In 1985, about a dozen wives of Congressmen and Senators got together and formed the PMRC, the Parents Music Resource Center. Lead by then Sen. Al Gore's wife Tipper, the women wanted to impose a rating system on music. Some saw it as a way to educate parents on the content in the music their children listened to. Some saw it as censorship. As a result, a Senate Judicial hearing was called. In defense of the music, 3 artists agreed to testify: John Denver, Frank Zappa and Dee Snider of hair band Twisted Sister. This is Snider's story.
After a small introduction, Dee himself presents his life story from first becoming interested in music because of the Beatles to becoming the androgynous lead singer of TS. His father was far from his biggest supporter. In fact, he'd laugh in the aspiring musical artist's face, with the elder Snider just not understanding kids and their music in those days.
Dee put the anger from that humiliation to paper and later penned one of the greatest anti-BS anthems of all-time, We're Not Gonna Take It. A brilliant music video that redefined the visual medium with its live-action cartoon retribution against the metal hating poppa, would take Twisted Sister to the top of the charts. And then came the PMRC.
Just about when Twisted Sister hit the top, the PMRC put We're Not Gonna Take It on their list of 15 songs that should be banned from the delicate ears of children. The PMRC interpreted Snider's cathartic rebellion against his distant father and haters of the band, as a call for nationwide violence and riots. Angered by the attacks, when invited to rebut the accusations of the PMRC, Snider jumped at the chance to speak before Congress.
Snider's opening statement and his answers back to the questioning body has since been considered a victory for free speech on the rocker's behalf. But in 1985, the aftermath branded Dee Snider and Twisted Sister as either Public Enemy No. 1 to the American family or a traitor by true heavy metal fans. Years later, thanks to Snider's testimony being available in full on social media, the singer and his band have been redeemed in the eyes of generations of fans as well as first amendment historians.
Dee Snider now hosts a weekly radio show called The House of Hair. He recently retired from Twisted Sister because of his health. He and his family live in my home state of North Carolina. My pastor isn't so much of a fan of Christmas carols. But he likes Twisted Sister. Because of this, I have made it my mission to one day persuade Mr. Snider to one day visit our church in Durham for the holidays and sing his version of O Come All Ye Faithful.
That being said, I want you to know that my review is going to be 100% honest. I'm not giving praise in order to pander for my holiday church dream coming true. Yes, I did buy this book just recently over the weekend. I've been wanting to read it since it came out in 2023 and if I ever get to hear a live version of Twisted Sister's version of the holiday classic, this book will be getting autographed!
It's a really good read. There's a a lot of Tarantino level use of f-bombs. But there's no sex, drugs or gore. Except for Al and Tipper, of course. Dee has a rather unfortunate encounter with a high school bully. And as a very angry young man, he got into brawls and arguments with more than his fair share of Twisted Sister haters. But as a historical graphic novel, this ranks up there as one of the best.
I was a bit hesitant to buy this graphic novel because I thought it was only going to be about the Senate hearings. While it does account for about a third of the book, it wasn't boring. And despite being written by Dee Snider, his account felt honest and true to what happened. Having his life story included was a smart move. But don't expect a full account. I had to go to Wikipedia to see if the woman he dates at the beginning of his career ends up being his wife of nearly 45 years. It is. I also wanted to know more about the relationship with his dad. Did they reconcile? You'll get an answer. But it's very brief.
The artwork was really good. It was a mix of realism with caricature thrown in. Steve Kurth seems to have been a student of the MAD Magazine School of Art as all of the famous players in this story look like whomever they're supposed to be representing but with facial features slightly exaggerated.
Definitely a keeper. Though I hope to have some graffiti added to the inside cover someday soon. I wonder if anyone has ever staged dived of the sanctuary platform at my church before...
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
