Original KISS [ tickets ] drummer Peter Criss has responded to the band’s recent announcement that he will be replaced by former member Eric Singer on the group’s upcoming tour of Australia and Japan.

“I would like to express my love and affection to the KISS Army and my fans,” Criss said in a statement posted on KISS fan site KISSAsylum.com. “It is unfortunate Gene [Simmons] and Paul [Stanley] chose to terminate their association with me for the Japan and the Australian tour dates. I am healthy and will truly miss performing for the Australian and Japanese audiences. In light of the circumstances, I wish the best of success to all.”

On January 31, KISS’ three remaining original members--Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley--issued a joint statement in which they announced that Singer would replace Criss on the group’s March and April tour of Australia and Japan. The statement contained no mention of Criss, and offered no explanation for Singer’s return.

On Saturday night (2/3), Simmons appeared on “Saturday Night Rocks with Eddie Trunk!,” a New York City radio program. In a summary of Simmons’ appearance that Trunk posted to his official website, Trunk indicates that Criss is being replaced on the Japanese and Australian tour dates because the drummer could not reach a compensation agreement with the band for the outing.

“He was asking for something we couldn’t give,” Simmons said, according to Trunk’s summary.

Simmons also said that he is hopeful that Criss will return to the group for the tour's final U.S. shows.

During the upcoming Japanese and Australian outing, Singer will wear the same costume and makeup that Criss is known for, Simmons told Trunk.

Singer was the group’s third drummer. He replaced Criss’ successor, Eric Carr, in 1991 after Carr died of cancer. Both Singer and guitarist Bruce Kulick were ousted in 1996 when original members Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley returned to the group for a reunion tour that featured the group’s original lineup in makeup and costume.

KISS embarked on the Farewell Tour last March. The group’s Japanese tour dates were originally scheduled to take place last November, but were delayed for unspecified reasons.

A spokesperson for the group could not be reached for comment.