“I remember it like it was yesterday,” LaFave said. “I always was a huge Elvis fan. They (LaFave’s parents) got a video of a concert that Elvis did in 1973 where it was the first time any entertainer was being filmed via satellite to be seen all around the world.”

“Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite” was the concert video LaFave watched as a child.

“When I saw his drummer and big, blue, sparkle drum set, I just was beyond mesmerized and I knew from that moment on, watching him play and seeing how big his kit was, not only was I on my mom and dad because I wanted a drum set just like that, of course, but I wanted to have drum lessons. They signed me up, and I never looked back.”

LaFave, 50, is a rock and metal drummer from Escanaba. While his passion is metal music, he has played in country, classic rock, pop, blues and gospel bands.

Jamie LaFave, a local musician, favors metal music but has also played other genres, such as country, classic rock, pop, metal, blues and gospel. (Courtesy photo)

“When I started junior high, I got into a lot of different bands and a lot of different kinds of metal music,” he said. “I just became like a melting pot of trying to watch and learn everything that I could. I learned a lot on my own and a lot from the teachers I had.”

He even has about 70 or 80 VHS tapes on instructional drum videos in storage to this day.

LaFave went on to play the drums in various bands throughout school, such as marching band, jazz band and concert band where he played snare drums.

“I just really took it seriously and I always realized, playing in front of an audience, the feeling that I had and how I feel every time playing in front of people that that’s what I always wanted to do and what my dream job was,” he said.

The first band LaFave ever joined outside of school was the Delta Drifters at 17 years old, and he often played at the Escanaba Amvets Post 123, 1315 N. Lincoln Road.

He has since played in several bands: Munkey Junk, Midnight Sun, Diamonds and Gold, We Ain’t Saints and others.

Most recently, LaFave toured with Illusions of Grandeur, a rock band originally from Pennsylvania but now out of Los Angeles, Calif. The band came across one of LaFave’s YouTube videos where he posted drumming tutorials and drum solos.

“They flew me to practice and gig with them,” LaFave said. “When I subbed for them and played drums for them, they were out of Pennsylvania.” They traveled to places such as Las Vegas, New Orleans, Chicago and more.

LaFave launched his website a few months ago, with a contact form, merchandise and audio samples. He now is working to enhance it. People also can contact him for drum lessons through the website, https://thunder-foot.com/. While he has previously taught at Jim’s Music, he now does it privately.

He is endorsed by Diemond Star Drumsticks and is soon to be endorsed by Yamaha, which provides steeply discounted rates on products in return for brand loyalty and promotion.

LaFave is finishing his work on an album with a musician from Connecticut who is a singer and guitarist. The two formed a band called “Radiculopathy” and plan on releasing a full-length album sometime in the spring.

“I’m going to play drums until I physically can’t anymore,” he said.

He credits his wife, Cindy, for her support while he pursues his dreams. “Cindy — she’s my everything,” LaFave said.