Tommy Thayer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tommy Thayer
Thayer in 2015
Background information
Born	(1960-11-07) November 7, 1960 (age 64) Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Genres	Hard rock heavy metal glam metal
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter
Instruments	Guitar vocals
Years active	1978–present

Thomas Cunningham Thayer (born November 7, 1960) is an American musician. He is best known as the lead guitarist and a singer for the famous hard rock band Kiss. He played with Kiss from 2002 to 2023. Before joining Kiss, he was also the lead guitarist for the band Black 'n Blue.

Tommy Thayer's Early Life

Thomas Cunningham Thayer was born on November 7, 1960. He grew up in Beaverton, Oregon, near Portland, Oregon. His mother, Patricia Thayer, was a trained violinist and singer. His father, James Thayer, was a successful businessman and a retired US Army General.

Tommy grew up in a musical family with three brothers and a sister. He listened to many types of music, from classical to the Beatles. When he was 13, he started playing electric guitar because he loved hard rock bands from the 1970s. After finishing high school in 1978, Tommy played in local bands. He later started his own band with singer Jaime St. James, which became known as Black 'n Blue.

Black 'n Blue: His First Band

Black 'n Blue started in November 1981. They played many shows in Portland before moving to Southern California in 1983. Within six months, the band signed a record deal with Geffen Records.

In 1984, the band went to Germany to record their first album, Black 'n Blue. Tommy helped write songs like "Hold on to 18." Their next album, Without Love, came out in 1985. Tommy also helped write the song "Miss Mystery" for this album. After touring with Kiss in 1985, Black 'n Blue worked with Gene Simmons, the bassist from Kiss. Gene Simmons produced their albums Nasty Nasty (1986) and In Heat (1988). The band broke up in late 1988.

Even though he is no longer a full-time member, Tommy sometimes plays with Black 'n Blue for special reunion shows. In 2010, the band was honored and added to the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.

Before Joining Kiss

In 1989, Tommy Thayer worked with Gene Simmons from Kiss. He helped write songs and played guitar on demo recordings for Kiss's 1989 album, Hot in the Shade. He co-wrote songs like "Betrayed."

Tommy also worked as a producer and guitarist for other artists. He helped produce and played guitar on Doro Pesch's album Doro in 1991. In 1992, he joined a band called Shake the Faith. He even convinced writer Hunter S. Thompson to create artwork for their album cover.

Tommy Thayer and Kiss

Thayer performing live with Kiss in 2019

In 1994, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley from Kiss hired Tommy to help with their book Kisstory. This led to more projects and eventually a full-time job with the band. Tommy helped with many tasks, including managing their 1995 Kiss Convention tour. He also helped prepare for the 1996 Kiss Alive/Worldwide Tour. He worked with original Kiss members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss to help them remember their old guitar and drum parts.

Tommy also produced and edited many Kiss videos and films. These included Kiss, The Second Coming (1998) and the movie Detroit Rock City (1998).

By 2002, there was some doubt if original guitarist Ace Frehley would continue with Kiss. Tommy was ready to step in if needed. He first played live with Kiss in their famous "Spaceman" makeup at a private concert in Jamaica. After that, he appeared on TV shows like ABC's American Bandstand and That 70s Show.

Becoming The Spaceman

After 2003, Tommy Thayer officially became the lead guitarist for Kiss. He wore the "Spaceman" makeup, which was originally worn by Ace Frehley. In 2003, Tommy and Kiss performed with the 70-piece Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Australia. This concert was recorded and released as Kiss Symphony: Alive IV.

In 2009, Kiss released Sonic Boom, their first new studio album in 11 years. It was a big hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard album chart. Tommy helped write three songs on this album. He also sang lead vocals for the first time on a Kiss song called "When Lightning Strikes."

Another Kiss album, Monster, came out in 2012. Tommy helped write 10 songs for this album and sang lead vocals on "Outta This World."

In 2020, Tommy was asked about his time with Kiss. He said his legacy would be "a guy who came in, worked hard, and was the glue that kept the band together for a long period of time." He saw himself as a team player who helped bring people together.

After Kiss's final shows in December 2023, Tommy talked about his role. He felt he joined Kiss when they needed someone to help them start a new chapter. He said he grew and changed over the years, and it worked out well for everyone. Tommy also mentioned that he's not ready to retire completely and has ideas for the future, but he doesn't plan to join another band.

Tommy Thayer's Signature Guitars

Tommy Thayer has his own special Epiphone Les Paul guitars. His first signature model, the "Spaceman" guitar, was released in 2013. It sold out quickly! He uses special Seymour Duncan pickups in his guitars.

In 2015, his second signature model, the "White Lightning" Les Paul, was released. Tommy said it was "the pinnacle of looks, style and flash." This guitar also sold out its limited edition run. Epiphone released his third signature guitar, the "White Lightning" Explorer, in 2017. Tommy says he "never leaves home without 'em!"

Helping Others: Public Service

Tommy Thayer is also involved in helping his community. In 2005, he joined the board of trustees at Pacific University in Oregon. He still serves on the board today.

He has helped school music programs by arranging for new musical instruments to be donated. In 2010, Tommy and Kiss appeared on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They helped a family who ran a non-profit music school from their home by providing new instruments.

Tommy also supports the military. Kiss performed at "Rockin' the Corps" in 2005 for US Marines. Tommy also visits military bases to show support. He donates all the money he earns from his special guitar amplifiers to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. This helps sick and injured children get the medical care they need.

Tommy has also helped raise money for the new Oregon Military Museum. This museum will be named in honor of his father, Brigadier General James B. Thayer Sr.. In 2014, an event organized by Tommy raised $1.2 million for the museum! He continues to lead efforts to raise funds for the museum.

In 2018, Pacific University gave Tommy an honorary doctorate degree. This was to recognize his amazing career and his efforts in helping others.

Discography

With Black 'n Blue

• Black 'N Blue (1984)
• Without Love (1985)
• Nasty Nasty (1986)
• In Heat (1988)

With Harlow

• Harlow (1990)

With Kiss

• Hot in the Shade (1989) (co-wrote, played electroacoustic guitar on "Betrayed" and "The Street Giveth & the Street Taketh Away")
• Revenge (1992) (backing vocals)
• Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997) (co-wrote "Childhood's End")
• Psycho Circus (1998) (played most lead guitar parts)
• Jigoku-Retsuden (2008)
• Sonic Boom (2009)
• Monster (2012)

With Thayer-St.James

• The Lost Tapes (2022)

Guest appearances

• Loverboy – Lovin' Every Minute of It (1985) (additional backing vocals)
• Doro – Doro (1990) (played lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars and co-wrote "Rock On")

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Tommy Thayer para niños