From Fan to Stage Star: How KISS Guy Became a Foo Fighters Legend

Have you heard of Yayo Sanchez, also known as “KISS Guy,” a nickname given to him by Dave Grohl on April 18, 2018? If not, you’re in for a treat. Grohl himself dubbed KISS Guy the ultimate guest to join Foo Fighters on stage, and his story is quite intriguing. So, how did Sanchez earn this nickname? It all started when he attended a Foo Fighters concert in Austin, Texas, wearing the signature Gene Simmons makeup from KISS. Initially, Sanchez 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 being asked 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 responded enthusiastically, “Hell yeah, I can f#ck with you, KISS Guy!” Onstage, the banter continued, with Chris Shiflett expressing a preference for KISS member Ace Frehley. Sanchez seized the moment, raised his sign again, and soon Grohl called him up onstage with a friendly, “Hey, KISS Guy.” Check it out:

KISS Guy’s performance was so electrifying that Grohl even lost his place in the lyrics for a moment. But this wasn’t just a stroke of luck for Sanchez; he had been preparing for moments like this his whole life. Just four days after this iconic performance, Metal Nexus shared 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 journey to the Foo Fighters stage began even earlier when, at 14, he attended Rock’N’Roll Fantasy Camp in London, where participants jam with rock stars. Scott Rowley from Classic Rock, who was there, described Sanchez as a “teenage rock genius.” Learn more about KISS Guy’s story here:

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

Grohl has been a huge KISS fan since he bought their “Destroyer” album in 1976. The band’s influence on his music is undeniable, making the connection with KISS Guy at the Austin concert even more special. Finally, here’s a fun clip from Austin’s KLBJ 93.7: