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TOMMY THAYER: KISS Has Never Been The Critics' Choice

May 9, 2005

KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer recently answered a few questions from fans via his official web site. A few excerpts from the Q&A session follow:

Q: What are your thoughts on KISS being given the cold shoulder by the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame?

Tommy Thayer: "Haven't thought much about it. KISS has never been the critics' or the industry 'insiders'' choice, KISS is the band of the people. KISS has been warmly embraced by millions of fans for over 30 years and that's all that matters."

Q: How often do you practice chords, solos, etc, alone? Is it at home?

Tommy Thayer: "I still practice! Actually when we get closer to a tour I practice more but it's really like riding a bike. I've been playing KISS songs ever since I started playing guitar in 1974, so they're well ingrained."

Q: After BLACK 'N BLUE split in the late '80s, what other options were you looking into before you ended up with KISS?

Tommy Thayer: "At the time I was considering forming another band which I did. It was called AMERICAN MAN which was short-lived. I also had a short stint in a band called HARLOW that recorded one record for Warner/Reprise Records. After that I played in a raucous band called SHAKE THE FAITH and we recorded one record for a Japanese label."

Q: What is the most inspirational song you have written and what inspired you to writing it?

Tommy Thayer: "I don't know about inspirational, but BLACK 'N BLUE's 'Hold On To 18' was a cool tune at the time, a kind of answer to ALICE COOPER's 'I'm Eighteen' meets 'Born To Be Wild'."

Q: Of all the bands you have [toured] with, which one was the worst behaved?

Tommy Thayer: "Actually I can't remember any. Believe it or not, one of the cool things about touring is getting to know the other bands on the bill and almost always becoming friends because you have so much in common."

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