Tommy Kessler
Acting
Biography
Tommy Kessler is an American guitarist from Springboro, Ohio, currently in the new wave band Blondie. Kessler joined Blondie in April 2010, replacing guitarist Paul Carbonara who had left Blondie during the sessions for their ninth studio album, Panic of Girls, to pursue other projects. Despite playing on only two songs Kessler was credited as a full-time member in the liner notes. He was trained in classical and Latin guitar. These styles provided a great understanding of music theory and also taught him to read standard notation. Later, Tommy drifted into the direction of the hard rock masters such as Randy Rhoads, Slash, Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen and Dimebag Darrell. His natural talent of learning pieces very quickly by sight reading or memorizing by ear helped him quickly excel in that scene. Kessler's first steady gig in New York City was playing in the word-renowned Blue Man Group where he played zither, guitar, bass and Chapman stick. He has also been part of the band in the New York City version of Blue Man Group since 2006. Kessler also performs as a guitarist in the fictional 1980s rock band Arsenal in the Broadway musical, Rock of Ages, a member since it opened off Broadway in 2008. His abilities have resulted in a reputation for excellence that has led to him becoming a highly sought after session guitarist in New York City since moving there in 2005. Being in Rock of Ages led to him meeting Blondie. He was recommended by the band's keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen. In 2015, Kessler was asked to be a part of the Fresh Kids of Bel-Air. He performs regularly at (Le) Poisson Rouge. Kessler served as musical director for the 2011 Glamour Women of the Year Awards. He has written and produced music for The Nickelodeon Network (iCarly and Victorious). Kessler mixed Joel Hoekstra's Joel Hoekstra's 13: Dying to Live. Since 2013 he has often worn on stage with Blondie a denim jacket made for him by British artist Ian Berry who is known for his art in denim. Source: Article "Tommy Kessler" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Known For
Midi Première is a French variety show presented by Danièle Gilbert, directed by Jacques Pierre and broadcast from January 6, 1975 until January 1, 1982 on TF1. The program was generally broadcast between 12:15 p.m. and 12:55 p.m., then giving way to the 1:00 p.m. TV news. However, the broadcast schedule could change, depending on the guests, and the setting where the recording of the program was shot. Certain performances by artists who have become cult like the one where Ringo jostles with a demonstrator in interpretation (1977), that of Dalida with the title There is always a song with the soundtrack that does not start, twice, at the right speed (1978), Claude François and his Clodettes, who, in the provinces, are unable to join "the set" in order to interpret his song, the latter being taken by the crowd of delirious fans (summer 1977) . The group Supertramp performed there with the title "Dreamer" on March 8, 1975.
Midi Première
Setlist: 1. One Way or Another 2. Rave 3. Hanging on the Telephone (The Nerves cover) 4. Mile High 5. Call Me 6. Take Me in the Night 7. Maria 8. Euphoria 9. A Rose by Any Name 10. Rapture (with (You Gotta) Fight for… more ) 11. The Tide Is High (The Paragons cover) 12. Groove Is In the Heart 13. Atomic 14. Sugar on the Side 15. Heart of Glass Encore: 16. Union City Blue 17. War Child (Black Sabbath's War Pigs intro) 18. Dreaming
Blondie - iTunes Festival
Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Blondie is still putting out new music and rocking out for fans everywhere! Debbie Harry and her band bring their eclectic mix of pop, rock and punk sounds to Soundstage, performing hits such as 'The Tide is High,' 'One Way or Another,' and 'Heart of Glass' in an electrifying concert audiences are sure to love!