From Fan to Legend: Yayo Sanchez’s Unforgettable Night as KISS Guy with Foo Fighters
September 15, 2024
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Are you acquainted with Yayo Sanchez, famously dubbed “KISS Guy” by Dave Grohl on April 18, 2018? If not, you’re in for a delightful story. Hailed by Grohl as the ultimate guest to join the Foo Fighters on stage, KISS Guy’s tale is truly fascinating. But how did Sanchez earn this nickname? It all began when he attended a Foo Fighters concert in Austin, Texas, donning the iconic Gene Simmons makeup from KISS. Just another fan in the crowd, he held up a sign pleading for a chance to play “Monkeywrench.”
As the concert progressed, Sanchez caught Grohl’s attention. After initially asking him to lower his sign, Grohl eventually engaged with him, inquiring whether he was wearing a mask or face paint. Upon learning it was face paint, Grohl enthusiastically exclaimed, “Hell yeah, I can mess with you, KISS Guy!” Once on stage, the playful banter continued, with Chris Shiflett mentioning Ace Frehley, another member of KISS. Seizing the moment, Sanchez raised his sign again, and Grohl finally invited him onstage, saying, “Hey, KISS Guy.” Check it out:
KISS Guy’s performance was so electrifying that Grohl briefly lost track of the lyrics. This wasn’t mere luck for Sanchez; he had been preparing for a moment like this. Just four days later, Metal Nexus reported that Sanchez’s musical journey began at the age of nine when his father introduced him to KISS and bought him a guitar. Since then, he has performed with music legends like Slash, Roger Daltrey, Billy Gibbons, and Paul Stanley.
Sanchez’s path to the Foo Fighters stage dates back even further to when he was 14 and attended the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp in London, where participants get to perform with rock stars. Scott Rowley from Classic Rock, who was at the camp, described Sanchez as a “teenage rock genius.” Here’s more on KISS Guy’s journey:
By the time he joined the Foo Fighters onstage, Sanchez was already well-versed in the music scene, with two singles ready for release and experience opening for bands like Quiet Riot and LA Guns. While some might suspect these on-stage invitations are prearranged, Grohl’s videos emphasize the genuine spontaneity of these moments.
Dave Grohl himself has been deeply inspired by KISS ever since he purchased their “Destroyer” album in 1976. The influence of KISS on Grohl’s music career is evident, making his connection with KISS Guy during the Austin show even more special. To conclude, here’s a fun clip from Austin’s KLBJ 93.7:
