The late Eric Carr died nineteen years ago today.
Eric Carr was the second drummer for the rock band “KISS“. He replaced the original drummer Peter Criss who quit the band in 1980.
When Eric Carr joined KISS, they were still wearing their trademark make-up. So it was decided that Eric Carr would wear make-up in the persona of “The Fox” (former drummer Peter Criss had been “The Catman“).
"Creatures Of The Night", the only KISS album cover that has Eric Carr in his "Fox" make-up (he's at the top of the cover).
Eric Carr remained a member of KISS until he died of heart cancer at the age of 41 on 1991 November 24th.
I was already in Japan when Eric Carr passed away and I was shocked when I first heard the news that he had died.
As a KISS fan, I was dismayed that Eric Carr’s death was overshadowed by the death of Freddie Mercury, the vocalist of the band Queen, who died of AIDS the exact same day.
It’s not overlooked by KISS fans in Japan that Eric Carr died at the age of 41.
In Japan, there are three ages for men and three for women that are considered by be unlucky with a higher chance of illness or injury.
These ages are called 「厄年」 (“Yakudoshi“) which means “Calamity years”.
For women these ages are: 19, 33 and 37.
For men, they are: 25, 42 and 61.
Maybe you noticed that Eric Carr died at the age of 41 and the closest 「厄年」 (“Yakudoshi“) age is 42.
But the year before and the after 「厄年」 (“Yakudoshi“) are considered dangerous as well. They’re called 「前厄」 (“Maeyaku”) and 「後厄」 (“Atoyaku”), respectively.
It’s believed that people’s bodies are changing at those ages and are prone for sickness or injury.
Actually, I twisted my ankle a few days after my 41st birthday a few weeks ago. True story.
Are you at the age of 「厄年」 (“Yakudoshi“)? Take care!
Eric Carr, 1950 July 12 - 1991 Nov 24, R.I.P.
Tokyo Five 
ERIC CARR R.I.P.
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This November will be twenty years since his passing.
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Wow, those Yakudoshi years sound scary.. This is rather interesting at the same time though, I’d never heard of that before now. Always learning new information.
Good to see that he lives on in the hearts of so many fans 🙂
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Yes, unfortunately, I’m at a “Yakudoshi” age now. 😦
How about you?
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Very interesting about those ages, Peter will forever be missed, it really sitnks when a band member dies, it really stinks wwhen nyone dies when you think about it, but Eric was certainly a great drummer, RIP \m/
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>Very interesting about those ages
Thanks. I’m the age that Eric Carr was when he passed away. A 「厄年」 (Yakudoshi) year.
If Eric Carr were alive still now, he’d be 60 years old. Another 「厄年」 year!
>Peter will forever be missed
By “missed”, I supposed you mean that it’s unfortunate that he’s no longer a member of KISS…because Peter Criss is still alive and (presumably) well.
>Eric was certainly a great drummer
Yes. I know it almost sacrilegious for a KISS, like I am, to say but…I think the “Lick It Up” era of KISS (Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Vinnie Vincent and Eric Carr) was the best.
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Did I say Peter, I meant Eric, but they both are missed from KISS, I don’t even know the name of the current guitarist or drummer, I also think KISS was better with Vincent and Carr or Kulick and Carr, buyt I do think that P{eter and Frehley was extremely good too.
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>I don’t even know the name of the current guitarist or drummer
Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, respectively.
>I do think that Peter and Frehley was extremely good too
I do too. I enjoy all “eras” of KISS.
But both Vinnie Vincent’s and Eric Carr’s influences were hard rock acts such as Led Zeppelin, et al.
So the songs that they co-wrote / played on are “harder”…and that’s the type of music I like best.
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