Yayo Sanchez is also known as KISS Guy, a title bestowed upon him by Dave Grohl on April 18, 2018. He has earned the distinction of being the most outstanding audience member invited onstage to perform with the Foo Fighters, and Dave Grohl himself attests to this. Wondering why Dave Grohl dubbed Sanchez KISS Guy? Well, during a Foo Fighters concert in Austin, Texas, Sanchez sported Gene Simmons’ The Demon face paint. Initially, he displayed a yellow poster board sign requesting to play “Monkeywrench.”
Standing near the stage, Sanchez lowered the sign upon someone’s request, only to capture Grohl’s attention later in the performance. Grohl, curious about Sanchez’s face paint, engaged in conversation, leading to the iconic moment when Grohl exclaimed, “Hell yeah, I can f#ck with you Kiss Guy!” Onstage banter included Chris Shiflett expressing a preference for Ace Frehley, to which Sanchez responded by raising his sign. The unforgettable interaction unfolded, causing Grohl to momentarily forget the lyrics, a testament to KISS Guy’s impressive presence.
You can watch the moment here:
As the video shows, KISS Guy’s performance was so impressive that it momentarily stumped Dave Grohl. Sanchez, seizing his moment, delivered a standout performance.
Now, who is Yayo Sanchez? Metal Nexus reported that just four days after his Foo Fighters gig, Sanchez’s father gifted him a guitar at the age of nine, introducing him to KISS. The article highlights Sanchez’s notable collaborations with music stars like Slash, Roger Daltry, Billy Gibbons, and Paul Stanley.
How did a teenager achieve such musical prowess? Eleven years before earning the title of KISS Guy, 14-year-old Sanchez participated in the Rock’N’Roll Fantasy Camp in London, a program where participants rock and roll with renowned stars. Scott Rowley, who attended the same camp, described Sanchez as a “teenage rock genius” in a Classic Rock article. Watch a news report on KISS Guy here.
Following his Foo Fighters performance, it was revealed that Sanchez had two songs ready for release, “Mothership” and “The Call,” with his band Y. Additionally, his band had already opened for Quiet Riot and LA Guns.
Given KISS Guy’s exceptional talent, some might question if such moments are staged. Dave Grohl emphatically denies any setup, as seen in this video.
KISS was a significant influence on Dave Grohl during his youth. In 1976, he purchased KISS’s “Destroyer” album, an experience that left a lasting impact. It’s no surprise that Grohl connected with KISS Guy in the Austin audience. Please enjoy this fun video from Austin’s KLBJ 93.7!
If you are interested in Yayo Sanchez, consider subscribing to his YouTube channel or following him on Facebook and Instagram. Visit his official website for more information.