Twisted Sister might have started in the tiny New Jersey town of Ho-Ho-Kus (yep, that’s a real place), but this band had much bigger ambitions. Over time, they became one of the most iconic heavy metal/glam metal acts of the 1980s, known for their over-the-top makeup, theatrical performances, and, let’s not forget, a couple of tunes that still get us all excited—*”We’re Not Gonna Take It”* and “I Wanna Rock.” Let’s dive into how a group of misfits dominated the rock scene, shall we?
Formation and Early Days (1972–1983)
Twisted Sister was originally formed in 1972, but it wasn’t until the late ’70s that the group began to find its groove. A revolving door of early members came and went (we’re talkin’ Spinal Tap levels of turnover), but by 1976, the band had found its voice—literally—when Dee Snider joined the lineup as their fiery lead vocalist. This solidified the classic lineup that fans would come to love:
Classic Lineup:
- Dee Snider (Lead vocals) – born March 15, 1955
- Jay Jay French (Guitars) – born July 20, 1952
- Eddie “Fingers” Ojeda (Guitars) – born August 5, 1955
- Mark “The Animal” Mendoza (Bass) – born July 13, 1955
- A.J. Pero (Drums) – born October 14, 1959, passed March 20, 2015
While bands like Kiss and Aerosmith took off, Twisted Sister was grinding it out in small New York-area clubs, building a reputation for their wild live shows and rowdy crowd interactions. They went through years of rejection by record labels (and, seriously, a lot of rejection), but they didn’t give up. Finally, in 1982, they released their debut album, Under the Blade—and Twisted Sister was officially on the map.
Sound Evolution: Glam to Heavy Metal and Everything in Between
Twisted Sister’s sound is a unique mix of influences—imagine the glam of the New York Dolls blended with the aggression of early Black Sabbath. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, honestly, but here’s how their sound evolved:
- Early ’70s (Glam Phase): Originally, the band leaned more toward glam rock, with lots of sparkly outfits and heavy New York Dolls influences.
- The mid-’70s: Enter Dee Snider in 1976, and the sound started to shift. With Snider’s songwriting taking the wheel, Twisted Sister moved toward a heavier, more aggressive rock sound.
- 1980s (Breakthrough): By the time the ’80s hit, Twisted Sister was embracing full-on heavy metal and glam metal—a combo of loud, brash rock with anthemic choruses designed to fill arenas.
Twisted Sister T-Shirt
If you’re a die-hard Twisted Sister fan, you need the “We Are Twisted F*ing Sister!” T-shirt in your wardrobe. Featuring Dee Snider’s iconic scream, bold red face paint, and fierce makeup, this shirt captures the rebellious energy of the band’s heyday. Inspired by the documentary, it’s officially licensed merch made from soft, high-quality cotton—equal parts comfortable and eye-catching. More than a fashion piece, it’s a tribute to Twisted Sister’s heavy metal legacy.
The Big Break: Stay Hungry (1984)
Let’s talk about the album that made them superstars: Stay Hungry (1984). This was the band’s third album and featured their two most iconic songs—*”We’re Not Gonna Take It”* and “I Wanna Rock.” This huge album sold over 3 million copies and launched Twisted Sister into the mainstream.
Popular Songs by Twisted Sister
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” (1984)
“I Wanna Rock” (1984)
“The Price” (1984)
“You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll” (1983)
“Burn in Hell” (1984)
Fun Fact:
Did you know? “We’re Not Gonna Take It” had such a lasting impact that even decades later, it was ranked as one of the best rock anthems ever.
Twisted Sister and MTV: A Perfect Match Made in Hair-Metal Heaven
Twisted Sister exploded thanks in large part to MTV. The visual element of the band was just too good to ignore—who could resist Dee Snider’s insane, lion-like mane and the band’s cartoonishly rebellious music videos? The videos for “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock” constantly rotate, introducing millions to the band’s mix of humour, attitude, and raw energy.
Controversy and Challenges
PMRC Showdown
1985, the band found themselves at the centre of a censorship battle. The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), led by Tipper Gore, attacked Twisted Sister for their “influence on kids” (cue eye-roll). They slapped “We’re Not Gonna Take It” on their infamous “Filthy Fifteen” list. Ever the showman, Dee Snider testified in front of the U.S. Senate, hilariously ripping the PMRC apart and defending the band’s music as nothing more than good old-fashioned fun.
MTV Bans and Overexposure
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. While the PMRC drama only boosted their popularity, the band’s Be Chrool to Your Scuel video (featuring Alice Cooper!) was banned by MTV for being too offensive. And by the late ’80s, the market for glam metal was fading fast. Fans moved on, and the band was struggling with internal tensions. This led to their breakup in 1988 after the release of Love is for Suckers.
Post-Breakup, Reunion, and Continued Influence
Even after breaking up in ’88, Twisted Sister never really went away. The band reunited several times—first in 1997, then in 2001, and eventually returned for good (well, until 2016 anyway). They continued to tour, bringing the same raw energy to their live shows as they did in the ’80s.
In 2023, Twisted Sister surprised everyone by announcing another return because, let’s face it, these guys love to rock.
Discography
Here’s a quick look at their major albums:
- Under the Blade (1982)
- You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll (1983)
- Stay Hungry (1984)
- Come Out and Play (1985)
- Love is for Suckers (1987)
Twisted Sister’s Legacy
Twisted Sister’s legacy is more than just catchy songs and crazy makeup. They were fighters—grinding for years before making it big and sticking it to the establishment (both musically and politically). Whether it’s the arena-shaking “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” or Dee Snider’s legendary Senate testimony, Twisted Sister left a huge mark on rock history.
- Ranked #73 in VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.”
- Influenced generations of metal bands with their stage antics and music.
- Left behind one heck of a soundtrack for anyone who refuses to take it anymore.
And you know what? Even decades later, we still want to rock.
Sources
https://deesnider.com/music/twisted-sister/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twisted_Sister
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/twisted-sister-songs/
https://teachrock.org/people/twisted-sister/
