KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer has recently weighed in on speculation surrounding his musical future after the band’s farewell tour, addressing whether he might reunite more formally with his former group, Black ‘N Blue. Speaking to Music Radar, Thayer outlined his current mindset when it comes to working with his old bandmates and set clear expectations about any potential live performances.
“It’s something we just genuinely enjoy doing together, and if people love what comes out of it, that’s a pure bonus,” Thayer said. “It’s pretty simple. I’ll get together with Black ‘N Blue occasionally, like at the KISS Las Vegas event, which was an absolute blast, but there are no live shows with me playing with them on the horizon.”
He went on to highlight the close, familial connection he still shares with the members of Black ‘N Blue, stressing that those relationships remain strong despite the lack of concrete plans.
“Getting together with those guys is like hanging out with brothers,” he continued. “We just laugh, have fun, and pick up right where we left off. There are no real plans to do more right now. It’s more special when it happens naturally.”
Thayer’s comments follow his onstage appearance with Black ‘N Blue at the KISS Las Vegas event, a moment that fueled rumors of a possible reunion. His history with KISS, however, stretches back more than 20 years and began well before he officially took over lead guitar duties. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, when original guitarist Ace Frehley exited the band in 2002, Thayer stepped into the role rather than former guitarist Bruce Kulick, having already worked behind the scenes with KISS since the mid-1990s.
The move from Black ‘N Blue to KISS marked a notable chapter in rock history. As noted by Wikipedia, KISS was formed in New York City in 1973 by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, and Thayer eventually assumed the iconic “Spaceman” persona once associated with Frehley, becoming a permanent member during the band’s later era.
Thayer’s relaxed stance on occasional collaborations mirrors a wider pattern within the rock and metal scene. Loudwire reported that 2025 has seen a surge in high-profile reunions, with bands like Black Sabbath, Oasis, and Rush generating buzz with comeback news. Even so, many musicians are opting for limited appearances rather than full reunion tours.
By favoring spontaneous, low-pressure collaborations over large-scale touring, Thayer distinguishes himself from the more commercial reunion model that has become common in the industry. His focus on authenticity and personal connection points to a more intimate and deliberate direction for his musical life after KISS.
