Music has always been at the core of the decades-long friendship between rock guitarist Tommy Thayer and singer Jaime St. James. Even before they were formally introduced by a mutual friend, Thayer says he recognized St. James from concerts they both attended and also noticed him at the annual Rose Festival parade in Portland.

“The Cleveland High School marching band which Jaime was in was marching and the Sunset High band I was in was marching,” he explained. “I remember seeing him because we had a similar kind of look … big hair like Jaime has … and I think we took a glimpse at each other and maybe a nod.”

“We did,” St. James concurred, “And we both had the tall fuzzy parade hats.”

They graduated from their respective high schools in 1978 and started playing and writing music together, and eventually formed a band and started booking shows around the Portland metro area.

“We got a lot of club dates because we’d play cover tunes. But when Black `n Blue formed, we played the Portland club scene,” St. James explained.

The band Black `n Blue, which included guitarist Jeff Warner, drummer Pete Holmes and bassist Patick Young, also started building up an arsenal of original songs.

“We played ‘Hold on to 18’ in the clubs in Portland at some point,” St. James recalled.

“Hold on to 18” would become one of the best-known songs from Black `n Blue. In the early 1980’s, the band made several trips from Portland to play shows in Los Angeles. Like many bands of the era, moving to Hollywood full-time was a necessity to get noticed. They relocated in early 1983 and became part of the fast-growing music scene on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip.

“We got down there and within six months by summer of `83 we had record labels looking at us and Geffen signed us,” said Thayer.

Their self-titled debut album was released in August 1984, complete with radio singles and music videos. Big arena tours opening for bands like Aerosmith and Kiss soon followed. Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons liked the band so much that he produced two of their later albums. But by the late 1980’s, some cracks started to show. Album sales slowed down, the tours they were on were smaller, and there was a sense that the music landscape was changing.

“It just seems like bands like us kind of had our time,” Thayer explained. “That landscape was changing. Different things were happening. And it just seemed like at the time Black `n Blue kind of lost its mojo. I just wanted to try something else.”

Thayer announced he was leaving the band. Unlike other rock and roll break-ups, where band members often go years without speaking to one another, St. James says he was never angry with his friend and bandmate.

“I was kind of bummed about it, but there was no animosity or anything like that,” he said.

They each went on to new bands and projects. St. James fronted a few new bands before reforming Black `n Blue with a different lineup. The band continues to record and play shows and festivals. Thayer made new music, produced albums for other artists, and in the 1990’s started working with Kiss in various roles. In 2002, he joined Kiss as their lead guitarist and remains with them today.

The original members of Black `n Blue were inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and reunited for a one-off concert in Portland to mark the occasion. Thayer and St. James have always stayed in touch and see each other requently but until last year (2025) they hadn’t recorded new music together in over 30 years. For fun, they decided to get together and see what might come of it.

“I didn’t even know what it was going to be,” St. James said. “But I said, ‘I just want to work with him’. And whatever it is, it’ll be fun and it’ll be good.”

Their first thought was to revisit some unfinished tracks from decades ago, dating back to the Black `n Blue days. But St. James also brought some new ideas. Their songwriting chemistry quickly reignited.

“Within 10, 15, 20 minutes, we had structure of one song and then we did another one and then we were like ‘Wow, that’s amazing,” described Thayer.

“At the end of that evening, I knew,” Thayer continued. “[I said] to hell with the old stuff and the past. We’re going to a brand-new recording.”

With new songs in hand, they returned to where their music and friendship started, recording in Portland with producer Rob Daiker. Thayer described the recording process as joyful and light, both musically and personally.

“It was just so fun to be with Jaime and just hanging out. Reminiscing, telling old stories, laughing,” he said. “Not only was the recording great. We just enjoyed the time.”

The result of that time is a 6-song set titled Bombshell, released under the name Thayer-St. James. They have it for sale on their website, but beyond that, there are no other plans for reunion tours or shows. They describe the new music as something for long-time fans to enjoy and, for themselves, a celebration of their friendship.

“There’s nothing like having a friend for almost 50 years. That’s crazy, and there’s nothing like that,” St. James said. “It’s something I cherish now.”

Thayer expressed similar gratitude for their years-long connection.

“We’ve always treated each other with a lot of respect and admiration,” Thayer said. “And we love each other. It’s one of the most unique things in my life.”

Now in their mid 60’s, they say their best advice for aspiring musicians is to work hard and not get deterred if things go sideways.

“Jamie and I are two people that never let that kind of stuff phase us,” Thayer said. “If you love music and you want to do music, you just have to keep going and keep doing it.”

When asked if their Black `n Blue anthem “Hold on to 18” is still good advice, St. James answered heartily.

“Absolutely. Stay young! Young at heart. Young in the mind. Take care of yourself. Hell yeah. It’s always good advice.”

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/28/black-n-blue-rock-band-portland-oregon-tommy-thayer-jaime-st-james/