Regardless of if you’re a fan of Black N’ Blue or not, The Lost Tapes represent a snapshot in time. Moreso, they represent the end of an era, and the beginning, or depending on how you look at it, the dissolution of another.
Guitarist Tommy Thayer and frontman Jaime St. James recently treated fans of classic 80s hard rock outfit Black ‘N Blue to a surprise, with the revelation that five unreleased tracks recorded in the late 80s were dusted off, and set to gain their official release as The Lost Tapes on June 3rd, 2022.
In the minds of many, the 1980s will forever be remembered as a decade characterized by innovation, overindulgence, and transcendent music. While some of the Sunset Strip faithful have since moved on from the days of big hair and excess, preserving the essence of their decade, the 80s hard rock genre has enjoyed a staying power unique to its era.
“The band is sounding better than ever, so we can, and will do whatever we want. The best is yet to come.”
From humble beginnings to near superstardom, Black ‘N Blue, as a band, has settled in as elder statesmen of Hard Rock, and Heavy Metal, and the band’s longtime bassist, Patrick Young, is an integral part of that equation.
A tremendous amount of attention is given to Tommy Thayer’s career as KISS’ lead guitarist, and rightfully so. This said, if we dig deeper and peel back the proverbial onion, we uncover an over forty-year career in music through which Tommy Thayer has made a truly massive impact on Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music.
The 80s was a glorious time for Rock music. A time looked back on with reverence and nostalgia. There are some who feel that the era of Hair Metal was the last great era of Classic Rock. A final, yet monstrous gasp from the beast that is Rock and Heavy Metal.
There is always going to be “that guy.” You know the type, the one who has to put the genre down, while he sips his imported IPA and reads obscure 19th-century poetry, while his earbuds pump the latest Cage the Elephant or My Bloody Valentine clone into his ears.
