Thor Retrospective and Interview with the Mighty Rock Warrior:

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.

Thor, Rock Warrior

     Jon Mikl Thor is a rock star who needs little introduction, from his earliest days as a bodybuilding champion, to his music and acting, to his recent documentary release and tour; He is Canada’s greatest export and shows no signs of letting up. Thor does not have to continuously reinvent his image or make a political statement to remain relevant and sell albums. The God of Thunder is no run of the mill rocker. He has remained a potent force in metallic stunt rock for well over four decades. He has continued to unleash a steady stream of shock rock for those with an appreciation for the genre. As a business man and artist he has created his own logo, and formed his own record label. This legendary stunt rocker has survived by sticking with what he does best which is being a focused, passionate entertainer and business man.
     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. 

Thor battles a Heavy Metal Robot

     Upon discovering the magnitude of Thor’s talent, I became an instant fan. When I initially set my eyes on the Mighty Thor, he was featured on a VHS titled Breakin’ Metal. The concert film featured Thor performing at London’s legendary Marquee Club in 1986. Thor bends steel with his teeth, while the band plays the dark and brooding, Death March. During my crusade for rock horror movies after viewing Trick or Treat, I found the rock horror gem, Rock and Roll Nightmare at a video rental store. Initially I didn’t realize Thor in the horror film was the same rock warrior that I had witnessed doing unbelievable stunts in Breakin Metal. My favorite scene in Rock and Roll Nightmare is of course, the shower scene, which I rewinded numerous times. Soon preceding numerous shower scene viewing, I had a revelation; the singer in the film resembled the singer in Breakin Metal.  Afterwards, I went on a quest to collect anything Thor related. Once for my birthday I had a dear friend who was thoughtful enough to slip away with a picture disc record of Thor and then girlfriend, Cherry Bomb without me noticing my album was missing. That friend had a cake decorator transfer the image from the picture disc to my birthday cake.     
    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).

Thor as Thunderhead in the film, Recruits

Thor continues to look Hot and Dangerous on his Motorbike

 

Thor Discography:

• 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

 

Thor Promotional Photo

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?
 

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 3^rd 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.

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.

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.

Hot Creeping Flesh, Thor Promotional Photo

Photo by D. Stevens

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. 

Thor, packing Thunder in the Front and Ready for Lightning to Strike in the Back

 

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

Coming Soon: Cult Movie Review: Rock and Roll Nightmare    

Lucy