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We're joined this week by former KISS guitar tech & Judas Priest roadie Tom Harper. Tom is well-known in KISS circles as having played the bass track on the song Shandi from 1980's Unmasked album. In this discussion, you'll hear the story of how Tom wound up replacing the firebreathing demon, Gene Simmons, in the studio. Also included at the end of this episode is a basic track of Shandi from Tom's personal collection.
We go all the way back to Tom's roots as he witnessed the Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. This rock and roll indoctrination led him to join a band in high school that was playing 21+ establishments while still a teen in the New Haven, CT rock scene. High school jam bands gave way to professional gigs and a move to New York City to join the hard rock band BUX. After some tragic circumstances cause BUX to get dropped by management, Harper was left with no job in New York. A job working for SIR Rehearsal Studios would lead him to cross paths with the Hottest Band in the Land.
In this long-form discussion Harper shares his memories of an awkward first meeting with Paul Stanley on the set of the Dynasty album photo shoot as well as the specific hand gestures the Startchild invoked as a directive to his new guitar tech.
Harper shares stories about the wild ride of the Dynasty tour and the subsequent problems that occurred along the way including the details of some planned laser effects that didn't work, his reaction to KISS' appearance on the Tom Snyder show, and picking up a spaced-out guitarist from the stage due to his 'trouble walkin.'
Harper also shares recollections of his friendship and working relationship with British metal legends Judas Priest. Having met Priest during their stint opening for KISS on the Dynasty tour, Harper would spend days off with his new friends from across the pond and would go on to work for the band during their Screaming for Vengeance and Defenders of the Faith eras.
Tom Harper recently released his new EP entitled Vintage UK under his TF Harper moniker. The 4 song set includes British Invasion covers that inspired Harper in his younger years and is available for purchase through iTunes and CDBaby. Clips of the songs are featured throughout this podcast episode. Full links for download/purchase of Vintage UK are available on the show notes for this episode located at http://www.decibelgeek.com.
The Decibel Geek podcast is a weekly hard rock/metal music & discussion show. Launched in April of 2011, the Decibel Geek podcast has interviewed numerous rock/metal legends as well as producing numerous theme shows that focus on music that mainstream radio has overlooked as well as Year in Review episodes that analyze & discuss the news, events, music, & pop culture of specific years. All episodes are available via iTunes, Stitcher Radio, and the official website at http://www.decibelgeek.com
