By:
Lucy Hall
The
Standard, Commercial Definition of a Rock Star:
A type of performer who is famous for being widely
known for performing popular music based around amplified instruments. A highly
admired individual who continues to reinvent themselves to promote an image
that will attribute to record sells. Part of the rock star’s repertoire
includes inherent rebelliousness. The rock star will use means of mainstream
music to influence social, political and economical elements of society.
HEAVY
MAKEUP’S Definition of a Rock Star:
A chain and leather clad, sword wielding, steel
bending, and every inch the muscular, battle
scarred, brooding rock barbarian. While his sword in front of him thrust point
down into the mound of human debris below, a naked woman clings to one leg,
while behind him flames and vague threatening shadowy images haunt the sky. A
rock warrior who looks as if he could have stepped forth from a Frank Frazetta
painting or the classic pulps of high fantasy sword and sorcery from some
alternate reality. In the tradition of heroic fantasy and from the covers of
heavy metal albums, he is the Mighty Thor, Rock Warrior.
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Thor, Rock Warrior
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It is fascinating to observe the musical evolution of Jon Mikl Thor. His first band, The Ticks had the look and sound of other popular mod bands of the era such as The Who or The Beatles. He later went on to form the band, Body Rock which appeared to have a punk rock sound. This group consisted of two other male body builders and two female amazon dressed beauties. Ultimately, Thor found his calling when he formed his self titled power metal band, “Thor,” which had a much heavier sound. Throughout his body building career he achieved forty titles. By means of combining the strength and ability of body building with extraordinary feats, props, costumes, and music; Jon Mikl Thor created an ingenious and original rock act. His self-titled band concept begun in 1976 and although the band has gone through several incarnations, the stage performance, and quality of both stunts and the music has not changed.
Thor’s stage presence has been powerful, sexual, and very visually stimulating. He exuded intense sex appeal going shirtless to bare his muscular chest and wearing leather studded underwear. Later, metal music fans would see this again when musicians such as Manowar, and Motley’s Crue’s Tommy Lee would duplicate the look by also sporting studded leather underwear and going shirtless, although, these rockers lacked Thor’s bulging physique. Thor has a knack for not only looking good himself on stage but looking even better by being surrounded by beautiful women, which included his stage partner Cherry Bomb. His music video for “Glimmer” featured female band members. Today he continues that appealing tradition by having provocative backup dancers known as Thor’s Valkyries.
Thor’s elaborate and extreme live shows brought danger to rock and roll. His stage feats has included bending solid steel bars in his teeth, bending microphone stands, breathing into hot water bottles until they burst and having solid concrete blocks smashed off his chest with a sledgehammer. He has always engaged his fans in many ways and made them feel like part of the show; such as entering the audience to have members inspect the authenticity of steel prior to bending it with his teeth.
Thor has pioneered power metal hallmarks credited in part to his immense love of superheroes, mythology, fantasy, science fiction, and B Movies. His conceptual albums and storytelling lyrics stirs up science fiction and fantasy imaginary. In the 80’s catching Thor battling massive robots and monsters in concert was a treat. Today both old and new fans are being either introduced to or revisiting his epic battles with the same enthusiasm, as he continues to incorporate these theatrics into his performance.
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| Thor battles a Heavy Metal Robot |
The savage Thor has battled against wizardry, wild women, powers of primeval dark sorcery, minions of evil gods, zombie curses, and multiple demons in both horror films, Rock and Roll Nightmare and Zombie Nightmare. Thor costarred alongside Adam West and Tia Carrere in Zombie Nightmare. This film featured a killer heavy metal soundtrack that included not only Thor, but also heavy hitters Motorhead and Girlschool. Thor drove his Tritonz band mates to a secluded farm house of horrors in Rock and Roll Nightmare. Not only did Thor star in the film but he also wrote and produced it.
In the comedy film Recruits; Thor plays the role of Thunderhead, a biker who is a civilian recruit for the police force. In the film Thor looks striking and tough riding on a motorcycle. He continues to look every bit as tough, dangerous and striking on the back of his bike today. Recruits was the third movie I purchased for my Thor collection. Thor has since starred in other films and has had several documentaries/concert footage films. Which includes 2005’s Thor An-Thor-Logy, Thor the Rock Opera, and most recently I Am Thor. He has not only starred in films but has also contributed songs to movie soundtracks which include, Murder at the Presidio (2005), Sharp as Marbles (2008), Fubar (2002), Graveyard and both Zombie and Rock and Roll Nightmare (1987).
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| Thor as Thunderhead in the film, Recruits |
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Thor continues to look Hot and Dangerous on his Motorbike
Thor
Discography:
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- Thor-Body Rock
(1973)
- Keep the Dogs Away (1977, 30th anniversary re-release 2009)
- Gladiator
(1979)
- Striking Viking
(1980)
- Unchained (1983)
- Only the Strong (1985)
- Live in Detroit
(1985, re-release 2009)
- Recruits – Wild in the Streets (1986)
- The Edge of Hell
(1986) (credited as Tritonz)
- Thunderstruck: Tales from the Equinox (1998)
- Dogz II
(2000)
- Triumphant
(2002)
- Mutant
(2003)
- Beastwomen from the Center of the Earth (2004)
- Thor Against the World (2005)
- Devastation of Musculation (2006)
- Into the Noise
(2008)
- Steam Clock
(2009)
- Sign of the V
(2009)
- The Guardian
(2010)
- Soundtrack from the movie THOR - The Rock Opera (2011)
- Thor's Teeth
(2012, Special edition vinyl)
- Thor – Thunderstryke
(2012)
- Thor – Thunderstryke II (2013)
- Metal Avenger
(2015, compilation)
- Aristocrat of Victory
(2013)
- Only the Strong Deluxe Edition (2014)
- Metal Avenger
(2015)
- Unchained Deluxe Edition (2015)
- “I am Thor” Soundtrack (2016)
- Keep the Dogs Away Deluxe Edition (2016)
- Live in Detroit Deluxe Edition (2016)
- Beyond the Pain Barrier (2017)
Filmography:
- Recruits (1986, as Thunderhead)
- Breakin' Metal (1986)
- Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare (1987, as
John Triton)
- Zombie Nightmare (1987, as Tony
Washington)
- Graveyard (2003,
short film, as Ray)
- Murder at the Presidio (2005, as
Thor)
- Intercessor:
Another Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare (2005, as The Intercessor)
- A Family Lost (2007, as
Gary)
- Thor – The
Rock Opera
(2011)
- I Am Thor (2015, as
himself)
- THOR AN-THOR-LOGY (DVD, 2005, himself)
Thor's Band Members:
Current:
Jon Mikl Thor
John Leibel
Ted Jedlicki
Will Maravelas
Frank Soda
Frank Meyer
Bruce Duff
Past
Members:
Steve Price
Mike Favata
Pantera (Rusty Hamilton)
Keith Zazzi
Ani Kyd
Ani Kyd
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Thor Promotional
Photo
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I was recently blessed to have the opportunity to interview the Mighty Rock Warrior, Thor:
HEAVY MAKEUP: When did you initially get into music and why?
HEAVY MAKEUP: When did you initially get into music and why?
Thor:
I started playing accordion at 7 years old. When I was 11 years old I saw The
Beatles on Ed Sullivan and that made me want to play the guitar.
HEAVY MAKEUP: You learned to play the guitar and then bass, what made you
decide to put down the guitar and turn to only singing?
Thor:
I
was impressed with David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Jim Morrison and Robert Plant.
HEAVY MAKEUP: Do you remember
your first professional gig? What was that like?
Thor: Awkward. There was no one doing the type of show that our band put on which was called “Muscle Rock”. So we would get mixed reviews. At first people in the audience would be scratching their heads back in 1973 but would come around after the 3rd song as the crowds would go wild for the performance.
HEAVY MAKEUP: Which bands or
individual musicians inspired you? What artists or bands do you currently
listen to?
Thor: The Doors, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin. I listen to anything that intrigues me.
HEAVY MAKEUP: Is there a facet of
the music business that you prefer? Recording, touring, or writing?
Thor:
Everything from behind the scenes to performing.
HEAVY MAKEUP: What is your
favorite song to perform live?
Thor: Thunderhawk
HEAVY MAKEUP: What advice would
you give a young musician or shock rock performer?
Thor: Never give up. Believe in your concept.
HEAVY MAKEUP: You have a long list of credentials which includes being a
bodybuilding champion, actor, songwriter, screenwriter, vocalist and musician.
In addition, you handle the business and management side of your career. That’s
a lot to accomplish in one man’s lifetime. However, for a Superhero Rock God
like you, it appears effortless. In your opinion what has been your grandest
achievement?
Thor: After starting the Thor concept in 1973 to still perform live on stage in 2017 almost 45 years later and still drive the crowd into frenzy. We just performed some shows in Europe. The concert at the Porispere Festival in Pori, Finland in front of 12,000 fans was just insane. I’m still standing and Rockin.
HEAVY MAKEUP: Your band has played many sold out shows. You have played
alongside some impressive musicians. You once performed to an audience that
included the legendary, Jimmy Page. Who in the
business have you seen come and go that stand out and has left an impression on
you?
Thor: Joey Ramone
HEAVY MAKEUP: With all that immortal strength defying feats,
props, metal/stud/spiked costumes, and steel bending with your teeth, and
brick/concrete smashing off your chest with a sledgehammer. You must have
endeared some major Spinal Tap type moments, or at least injuries. Have you
ever lost any teeth? Any mentionable mishaps?
Thor: Yes I have cracked my back molars while bending steel in between my teeth. I have been knocked unconscious while blowing up and exploding lifetime guaranteed hot water bottles with my lung power. I’ve had broken ribs from have concrete blocks smashed off my chest with a sledgehammer and jack hammer.
HEAVY MAKEUP: Your fans span many generations and you have a
loyal cult following, how do you feel about that?
Thor: It is a tremendous honor and hard to believe that there are such great Thor fans of all ages.
HEAVY MAKEUP: Being a masculine sex symbol obviously had
many perks for you. There is a press photo that comes to
mind which depicts you posing while a woman’s hands creep up your hairy
muscular chest. I imagine this depiction was not merely made up for promotional
reasons. I would imagine this is exactly the reaction you had from the ladies
during every tour. I mean, heck, I know if it would have been a possibility, I
would have totally been trying to brush your long locks, feel your hairy chest,
feed you grapes, and wash and perfume you from head to toe. Wow, you get the
feeling this is something I have clearly thought long and hard about. Considering
you had lots of groupies, what is the most outrageous thing a female fan has
done to get your attention?
Thor: There have been many outrageous moments. Some I still can’t believe. Some I felt were only reserved for gods and demi-gods the likes of Hercules when he met the Amazons. But I will have to leave that to your imagination.
Thor: There have been many outrageous moments. Some I still can’t believe. Some I felt were only reserved for gods and demi-gods the likes of Hercules when he met the Amazons. But I will have to leave that to your imagination.
HEAVY MAKEUP: I am a heavy metal horror film fanatic so of
course your films, Rock and Roll
Nightmare and Zombie Nightmare
are in my collection. You wrote and produced Rock and Roll Nightmare. Can you tell me about what inspired the
story for the film? Any highlights that stand out concerning either film? What
made you decide to use the name, The Tritonz for the rock band in the film
instead of Thor? Looking back on the films, how do you feel about them?
Thor: I think they were fun films to make. I wish we had more of a budget. I wanted an alias for Thor. Sort of like how The Beatles became Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. So I came up with the Tritonz. But my inspiration was combing a Superhero, Sci-Fi and horror movie together.
HEAVY MAKEUP: You would have made a
perfect Thor title character for a Marvel Comics Film, and a much better Thor
in the television movie, The Incredible
Hulk Returns instead of actor, Eric Allan Kramer. Why did studios not offer
you these roles? Are they blind and dumb?
Thor: In 1977 Stan Lee and Marvel Productions did offer me the role of Thor in Thor-The Movie. The movie just never got made as the special effects weren’t up to par for what was needed to make this film at that time.
HEAVY MAKEUP: Not only have you produced, written and
starred in your own films, but you have also done movie soundtracks. Is there any stories behind those or
highlights you could share?
Thor: The most successful song of mine was “Glimmer”. The title song for “Murder at The Presideo”. Yet not too many Thor fans are familiar with that tune.
Thor: The most successful song of mine was “Glimmer”. The title song for “Murder at The Presideo”. Yet not too many Thor fans are familiar with that tune.
HEAVY MAKEUP: You have had an extensive background in music and film. What else do you do outside of music? Is there anything that would surprise fans? Do you have any upcoming projects?
Thor: I have a wide range of interests from sports, painting, reading, and hiking. I just enjoy life.
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Hot Creeping Flesh, Thor Promotional Photo
Photo by D. Stevens
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The films Zombie
Nightmare and Rock and Roll Nightmare
may have went on to be spoofed in such commentary programs such as Mystery
Science Theater; however, the Mighty Thor has had forty years of music, movies
and mayhem that people are still talking about today and he continues to have
cult following. Thor continues to produce, record, tour, release albums, and
films. He has a hard core fan base and continues to be and always will be a
cult icon. It is evident that he has exerted a profound influence on power
metal, stunt, and shock rock bands of both yesterday and today. All Thor has ever
wanted for himself and his audience has been to entertain and put on a good
show. I think he has definitely achieved these goals.
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| Thor, packing Thunder in the Front and Ready for Lightning to Strike in the Back |
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Thor, Unchained
Thor, the Striking Viking holds his Mighty Hammer High
 
Thor Concert Action Shot
Thor is still Packing the Big Guns
I Am Thor Film Poster
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Lucy
