While a number of diehard KISS fans still see Tommy Thayer as the guy who replaced Ace Frehley, there’s at least one person who views the guitarist as an integral part of the veteran band: Thayer himself.
“I don’t know if many people realize this, but I’ve been the lead guitarist in KISS longer than any other KISS guitar player,” Thayer says. “But I will always be known as ‘the new guy’ though — no matter what happens. I’m the Ronnie Wood of KISS.”
Thayer, who joined the band in 2003, goes on to say his main role in KISS has been to serve as the “glue” that holds the legendary group together. “My legacy will be a guy who came in, worked hard, and was the glue that kept the band together for a long period of time,” he says. “I think the kind of character and personality that I have is that of a team player and somebody who can bring people together and bind things together.”
Is Thayer a better guitarist than Frehley?