From Epiphone.com

Guitarist Michael Katselos demonstrates the Epiphone Tommy Thayer "Spaceman" Les Paul Standard in this six-minute, informative video. The former Fozzy guitarist is currently playing with Australian metal band Segression, whose album Smile, is still one of the top-selling metal albums in Australia. A new album is expected from Segression this year.

There has never been an American rock and roll band like KISS and Epiphone's Limited Edition Tommy Thayer "Spaceman" Les Paul Standard Outfit is a one-of-a-kind tribute worthy of KISS's 21st century "Spaceman."

Now you can win a "Spaceman" Les Paul! It's easy! Click for details and to enter!

GOOD LUCK!!!

5 Minutes Alone with TOMMY THAYER

He might spend the morning putting on his makeup, but that doesn't mean the KISS guitarist doesn't have time to call TG!

I got my first real six-string

"I come from a real musical family. My mom was a concert violinist, a very astute musician and vocalist also, so we grew up with a lot of classical music around the house, and show tunes. I got all the best of the classics and of popular music being drummed into my ears from the get-go. We had a guitar sitting around - it was a cheap, small-scale Stella acoustic guitar. I started learning the basic chords when I was about 12 or 13 years old. My mom saw that I was into it, and she helped me purchase my first electric guitar. We ended up buying a Fender Mustang."

Tommy confirms his astronautical credentials with his Epiphone Spaceman Les Paul

Dream On

"I just dreamed of owning a Les Paul some day, because I had seen pictures of bands, and all my favorite guitar players played Les Pauls. We're talkin' about Ronnie Montrose, Peter Frampton, Davey Johnstone from Elton John's band, Steve Marriott. And even KISS actually: from the beginning, Ace was playing Les Pauls. I had that Fender Mustang and I was stoked, but it didn't sound that great. About a year later, I got a Les Paul. In the used ads in the newspaper, I found a '72/'73 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop. I think I bought that for about $400."

I was made for lovin' you baby, you were made for lovin' me

"I was thinking I would like to do a signature guitar - a limited edition Les Paul - and I thought it would be cool to go to Epiphone to do it. The reason was so I could make a really high-quality guitar that was also affordable to everyone. I sent Jim Rosenberg (president of Epiphone) all the specs for my Gibson Silver Sparkle Top, and the point he made was great, he said: 'Tommy we need to make this guitar exactly like your other one, right down to the tuners, to the exact pickups.' We took all the best parts, good-quality Gibson 498 pickups, which I've used forever. Even the bridge pickup cover was removed - if it's good enough for Jimmy Page, it's good enough for me!"

Whether he's playing to 100 or 100,000, Tommy gives his playing (and his makeup) his all

Listen, do you want to know a secret?

"Don't be self-conscious; try to relax. When you're onstage you need to be more in the moment. Things flow twice as well when you approach it that way. Now, it's important when you're rehearsing and practicing to do the opposite: you should be thinking and analysing. But when you actually get onstage, you just wanna quit thinking and just be feeling! (laughs) You can't play your best when you're thinking too much."

Shut up 'n' play yer guitar

"My philosophy for guitar playing, or trying to make it in the music business generally, is that you need to persevere. The key is putting yourself out there, and making something happen on your own. I think that's more important than how talented someone is. I really do.

Strange times are here

"Well the strangest gig, honestly, was the first gig I played with KISS. I was a private concert in Jamaica for 100 people. There was this guy, it was his birthday. He was this very wealthy Russian man, 30 years old, and he had a party down there and we were hired to come down and play. I'm sure they paid us well to do it, but it was very strange, because being onstage in front of just 100 people was very bizarre; we had a full-size stage, full production, full everything - make-up, costumes, boots."

Tommy spent a lot of time asking us questions and making sure we got the guitar and case signed with a sincere and personal message. Lots of photos where taken and we were able to get our Aussie AFL tour shirt signed! Tommy even allowed me (Pam) to wear his armband for a photo and then I helped him zip it back up. So in my mind, I helped Tommy get ready for the show (lol!).

The show was amazing but the highlight was definitely the encore. It is so hard to describe the feeling of seeing your very own piece of KISStory up on stage and on the big screen. A big thank you to everyone involved and again to Tommy for making sure that we had the experience of a lifetime and we’ve got the guitar to prove it!!

—Regards, Pam and Rob (from Sydney)

A TT Guitar 'stage-played' Fan Experience in Sydney, Australia

Review: Epiphone Spaceman Tommy Thayer Signature Les Paul

by Guitar World Staff

If the Kiss Army were to appoint a general, it would have to be the band’s lead guitarist, Tommy “Spaceman” Thayer.

Long before he donned Ace Frehley’s iconic makeup and became the band’s official ax master in 2003, Thayer had already developed an impressive service record with the group, included writing and recording demos with Gene Simmons, managing the 1995 Kiss Worldwide Convention Tour and working as producer and editor on the Kiss films The Second Coming, Detroit Rock City and The Last Kiss.

Thayer’s signature Epiphone Spaceman continues his tradition of stellar contributions to the Kiss legacy. It’s a souped-up tour de force of tone and certainly one of the most thrilling and well-balanced Les Pauls created in recent years. In addition to featuring a pair of Gibson’s hotter 498T pickups, it has an ultra-cool retro-style silver-flake finish. Epiphone is making only 1,000 of the limited-edition Spaceman.

Here's Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer getting ready to rock the Brennan Academy with Joey Allen, Chuck Garric, Robby Krieger of The Doors, Alice Cooper and Sebastian Bach last night in South Dakota.

Excerpts from a story by By DIRK LAMMERS, Associated Press

The $1,000-a-ticket concert is a fundraiser for the center, which is the brainchild of Sioux Falls native Chuck Brennan. Brennan, the founder of short-term lender Dollar Loan Center, based his idea on Cooper's Solid Rock Foundation in Phoenix.

Cooper said about 100 kids a night are flocking to his Solid Rock center, which opened about two years ago.

"If you take one kid out of a gang and get him involved in rock 'n' roll or get him involved in a guitar or bass or drums, you don't just change that kid, you change the neighborhood," he said.

The Sioux Falls academy has had the feel of an exclusive, intimate venue this week, but starting in April it will become the afternoon home for young people looking to learn or improve their skills in guitar, bass, drums, keyboards or vocals.

Lessons will be given in nine soundproof rehearsal rooms, five of which are wired to a professional mixing and recording studio. The four upstairs rehearsal rooms will honor KISS, with each decorated as an homage to the band members' characters: The Demon, Starchild, Catman and Spaceman.

KISS' Thayer, who grew up playing saxophone in a school music program before he ever touched a guitar, said the facility will spark kids' creative side.

"I'm blown away with this whole facility," Thayer said. "I think it's a great thing."

Construction begins, fundraising continues on the Brigadier General James B. Thayer Oregon Military Museum

The first phase of project construction to renovate the Oregon Military Museum will begin next month at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas.

Removal of existing facilities at Camp Withycombe, an active Oregon National Guard post, will make room for new buildings, a plaza and a new entry gate, according to Gary Van Drew, senior project manager for the Oregon Military Department.

The $6.5 million capital campaign to renovate the museum, which will commemorate the military service and sacrifice of all Oregonians who have served in the nation’s armed forces, continues with a fundraising event April 20 at the Governor Hotel in Portland.

The All Star Salute will include a silent auction and live entertainment by Tommy Thayer of the rock band KISS, Patrick Lamb, Linda Hornbuckle, and Derrick McDuffey of Kingdom Sound.

Tommy Thayer is the son of Brig. Gen. James B. Thayer, whom the museum will be named after. Brig. Gen. Thayer is an Oregon native who helped liberate a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. He earned a Silver Star and Bronze Star.

Tickets for the All Star Salute are $150 each, of which $100 is tax-deductible are available by visiting the Oregon Historical Outreach website.

For more information on the capital campaign and the Oregon Military Museum renovation, visit www.allstarsalute.com To make a donation, click on the “donate” button.

The guitar will be auctioned to raise funds for the foundation established in Nicole's honor to offer financial assistance to up-and-coming performers who have passion and drive but not the means to achieve their dreams.

Here's KISS performing "Outta This World" - at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. Also includes Tommy and Eric's solo jam.

Filmed by Keith Leroux for KISSONLINE

Tommy took his time with us, we took some cool pictures with the guitar and he was very nice. I was in seventh heaven when I saw Tommy playing on the guitar he just signed about one hour earlier - that is a feeling I`ll never forget.

Now Tommys guitar - mine :-) is hanging on my wall with the other guitars I have. When I look at the guitar today, I think back at the good experience I had when I bought this guitar from Tommy.

Me and my wife are looking forward to see you in Norway this summer. I`ll bring the guitar so we can take the picture all three.


Best regards,
Cato

We wanted to write you and thank you for the experience that came with the the Autographed Tommy Thayer Signature Series Spaceman Les Paul Guitar and The Backstage Meet and Greet on the KKII (KISS Kruise II)!

We truly enjoyed meeting you and talking with your before the show while you signed the guitar! Posing for photos with us and the guitar backstage was awesome! The appreciation you have for your fans is genuine and incredible! Your staff was great and made the experience a memorable event!

During the concert, it was fantastic when you came out on stage with the guitar during the encore and played "Rock & Roll All Nite!!" We took many pictures of you playing the signed guitar up on stage while it was being played! Having the guitar handed to us after the concert was priceless!!

It was an amazing experience we will never forget! It was "Outta This World!" Thank you!

— Jeff and Lauren

This is a picture of my autographed Tommy Thayer Epiphone Limited Edition Spaceman Les Paul. It's displayed in my custom cabinet crafted by Ozark Valley Displays. I love it!

— Frances Stevens

For more information on the Tommy Thayer Epiphone Limited Edition Spaceman Les Paul visit tommythayerguitar.com