Like many, my first taste of Twisted Sister was through the airwaves and the iconic anthem, “I Wanna Rock.” Growing up, it was impossible to escape those powerful chords and Dee Snider’s unmistakable vocals on the radio. However, like many casual listeners, my appreciation for the band didn’t extend much beyond those ubiquitous hits, until a deep dive during my high school years ignited a full-blown rock and roll obsession.
It was around 1997, during the formative years of high school, that my cousin, a fellow music enthusiast sharing my art class, became the catalyst for my Twisted Sister journey. Our conversations were a constant soundtrack of rock and roll, dominated by two titans: KISS and Twisted Sister. He introduced me to the compilation album, “Big Hits and Nasty Cuts,” which became my gateway drug into the deeper cuts of Twisted Sister’s discography. Of course, “I Wanna Rock” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” were already ingrained in my musical DNA from years of radio exposure. But it was another track on that compilation that truly captivated me: “Burn In Hell.”
My first encounter with “Burn In Hell” wasn’t just through audio. I vividly remember Twisted Sister’s cameo in the cult classic movie, “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure,” where they unleashed a blistering performance of the song. Seeing the band’s theatrical stage presence and hearing the full force of “Burn In Hell” for the first time was a revelation. Thankfully, “Big Hits and Nasty Cuts” included this gem, and it instantly ascended to the top of my Twisted Sister favorites, a position it holds firmly to this day, easily ranking within my top 10 songs of all time. While I enjoyed the album tracks on “Big Hits,” the live recordings didn’t quite resonate with me. At that point, I was content with owning a “best of” collection, believing I had grasped the essence of Twisted Sister.
Fast forward to 2001, a chance encounter with a distant uncle unexpectedly deepened my Twisted Sister fandom. During a rare visit, he noticed my music collection and was genuinely surprised to see Twisted Sister represented. He regaled me with tales of their legendary live shows, describing the raw energy and sheer madness that defined their performances. His firsthand accounts of the band’s wild stage antics sparked a renewed curiosity and a desire to explore Twisted Sister beyond the radio hits.
Serendipitously, just weeks later, an advertisement in “Slipped Disc,” my go-to music store on Long Island, NY, announced a Twisted Sister signing. Slipped Disc in Valley Stream was a legendary haven for music lovers. Discovering it was like finding a musical promised land, worth every minute of the 50-minute drive. The store was a treasure trove, stocked with everything imaginable from every band across the musical spectrum. The signing event was to promote a Twisted Sister tribute album, a concept I found a little peculiar – the band signing a tribute to themselves? Regardless, the allure of meeting a real rock band for the first time was irresistible, and I planned to get my “Big Hits” CD signed.
Upon arriving at Slipped Disc, I learned that purchasing the tribute album was initially required for the signing. Slightly disappointed, as I wasn’t particularly interested in the tribute album itself, I worried I might miss the opportunity. Thankfully, as I got closer to the signing area, relief washed over me. The store clarified that purchasing any Twisted Sister album would grant access to the signing. Seizing the moment, and eager to delve deeper into their discography, I made a spontaneous decision. I bought all the Twisted Sister albums they had available, but ultimately chose to have the iconic “Stay Hungry” album signed by the band.
Meeting Twisted Sister was a surreal experience. Nerves got the better of me, and I managed little more than a “thank you” as I handed Dee Snider a demo tape of my band at the time – a demo that likely ended up in the trash before they even left the store, I chuckle to think now. However, more importantly, I walked away with a signed “Stay Hungry” and a complete Twisted Sister album collection. Finally, I had the keys to unlock the full scope of their musical output. What I discovered beyond “I Wanna Rock” and the hits was far richer and more diverse than I could have ever anticipated, solidifying my journey from casual listener to devoted Twisted Sister fan, all sparked by the initial rock and roll ignition of “I Wanna Rock.”
