Welcome to Rock Music Star.com!!!

Welcome to RockMusicStar.com!!!  It’s great to have you here.

We are based out of Buffalo, NY, and have been on the net since 2002.  We started out as GlamMetal.com, and then we decided to expand our coverage, and cover all different types of music.  It was at this point, in mid 2009, that site name was changed to RockMusicStar.com.

Since then we have covered a ton of great shows, and interviewed some of the most popular and influential music artists in the world.

This site is owned and operated by Thomas S. Orwat Jr. , and also features Buffalo, NY music legend and KISS expert John Jeffrey.  In addition, Dana Kaiser helps with transcribing and editing.

Thomas S. Orwat, Jr. 

My passion for music started in 1977, when I saw an over-sized poster of KISS in the basement of my best friend’s house.  A few days later, the day after Elvis died, I purchased my very first record – KISS – “Love Gun.” I rushed home everyday after school and played that as loud as I could before my parents came home from work.

Shortly after,  I attended my very first concert:  Ted Nugent on June 23, 1978 at the Aud in Buffalo, NY.  As a 12 year old kid, I couldn’t believe my eyes or ears!!!  The concert was insane. I  was now officially addicted to Rock n’ Roll!!!

During the next few years, I went to some incredible concerts:  Triumph, AC/DC with Bon Scott, UFO, KISS, Black Sabbath (Dio era), April Wine,  Blue Oyster Cult, OZZY, and many more.

Also at this time, I became a huge fan of the local Buffalo, NY band – Talas, which featured future bass god and legend, Billy Sheehan. Thankfully, Talas played many all-ages shows in the area, and I went to as many as I could.

Soon after, I started reading any music magazines that I could get my hands on, including:  Cream, Rolling Stone, Hit Parader, and Circus. I was addicted to the informative articles, and awesome photos.

As the 70’s turned into the 80’s, I continued my love for music, listening now to bands like Judas Priest, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Krokus and many other hard rock artists of the time.  But I also developed a liking to some of the newer MTV New Wave/alternative bands as well.

In 1988, after graduating from the University of Buffalo, I was hired as a store manager for a music retail chain, a job which I ending up staying at for over 28 years. This was a great mix of my two loves: music and business management.

In 1989, I stumbled across another promising band from my hometown, The Goo Goo Dolls. Just like Talas, years before, I could not get enough of this band.  I consider myself extremely fortunate that I was able attend many Goo Goo Dolls shows in small clubs across Buffalo during this period, before they become mega-stars.

 

During the 90’s,  I started writing and photographing for a few local music fanzines. Soon after, I was asked to contribute to a monthly music newspaper for the retail chain that I worked for.

In 2002, I decided to started my own music webzine, and it was then that I launched GlamMetal.com.  This was a site that primarily focused on the many great hard-rock bands of the 80’s such as Motley Crue, Poison, Ratt, and you know the rest of them.

Then in 2009, I decided that I wanted to write about all types of music, so I changed the site name to RockMusicStar.com.  This way I could truly cover all different types of rock music.

So here we are, and what a great trip it’s been.  Over the years, I’ve interviewed and photographed hundreds of amazing music artists.  I still get just as excited about hearing new music today,  as I did as a 12 year old kid, listening to KISS for the very first time.  I really hope that you can find enjoyment out of my articles and photos.  Hopefully, God willing, I will be able to provide many more over the next few years.

Finally, I’m always looking for feedback on the site. I can be reached at thomas@rockmusicstar.com 

Thank you for your time and support,

Thomas.

Fun facts about Thomas S. Orwat, Jr.

First concert – Ted Nugent / Black Oak – June 23, 1978 – Buffalo Memorial Auditorium

First KISS concert – ‘Dynasty’ tour –  August 8, 1979.  with New England opening

Favorite concert memory – I’ve been to so many, but always think back to May 31, 1979 when I saw AC/DC with Bon Scott at Sheas Theater in Buffalo, NY. AC/DC was opening for UFO. I was totally blown away by the raw power and energy of AC/DC. If I could go back in time and relive a concert, it certainly would be that one. Interestingly,  UFO did not perform on this evening. They were stuck at the USA/Canada border. They did a make up show on June 12th with Talas (Billy Sheehan) as the opener.

First interview – Johnny Angel of Talas 11/05/1988 for Nightlife Magazine Buffalo, NY.