Yayo Sanchez—better known as KISS Guy—joins Foo Fighters on stage for an unforgettable performance of “Monkeywrench.”

Yayo Sanchez was just another passionate rock fan before making history at the Foo Fighters’ show in Austin, Texas. On April 18, 2018, he arrived at the venue with his face fully painted as Gene Simmons’ “The Demon,” immediately catching the crowd’s attention. Holding a bright yellow sign that asked to play “Monkeywrench” with the band, Sanchez stood near the stage, but some people around him told him to put the sign down. Still, his persistence and high energy helped him stand out in the audience.

As the concert continued, Dave Grohl finally noticed Sanchez from the stage. Curious about the fan in full KISS makeup, Grohl squinted at him and asked whether he was wearing a mask or if it was painted on. When Sanchez replied that it was paint, Grohl grinned and shouted, “Hell yeah, I can f#ck with you, KISS Guy!” Right then and there, the nickname was born. Guitarist Chris Shiflett jokingly commented that he preferred Ace Frehley, but Sanchez, undeterred, kept raising his sign. It didn’t take long before Grohl addressed him again, calling out, “Hey, KISS Guy!” and the crowd erupted.

After a few more songs, Grohl invited Sanchez to join them on stage—a moment that electrified the entire venue. When Sanchez strapped on a guitar and launched into “Monkeywrench,” he played with such confidence and showmanship that even Dave Grohl forgot the lyrics for a moment, smiling from ear to ear. The band’s chemistry with Sanchez felt completely natural, making it clear this was more than just a typical fan interaction.

Sanchez seized his moment, delivering a performance so memorable that fans and band members alike would talk about it for years. Videos of the night went viral almost instantly. In the days following the concert, more details about Sanchez’s journey surfaced, revealing that his love for music ran deep. According to Metal Nexus, his father gave him his first guitar and introduced him to KISS when he was just nine years old, setting him on a path that would lead to sharing the stage with rock legends.

Long before he became KISS Guy, Sanchez had already mingled with rock royalty. He had jammed with icons like Slash, Roger Daltrey, Billy Gibbons, and Paul Stanley, and his guitar prowess was already known among those in the music scene. By the time he was fourteen, Sanchez had attended the Rock’N’Roll Fantasy Camp in London—a unique experience where fans learn and play alongside music legends for several days. Scott Rowley from Classic Rock magazine described Sanchez as a “teenage rock genius,” recalling his standout moments during the camp’s Battle of the Bands.

His journey was never just about one viral moment—it was years in the making, filled with passion and persistence. By the time Grohl called him “KISS Guy,” Sanchez had already opened for bands like Quiet Riot and LA Guns with his own group Y, and he was preparing to release original songs like “Mothership” and “The Call.” Every step seemed to be leading to that unforgettable night on the Foo Fighters’ stage.

Skeptics often question whether such onstage fan moments are staged, especially when the “fan” delivers such a polished performance. But Dave Grohl made it clear, both in interviews and on stage, that there was no setup—Sanchez’s energy and talent were genuine and spontaneous. The authenticity of the encounter only made the moment more powerful for everyone present.

Notably, KISS was a major influence not just for Sanchez, but also for Dave Grohl himself. Grohl has often recalled how, in 1976, he bought KISS’s “Destroyer” album as a kid and instantly became a lifelong fan. That album filled his room—and his imagination—with explosive rock energy. Years later, seeing a kindred spirit in Sanchez, Grohl couldn’t help but welcome him on stage as if it was fate.

Both Grohl and Sanchez share more than just a love for KISS—they embody the spirit of rock, believing in the magic that happens when music brings people together. This connection bridged generations and turned an ordinary concert night in Austin into a legendary memory for everyone lucky enough to witness it.

As more news outlets covered the story, fans learned that Sanchez had never lost sight of his dream. The Austin performance wasn’t his first brush with the spotlight, nor would it be his last. Even as he continued to pursue his own music, the moment on stage with Foo Fighters became a symbol of what can happen when preparation meets opportunity—and when fans are truly seen by their heroes.

Looking back, the “KISS Guy” story proves that some of the best moments in rock aren’t scripted—they happen in the instant when the right fan meets the right band at just the right time. With Grohl grinning beside him, Sanchez didn’t just play a song—he became a living legend for one night, inspiring countless musicians and fans alike to keep reaching for their own dreams.

That night, the boundary between fan and band disappeared, reminding everyone that the spirit of rock is about participation, passion, and community. Yayo Sanchez will always be remembered as the fan who stepped up and delivered—turning a simple sign and some face paint into a moment that defined a concert, a band, and a generation of fans.

And in Austin’s music scene, his name is still spoken with pride. Sanchez, now forever known as “KISS Guy,” showed that all it takes is a little courage, a lot of heart, and a love for music to turn a dream into an unforgettable reality.