF of what really happened."
    Joe

    "I just received my copy of Sealed with a KISS and I must say, I am completely blown away. I have been a KISS fan since 1975 and this ranks near the top of the list of the best books ever released on the band, in my opinion."
    Allen Dunn

    "The photos totally rocked...many of them I have never seen. Much effort was put into this project and I commend you for your strength, patience, and time in delivering the ultimate Kiss collection to all fans. Congratulations on a job well done!"
    Stephanie Williams

    "Sealed With A Kiss is already the BEST published work on the band BAR NONE, and the fact that the focus of the book is Peter and yourself (and NOT another Gene and Paul story) makes it truly special."
    Rocky DiCarlo

    "I just finished reading the book and it is fabulous!!!! All the photos from the seventies are awesome. I really enjoyed it."
    Ron

    "I have been patiently waiting for many years for a book like this. You truly know exactly what the people want. Congratulations!"
    Mike

    "Very impressed!! I think it is better than KISSTORY. The pics, the quality of paper, and the history you have to give, is far beyond anything else that has surfaced."
    Lee Johnson

    "I received your book not really knowing what to expect, but I just wanted to write and let you know I thought it was GREAT. Worth every penny. The photos and stories were great, the printing was top-notch, the artwork and graphic-work were great...I was really, really impressed."
    Derek

    "I received your book few weeks ago, and I must say that it is incredible!!!!!! It is everything I was hoping for. The pictures are great, and the text is very compelling. I couldn't stop reading it once I started."
    Michael Rose

    "The book is a great read and the photos are what we have been asking for for many years now."
    Adam M. Stuart, M.D.

    "The book is beautifully presented & there has never been a more fascinating account of the history of the band."
    Richard Buffett

    "I will definitely spread the word to other fans I know that they HAVE TO GET THIS BOOK! After being a fan since 1987, and collecting many books on the band. This ranks up there with the book KISSTORY! Congratulations on a job well done"
    Michael Matt

    "IT ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!"
    Patrick

    "I couldn't believe how well put together it was and how great the photo's looked. This is a must for every Kiss fan."
    Terry

Details

  • Status: Single
  • Here for: Networking
  • Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Blurbs

About me:

.. LydiaCriss.com

Like most of her generation, native New Yorker, Brooklyn-born Lydia DiLeonardo discovered rock and roll while watching American Bandstand every afternoon. But unlike most of her peers, Lydia would marry the man who would become the wild, grease-painted drummer for KISS, and rock and roll became the foundation of Lydia's life.

Only a week after her 16th birthday, Lydia began a seven-year stint at Abercrombie & Fitch (The World's Greatest Sporting Goods Store) in the Gun Department. Shortly thereafter, in July 1966, she met the Brooklyn-born Peter Criscuola aka Peter Criss. The two instantly became a couple and eventually married in January 1970, neither knowing that Peter would find fame and fortune as the cat-faced drummer of the legendary rock band KISS.

After leaving Abercrombie & Fitch, Lydia worked for five years as a bookkeeper/statistical typist for philanthropist William Rosenwald (the son of the founder of Sears-Roebuck). During this time, she supported Peter in almost every way imaginable, from making some of the earliest KISS costumes, to providing financial and emotional support for him while he pursued his dream of rock stardom. This continued until KISS finally became successful in late 1975, when Lydia began enjoying life as a homemaker and playing the role of the 1970s rock star wife.

Lydia ended up earning rock celebrity status in her own right as the inspiration for KISS's Top 10 hit single "Beth" for which she accepted The People's Choice Award for "Favorite New Song of 1976" in February 1977.

KISS's massive worldwide appeal in the 1970's would see them publicized in every teen, rock, and entertainment magazine that one could possibly think of, and Lydia herself was certainly no stranger to features in print media from around the world. The much-publicized 1978 split between Lydia and Peter would make headlines in both People Magazine and The New York Post, and she was also pictured and quoted in a biography about her renowned divorce lawyer, Marvin Mitchelson.

Left to care for the couple's Greenwich, Connecticut mansion alone, Lydia quickly realized she needed a career and enrolled in photography classes at the prestigious New School in Greenwich Village as well as studying law at Hunter College. With that knowledge in tow, Lydia melded her newfound love of photography with her passion for rock and roll and began professionally photographing her favorite rock stars, along with many of her rock and roll friends.

When Lydia landed the back cover of a friend's album, she was hooked. She signed with Star File Photo Agency and soon expanded her viewfinder to celebrities, sports figures, models, and even everyday events.

Lydia has since had her work published on numerous CDs for dozens of bands, and in major publications such as The Daily News, The New York Post, and People Magazine to name a few. Additionally, her work has been published in a host of places: biographies, calendars, tour books, trading cards, Videos, DVDs and TV shows ranging from Late Night with Conan O'Brien to several shows for VH-1. She has even had some of her earlier KISS work reproduced into limited edition lithographs.

Lydia Criss is currently semi-retired, working part-time for photographer Bob Gruen (himself a classic KISS photographer) and at her current new profession-author.

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