When Rock Legends Collide: The Night KISS Guy Rocked with Foo Fighters

Are you familiar with Yayo Sanchez, who earned the nickname “KISS Guy” from Dave Grohl on April 18, 2018? If not, you’re in for a treat. Dubbed by Grohl as the ultimate guest to join Foo Fighters on stage, KISS Guy’s journey is nothing short of fascinating. But what led Grohl to give Sanchez such a nickname? It all started when Sanchez attended a Foo Fighters concert in Austin, Texas, wearing Gene Simmons’ iconic KISS makeup. At first, he was just another fan in the crowd, holding a sign asking to play “Monkeywrench.”

As the show went on, Sanchez caught Grohl’s eye. After initially being told to lower his sign, Grohl eventually engaged with him, asking if he was wearing a mask or face paint. When Sanchez confirmed it was face paint, Grohl enthusiastically responded, “Hell yeah, I can f#ck with you, KISS Guy!” Onstage, the banter continued, with Chris Shiflett noting his preference for Ace Frehley, another KISS member. Sensing his chance, Sanchez raised his sign again, and Grohl soon called him onstage with a cheerful “Hey, KISS Guy.” Take a look:

KISS Guy’s performance was so electrifying that Grohl even lost his place in the lyrics for a moment. This wasn’t just luck for Sanchez; he’d been preparing for such opportunities. Just four days after this unforgettable moment, Metal Nexus reported that Sanchez’s musical journey began at age nine when his father introduced him to KISS and bought him a guitar. Since then, Sanchez has played with legends like Slash, Roger Daltrey, Billy Gibbons, and Paul Stanley.

Sanchez’s path to sharing the stage with Foo Fighters dates back to when he was 14 and attended Rock’N’Roll Fantasy Camp in London, where participants get to perform with rock stars. Scott Rowley from Classic Rock, who was present, called Sanchez a “teenage rock genius.” Here’s more on KISS Guy’s story:

By the time Sanchez joined Foo Fighters onstage, he was already a seasoned musician, with two singles ready for release and experience opening for bands like Quiet Riot and LA Guns. While some might think such on-stage invites are staged, Grohl’s videos show these moments are genuine.

Grohl himself has been deeply influenced by KISS since he bought their “Destroyer” album in 1976. The influence of KISS on Grohl’s career is undeniable, making his connection with KISS Guy at the Austin show even more meaningful. To wrap things up, here’s a fun clip from Austin’s KLBJ 93.7: