In a recent interview, KISS founder Gene Simmons talked about the makings of the band's biggest-selling single, "Beth." The song was sung by drummer Peter Criss while many of the group's other classics were sung by Simmons or Paul Stanley. The drummer also received a songwriting credit.
That is where Simmons' latest drama comes into play. His narrative is that Criss didn't actually write the song, but that a former pre-KISS bandmate of Criss's, Stan Penridge, wrote the tune. This isn't to say that Criss stole the song, which was originally called "Beck," but it's not a stretch to imply that either.
Criss has a different story. In a recent interview with Billboard, Criss wanted to make sure fans understood what the rather sappy song's true origin was, and that Simmons sometimes simply talked to hear himself speak. The truth isn't always as the bassist presents, according to Criss.
KISS' Peter Criss disputes Gene Simmons' recent comment about "Beth"
The drummer told Billboard, "Gene wouldn’t know how the song was originally written because Gene wasn’t there from the conception of the song in the late ‘60s, and he wasn’t there for the completion of the song with Bob Ezrin. Gene’s statements are ridiculous and very uncalled for; he talks about things that he doesn’t know about."
Instead, Criss asserts that he was the one who came up with the melody, but a verse and the chorus came from Penridge's book, where he kept a list of lyrics he had written. In other words, instead of the tune being almost completely Penridge's, it was far more a collaboration with Criss and his former bandmate.
KISS producer Bob Ezrin, who also has a songwriting credit on "Beth," a No. 7 hit for the band in 1976, also disputed Gene Simmons' narrative in the same interview with Peter Criss. As Penridge also has a songwriting credit, the only issue would be that Criss didn't actually help write the song, and shouldn't get royalties for having done so. Everyone but Simmons appears to confirm Criss's role.
Which leads to the question of why Gene Simmons cares so much about who wrote "Beth"? He seems to simply be drumming up drama just to do so, and that is a very strange thing.