Rod Wagner - Founder of Tongue/Bass Player/Vocalist
Rod has had a love of music since he was a little boy. Rod wanted to follow in his father Joe Wagner's footsteps. Joe played drums, piano, and accordian for his band; The Joe Wagner Orchestra, The Michigan Stompers, and he was also a Union musician. Rod unfortunately has only pictures and video to remember his Dad's music by due to his Father's early death when Rod was just a child. Rod only needed to know of his Dad's accomplishments to follow in his footsteps.
Rod picked up guitar at age 16 and self taught himself what he knows today. Rod had a love for the band KISS from the first time he heard them. Rod says, "No one reaches out to the crowd like KISS; they just have a way of touching you and pulling you into the show." Besides his father; Alice Cooper, KISS, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss have all been one of his biggest influences in music.
Rod has been the founder of many numerous bands all being named after KISS. Rock Bottom was his first band, following were; Fractured Mirror, Wicked Lester, Strange Ways, and his current band TONGUE.
With Rod's powerful vocals and entertaining stage presence, he was awarded 'Best Male Rock Vocalist of the Year' by The Review Magazine in 2005. Rod was interviewed and showcased in The Review Magazine and The Reese Reporter. Rod is also honored with an autographed Tongue shirt and newspaper article displayed in his hometown's restaurant, Trackside Food & Spirits.
Rod has always had a dream of performing in a KISS Tribute band. While he has performed in full dress and make-up as Gene Simmons many times; it was never a full stage show. On April 5, 2008 Rod brought TONGUE alive at their first KISS Tribute Show at Castaway's in Bay City. The show was sponsored by Wheelz 104.5 and was a huge hit! With 430 people in attendance and more bracing the cold weather wrapped around the building; the show was told to be the best KISS Tribute Show seen in Mid-Michigan. Rod was showcased in a live inteview on Wheelz 104.5 with Stan Parman and also in a live Podcast with Sue White from the Saginaw News. This was just the beginning for many successful KISS Tribute shows performed by TONGUE
.Rod leaves the audience begging for more at every performance. He brings energy, talent, and an exciting stage performance to every show.