Where Criss once commanded "shake it one time for Peter," now the singing drummer pleads for permission to rock you in the doo woping Russ Ballard title track. This is defiantly a kinder, gentler Cat Man strut, and with a star-studded cast of second stringers supplying songs and support, Let Me Rock You is some kind of bizarre collector's item. Rising star Steve Stevens slips in a softie called "First Day in the Rain," letting loose some typically beautiful pyrotechnics in the break. John Waite does a better "Tears," but not by much. Criss even takes Bryan Ferry to task with an odd reading of "Jealous Guy" (sans whistling, so why bother?). Our boy from Brooklyn actually co-wrote a deuce: the tomcatting Gary Cooper nooner "Move on Over" and "Bad Boys," which brings the Devil to his knees. Plus, a certain Gene Simmons offers up the chugging "Feel Like Heaven." Criss graces the cover without makeup or shirt, which is apropos, as mad Vini Poncia brings his enjoyable Kiss Unmasked sensibilities to the production. With 40 minutes of slick silliness that will slide right through your psyche, Let Me Rock You may easily be the aural equivalent of catnip. ~ Doug Stone, All Music Guide
Stephanie Tudor (Production Coordination), James Newton Howard (Keyboards), Peter Criss (Drums), Bob Messano (Vocals (Background)), Eric Troyer (Vocals (Background)), Bob Schaper (Associate Producer), Trevor Brown (Cover Photo), Darroll Gustamachio (Assistant Engineer), Caleb Quaye (Guitar), Steve Lukather (Guitar), Peter Criss (Vocals), Dennis Conway (Drums), Rory Dodd (Vocals (Background)), Vini Poncia (Producer), Ed Walsh (Synthesizer), Michael Braun (Drums), Jayne Grodd (Production Coordination), Kai Winding (Keyboards), Davey Faragher (Bass), Jai Winding (Keyboards), Steve Stevens (Guitar), James Newton Howard (Synthesizer), Vini Poncia (Vocals (Background)), Bob Messano (Guitar), Kevin Reeves (Remastering), Suzanne Fellini (Vocals (Background)), Phil Grande (Guitar)
Let Me Rock You is the second album released by former KISSdrummerPeter Criss. Due to poor sales for 1980's Out of Control, Let Me Rock You was not released in the United States until 1997, when it was reissued on CD. The album was produced by Vini Poncia, who previously produced Criss's 1978 solo album (officially released as a KISS album). Let Me Rock You features the song "Feels Like Heaven", written by Criss's former KISS-bandmate, Gene Simmons. Vinnie Cusano also co-wrote a song for the album; at the same year the album was released, Cusano became known as Vinnie Vincent when he replaced KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. The album cover features Peter Criss for the first time without his Kiss Make up, as he didn't appear on the cover of his first true solo album "Out of Control" and it was also only one year later that the new Kiss line up decided to take of the make up for the "Lick it Up" album.
Only one single from the album was released – "Tears," with "Jealous Guy" (a John Lennon cover) as the B-side.
