Tommy Thayer, Kiss, and Brigadier General James Thayer
A Portland Paramount Experience — Memorial Day 2023
As a young man in the mid-1970s, Tom Thayer didn’t know his life’s journey would lead to his dreams coming true.
Thayer was born in Beaverton, Oregon, and attended Sunset High School. He took up guitar in his early teens while at Meadow Park Jr. High School, footsteps away from his family’s home. Located in a quiet section of Beaverton called Cedar Hills, it was a fine place to grow up.
In those days, kids were free to roam and explore, could fill their canteens from a creek, neighborhood football contests were held in front yards, and dirt clod fights between rival neighbors were considered great fun. Bleeding down your face from a well-aimed clod? Rub dirt on it. Need help? Knock on any door, you knew everyone.
Nowadays, across from Meadow Park, the Nike World Headquarters looms over the athletic field like an alien spaceship.
Tom grew up in a happy home. His mother, Patricia Thayer, was an accomplished singer, violinist, and painter who surrounded the family with music and art. His father, James, was a career military man and lived an extraordinary life. Both parents strongly encouraged their family’s creative instincts and projects.
Thayer admired guitarists like Ronnie Montrose, and Pete Townsend and was a big Kiss fan. He learned guitar by studying their riffs, practicing for long hours, and playing with musical friends. Tom often hosted jam sessions and band rehearsals in a space next to his family’s home.
Along the way, he played alto sax in the Sunset High School Symphonic Band and lit up high school dances with his band Crossroader. And naturally, he was a regular at Paramount Theater concerts.
Then came the popular Portland band, Movie Star. David Geffen signed Tommy’s next band, Black and Blue, who played the Sunset Strip after moving to Los Angeles. Kiss bassist Gene Simmons took notice and produced their albums. Gene and Tommy developed mutual respect and admiration, and Tommy joined the Kiss Machine, playing many roles, directing projects, and managing tours.
During the journey, Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley became out of control and unable to live up to band standards.
In 2003, Tommy was ready and was asked to replace Ace. Since he knew every song and riff, the guitarist hit the ground running. Tom fulfilled every musician’s dream. He joined his favorite band. Even better, they were superstars and about to begin a sold-out worldwide tour.
Twenty years later, he remains in the spotlight a cornerstone in the Kiss juggernaut.
Now for the important part. (Gene and Tommy) found they had more in common besides music. They discovered a moment of serendipity.
Tommy’s father, Brigadier General James B. Thayer, served heroically in World War II. He distinguished himself with an extensive list of impressive accomplishments. In 1945, General Thayer was charged with leading a platoon on a dangerous expedition through enemy territory. The brave warriors battled Nazi soldiers in a fierce fight that ended with the surrender of 800 German fighters. For the general’s triumph, he earned a Silver Star Medal for Valor in Combat.
While searching the battlefield, they encountered something beyond the horrors of war. It shocked them to the core. They discovered the Gunskirchen Lager Concentration Camp. For Thayer, it was a life-changing experience.
When Thayer and his men arrived, they encountered more than 15,000 Hungarian Jews and hundreds of political prisoners. They were held in conditions that had to be seen to be believed. They proceeded to liberate the camp, likely saving the lives of its entire population.
General Thayer and his platoon also rescued Flora Klein, Gene Simon’s mother, and other family members that were incarcerated in Gunskirchen.
Gene and Tommy learned of the mind-blowing coincidence in 2012. Later, Gene said of James Thayer, “I owe a debt of gratitude to General Thayer. Meeting him was a humbling experience, I was in the presence of greatness.”
Upon his retirement, James Thayer became a prosperous businessman. He also developed into a community champion, and dedicated his efforts to supporting a wide range of philanthropic endeavors. His family is busy continuing his work and forming their own charitable affairs and community projects.
In the Lake Oswego Review, General Thayer said “For the rest of my life, all I want to do is make other people happy and help other people”.
Sadly, James Thayer passed away on December 16, 2018, at age 96. He left our world a finer place, and his influence will live across generations.
