Rig Rundown - Kiss' Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Tommy Thayer
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ส.ค. 2014
- Article and photos: bit.ly/KissRR
Not many bands can claim as much influence on today’s hard rock and metal scene as the makeup-wearing, blood-spitting, pyro-shooting foursome. PG caught up with current guitarist Tommy Thayer, along with Francis and Michael Berger, to dig into all the axes (in some cases, literally), effects, and amps that the band brought out on their 2014 tour with Def Leppard.
Tommy Thayer is a longtime Les Paul man and brings several on the road with him. A Custom Shop ’59 Standard with Seymour Duncan JB pickups sees most of the action. Gibson had just delivered a new white Les Paul Custom that could see some considerable onstage time. Thayer’s black Les Paul Classic houses the classic Kiss pyro behind the headstock. When he needs some midrange honk, he reaches for a Custom Shop Gibson Explorer decked out in silver sparkle.
To read more on the gear used by Thayer, Simmons, and Stanley, visit: bit.ly/KissRR - เพลง
Tommy does not deserve the hatred he gets. He is a very nice guy and a great guitar player
I certainly enjoyed Tommy when I seen kiss in 2008
I think people only hated him because Paul made him wear Ace's persona
That's right he's the space man
he deserves it, he has no personality and he plays someone else identity
Amen!!
Despite what hardcore KISS fans may think of Tommy, donating his royalties to childrens' charities is pretty awesome.
Yes, because people are lining up to buy a Tommy Thayer signature amp.
Dave Bales That may be true, but it's still money he's not taking for himself and instead putting towards a good cause. Whether it's $100 or $10,000, money donated is money donated.
Fifty0ne I'm more likely to buy your amp.
Gene sneaks into the charities once a month to steal them back. That dude would sell you someone else's baby for the right price.
if I guy will do that with all his earnings then thats pretty awesome. Serious heaven points bro
I like how Tommy is the only one who speaks to them lol
Can't say you're surprised though lol
I'm not Tommy and Eric are really down to earth guys I've met them both a few years ago Gene and Paul on the other hand well... Just watch him put his make up on his daughter on the Cosmopolitan channel oh and I have both Tommy Thayer Les Pauls by Epiphone, They're AMAZING guitars
Barbwire He has nothing better to do
Hate on Tommy all you want, but you can't deny the fact that he is a great guitarist.
Tommy IS a great guitarist - but he's not the spaceman. Should have a different character.
This video made me respect Tommy Thayer so much more as a musician and person!
Tommy super nice gave me and my father free tickets one year and even came over to us during shandi to give us guitar picks and say hello.
Supper nice and down to earth
One thing I really like about Tommy: He's clean and sober, it seems likely that he's ALWAYS been that way.....TOTAL dedication and professionalism.....Watching this reminds me of watching an interview of Ted Williams where he only talks about his choice of bats and his approach to hitting.
As much as I love Ace, I have to say Tommy is a class act dude.
R.I.P. guitar tech Francis Stueber, who tested positive for COVID and was quarantining in a Detroit hotel room when he died of the virus on Oct. 17, 2021 at the age of 52
So sad . He was the man behind the paul Stanley sound .
Tommy Thayer is such a nice guy. I'm a massive KISS fan, and I can't stand how everyone trashes on him.
He'd be cooler if he wasn't impersonating Ace. If Paul and Gene let him do his own thing like they let Bruce, Vinnie, and Mark do, KISS would probably still be relevant.
If you've ever met Ace you'd know what an entitled ahole he is....
MushroomVortex Saw them live 2 days again great show an Tommy killed it amazing guitar player
@@scottyd2262 He wass nice when I met him. I don't know who you met.
@@centurionmusic11 i agree hes talented as hell but hes their puppet same as eric
First time I saw KISS with Tommy, I didn't know that Ace was not with them. The guitar immediately blew me away. It was about 10x better than they had sounded before. Talented guitarist!
there for while i always thought jt was bruce k. again lol
If you thought Tommy's playing was Ace, you weren't listening. He sounds NOTHING like him.
Time for an updated version of Kiss rigs
"...it gets snagged on his codpiece..." Best line ever in a Rig Rundown
Kiss fans need to respect Tommy. He does so much not just playing guitar. He’s a back bone that shows so much dedication. Gene did hire him.
Tommy is such a nice dude. He has a literal heart of gold.
I like Tommy a lot, but he does not literally have a heart of gold.
I have never been a Kiss fan, however, this rig rundown was very informational. It is one of the most professional and impressive to date.
I respect Tommy for doing his own interview!!!!!
Rig Rundowns are one my favorite guitar related videos. Apart from being great they also show you who are the cool ones in music business. For me, anyone doing their own rig rundown is ace!
Class act Mr. Thayer 👍🏻👍🏻 took my 6 year old son to see the End of the Road Tour in Detroit Rock City & u guys did not disappoint! Thank u 🙏
Who finds Tommy thayer is the nicest out of the bunch
Me
I do too, that man is cool and also humble, and it's not his faul about Ace's make up, it's Gene and Paul's fault.
+Ryan McFarlane everybody on the planet
+Metalgears1968 yes! Tommy's awesome!! I prefer Ace on a playing level but on a personal level Tommy's better.
nicest: Tommy
Eric
Paul
worst: Gene
Tommy is awesome. He respects the fans, badass guitarist and I dig his vocals. Seen Kiss 4 times with him and he was fantastic.
I was fortunate enough to open for Kiss 2010 with a band I was in from Buffalo. Kiss everyone from the techs crew band members & manager Doc MaGee were phenomenal. I was a little concerned about it figuring we’d be getting changed in our truck etc but no....we were givin our own dressing room next to Gene & Paul. They fed us took care of our gear gave us sound check band came over talked to us before they went on. Francis introduced us before we went on also front row tickets to watch them plus we hung out backstage. Crossed off bucket list lol.
What was the band?
@@stanknugget DoDriver
@@joemartucci4786 I looked up DoDriver and nothing came up. You’re lying.
RIP Francis. He will be missed.
I always like it was PG talks to the artists themselves, and not the techs. It's nice to see that the artists actually know the stuff they use
I thought the donation to Children's Hospital was very cool....
I've met Tommy a few times, and he is indeed a very genuine Chap....really nice Guy...
I like the interviewer. Seems like a cool guy and very genuine
According to Internet law, if there's ever any mention of Tommy Thayer then there has to be a flame war about his guitar skills and if he's an Ace ripoff or not. Why can't some people just enjoy the music?
SheepHair Because his job is to play Ace's guitar parts. No Kiss album that featured Tommy Thayer as The Spaceman is essential rock music, they're just nostalgic imitations of a 70s legacy act.
thenewyorkpauls interesting, considering Tommy recorded two great albums with KISS (Sonic Boom and Monster) that had nothing to do with Ace. Looks like that theory got trashed quick.
Billy Rouse Did you just say Sonic Boom and Monster are two great albums? Sorry, I'm just a bit shocked. I've never heard that before.
Billy Rouse been a fan for over 35 years...Nothing wrong with those records at all. Good, loud, fun rock n roll.
ferox965 agreed
I love John just looking around after Tommy hands him his brand new Les Paul, like he doesn't know what to do with it
It’s great to see Tommy Thayer getting so much love in the comments. Anyone that knows anything about the guy knows he deserves it. Weird that he gets haters just because he wasn’t part of the classic lineup. He was thirteen and living in Oregon when the band was formed.
John Bohlinger is such a great host. His energy and jovialness (word?) is infectious, and much appreciated. Thanks John!
Joviality
@@TheMusicalElitist Thank you! :)
@@mattrock12 no worries bro. I agree about John: he’s the perfect interviewer.
Man, I am just watching this in Sept 2021 and am blown away by Tommy Thayer. When he said he gives all the royalties from the amps to a childrens charity he earned my respect. Great guy.. As far as Genes bass, Im a bass player and NEVER EVER understood the love affair with tube amps. I use a Crown 4002 XTi and people fear my bass!! ;)
Genes tech didnt leave for future endeavours. Gene sold him too.
Not before he autographed him!
Wow
I'm sure Gene sold his Grandmother, why not sell his tech.
He comes with the $100,000 package for the Chinese Axe bass.
Dude...Tommy Thayer is a super cool guy.
Just when he mentions he left Marshall there is a zoom in on a tiny Marshall amp in the cabinet. Too funny :-)
A true gentleman. Great to hear how humble he is.
Tommy Thayer, Childrens Hospital LA, Hughes & Kettner, this is getting to be a real informative interview that gives you a lot of insight.
Tommy seems like a really cool guy.
I love how he just hands him the guitars haha
When I glanced at the title I first thought it said "Rug Rundown," and that it would give info about Gene and Paul's wigs.
It was actually the "Wig Rundown" ;)
Tex van Buren or worse that time paul Stanley discussed getting crabs
If Gene wears a wig he needs a refund. Who the hell would pay for that?
Not as clever as you hoped
Someone needs to interview the tech thats running the rig for Pauls voice tracks for the End Of The Road Tour !!
Moon Stone as much as i love Paul, i spit my drink everywhere when i read this😂😂😂
Just your attempt to be disrespectful.
@@picassoboy52 why disrespectful ?? There is in fact a guy that runs vocal tracks for paul !!!
@@lmfs4032 LOL, well i appreciate that u laughed most people take things too seriously.
*hands interviewer brand new guitar that hasn’t been played yet* I thought that was awesome.
Tommy is a class act!!! I’ve met him several times on the psycho and farewell tours-he was always very cool!!
As complicated as it may seem , that is as simple as it gets being KISS as the band. What a great job.
Props to Paul and Tommy for keeping it real with absolutely no effects or "pedal boards".
Tommy is such nice down to earth guy for taking the time to talk to the little people that some are too busy for. I wonder if he gets to stay in the same hotel and/or have the same mode of travel??? Just a peasant apparently.
I have a backstage pass & a pick from Paul that he had just played the encore with..And an autographed 8/10 from the 2011 tour...They may be rock stars,but they're also just regular dudes & all are super cool..The drummer in my bands brother is Pauls orthopedic surgeon so thats how i got my in..
Paul Stanley's guitar tech here , Fran, died 4 days ago from COVID.. RIP
i think that hitch hiker got lost and some how ended up on backstage at the kiss concert 3:08
On his way to hug a tree.
i laughed so hard on that one xD didnt even notice it while watching it haha
🤣
Hahaha!
"here hold my one of a kind guitar thats probably worth more than your car real quick" i couldn't believe he handed that to him just like nothing
awesome rundown
This is hilarious, Tommy's a cool guy, he just works for D bags.
Bret Michaels yep, so Sco’s right
Gene and Paul get too much hate. I met Gene in 2017 when I was 12 and I told him how big of a fan I was and how I loved them since I was 4 and yadayadayada, and he grabbed me by the shoulders and led me around the Fanboy Expo we were at the day before my Meet and Greet with him (he was walking around shopping for KISS stuff he didn’t have or wanted another of to put in his office) and he talked to me for about 15 minutes. He saw the bag I was carrying and he said “what did you buy?” And I said “the SMITI KISS stage set” and he said “want me to sign it” and of course I said YES PLEASE!! and Paul, I met in 2014 on his book-signing in Nashville when i was 9 and he was really nice as well, he gave me a hug and a high five. This past Tuesday I saw them in Nashville on the EOTR tour, and I was right beside Paul’s b stage that he flies out to and he was singing right at us and looking right at me, and this is a KISS concert so of course I was jumping and having a good time. One of The security guards walked over to me and told me to “sit the f*** down” and it made me really mad and I guess Paul saw that I was upset because he threw me his pick, smiled, and gave me a thumbs up. I almost died!!!
Bret Michaels Fanpage Cool story..thanks for sharing....
Bret Michaels Fanpage that’s awesome!! I’ve only met tommy and Bruce at the Indy kiss expo, they were both very nice :-) Tommy took the time to actually hold a conversation with me, even though there was a big long line waiting to get things signed
Bret Michaels Fanpage I was at the EOTR tour too! Awesome show! That security guard sound like an ass, have fun and go crazy at concerts! Good story, I agree, they are both Great people! I met gene at a comic con and the whole band backstage at the EOTR tour.
1st Gen Kiss fan got off the train after rock + roll over enjoyed the 96 reunion but Tommy seems like a straight forward guy. Gained respect for him I didn't have before seeing this clip.
Tommy Thayer is one of the nicest people around. He's very kind and caring and I'm so very proud to call him a friend
As usual everything about KISS is awesome, and the fact that Mr Thayer donates his royalties from his signature amp is just a bonus for fans to know the quality of people that make this band Amazing
Tommy is a super cool dude in this video
What is a song which is playing in the backgroud in first minutes of this video when they are talking about amps?
Thommy co-wrote many cool KISS tunes over the years. Too bad, that they won't play them live. He deserve much more appreciation. 🤘🤘
jesus. gene is such a money grabber lol sells a bass every show for 10 grand? while the lead guitar player everyone hates takes the time to do this video and plug his charity efforts..
If he could bag his sweat and sell it, he would.
Correct. Nothing is more important than money. It does buy happiness and security. That's just the way this world works. If you don't have enough, you will die. If you have more than enough, you get to watch the rest of humanity struggle while you sip Walker Blue Label from your penthouse.
Tommy Thayer is a classy guy. Too bad the same can't be said about Stanley and Simmons.
@@loveiseternity I would love to buy Gene for what he's worth and sell him for what he thinks he's worth. I would make a fortune.
@@alfredbitchcock2765 There are a lot more things important than money. Money is a necessary evil.
9:55 What in the actual fuck? Was that Frankenstein's yawn?
I met Tommy Thayer today in Verona, Italy, Signed my arm ( yep Tattoo) and was such a nice guy.. Love his awesome tone & guitar playing
How are the picks staying on the guitars? Wat do they use to keep them on there?
Tommy is very articulate, charming and polite. Hope Gene and Paul treat him well.
Because you never know when you might drop 100 picks in one gig :-)
I almost choked on that one, very funny
+robert dunkes 79
or a hundred at the camera 0:23
Had a good chuckle to that well done sir
RIP Francis Stuber. He was a great person and professional stage tech.
How’d he die?
@@stanknugget He unfortunately passed away from Covid in October 2021, was Paul's tech for 20 years.
am i the only one who thinks it is ridiculous to have a signature guitar with different specs than what is sold?
No you're not, it's daft.
Thank you! Whew! LOL
I've never heard anyone complain before about having a custom guitar built for themselves, or anyone else. This is a new experience for me, so let me take it in for processing.
Nice guy, great player, not many people donate royalties to childrens hospital. TOM=COOL, ACE=THE MAN, no prob
It’s good to hear someone banging out Van Halen back there on the guitar. 👍🏻
Man I had that blacknblue first cassette i luved it the guitars their sound the mix and your playing.
Very cool...thanks for posting this...Paul going back to Ibanez PS10s!
Hey, Gene, look at what I invented: \m/
If you'll do it on stage, you will have to pay me.
Not clever
@@picassoboy52 you're just jealous because this man is about to be rich
Gene absolutely did not invent it.
unclear sentence/bad English!
good call on going back to the ps10 paul ;)
Dumb question. Anyone know what they use to have the pics on the side of the guitar bodies? Or is it just the obvious of double sided tape?
guys ,does anyone know if tommys main guitar (burst with cream pickups) was aged by gibson or if he ust played it and it got that look?thanks cool video
Tommy is a real nice guy .
Paul going back to Ibanez is the best news I've heard all year!
How much they paying him?
You 3 understand RJ is a touring musician who goes all over the world right?...but he's also a fan, and we can all get excited, we also know that Ibanez is more iconic with KISS than Washburn
I have a Paul Washburn and a Paul Ibanez. The Washburn plays way better.
@@lmfs4032 Really?
AC yes.
What brand did Jason say the input cable jack is for Gene's basses?
That introduction is from the 96 vma performance with the original lineup under the Brooklyn bridge
tommy is a really cool dude. super friendly.
Funny how Paul's tech refuses to say Firebird
"Yeah...kinda like those...classic guitars." lol
*****
More like kiss only plays or mentions guitars if someone is paying them.
"Resembles the classic look of... classic guitar he played back in the day" LMAO
+Raven Nevermore
It's Kiss. EVERYTHING'S about the money. Explaining the Iceman got kind of delicate too. Funny when it comes to that; you get to play or talk about a favoured guitar based on business arrangements.
Well, the Iceman... I think there are issues with that model as it is... In terms of rights, I mean.
Ibanez themselves just calling it the IC most of the time. - In fact, I think Ibanez are just phasing the model out again. Last time I checked I couldn't find it on their website among the million other ones.
Sad... It should be treated as their flagship, but it's all that RG-stuff. They do that well, but not that unique like Gibson has the Les Paul and so on.
August 19th is my birthdate, I am 53 and in real good health. I am in a resthome for the elderly because of a childhood disability. I have always wanted to visit with the band and interact with the ideas that are dicussed. Perhaps, I could pay you to allow me to go on tour with the band??? I may have a disability but you will never know what this band has actually meant to me all of these years. KISS FAN FOREVER
The Duncan '59 is a great neck pickup. I have one in the neck of my PRS.
Wait, wait !! You mean to tell me KISS play Instruments ?? When did THIS happen ?? LOL
Hey everybody. Got to let you know I have listened to MANY BANDS AND ALBUMS. I can't express enough this fact. Tommys first band BLACK N BLUE is the most kickass band ever. EVERY SONG on the first album, nasty, nasty, without love, and in heat is friggin incredible. These four albums are epic. So much so that Gene supported and produced all of them i believe. Out of countless bands bnb is my absolute favorite. If tommy wrote all that music then he is the baddest man alive. CHECK IT OUT! !!!!!!!!!
I was at this show. Great show.
Excellent rundown! The backstage crew never get enough props, and I figure the Kiss crew has got to be among the best, if not the best considering the extravaganza that has been the Kiss show for a long time. All those techs sound sane, sober and savvy. Props!
Got to give the boys credit. What you're hearing is what they're doing on stage. Just straight ahead, balls out Rock 'n' Roll. Thayer sounds like a thoughtful guy.
Best rig rundown yet, Malmsteen's is my 2nd fave. Glad Mr. Stanley is going back with the PS-10!
i was super stoked to see Tommy show his gear off, he's a great replacement for Ace Frehley
Chech out Steve Stevens rig rundown!
How do the picks on Paul Stanley’s guitar work?
How could one interviewer not smile looking at some of that gear, especially Genes gaudy but cool basses.
Tommy's a cool human being!
I was a stagehand at the reunion and psychocircus tour here in Holland. I remember the guys from the roadcrew saying "this must be the worst band we ever worked with".......
Funny how people choose to emphasize the most negative shit they can find
What is the function of the mini marshal on Tommy's rack?
Little wonder the Hughes and Kettner sounds so good, did you get a look at the size of those output transformers inside the cabinet?
T0MMY IT IS GREAT TO HEAR YOUR PROCEDES (SP?) GOING TO CHAIRITY-------------------ROCK ON.
R.I.P francis😢We will miss you😢
RIP Fran Stueber, Paul’s guitar tech. Passed away from COVID yesterday.
Does the jazz pickup go any lower,i dont think it even catches anything ?
Why even have it on there in the first place ?
it's awesome seeing what gear they use to get their guitar sound, now i know what gear not to get
In other words you couldn't afford it even if you wanted to
@@picassoboy52 you and i not being able to afford it is irrelevant. I wouldn't want their guitar sound because it's not very good. I get a better sound plugged straight into my Randall with no effects.
podoz...hilarious!
I was on the KISS cruise recently and Gene`s bass tone was killer!
What a fantastic gig! Happy New year's *****! PTB rocks!
BTW F all you hater youtube idiots! we are sick of your shit.. write a song and create something or STFU!!!
way to waste money.
BasedRogue why is it a waste...he enjoyed himself you fcking idiot! Go waste ur money on what u to waste it on 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
I like when the player can explain and present their own equipment instead of their personal technician.
Caught a glimpse of him in 2013 at a Kiss convention in NJ. Tall as a tree , hell of a gentleman.