
Everyone in the mid 1980's knew who Dee Snider and Twisted Sister was! For metal fans he was our spokesman until the backlash from overexposure hit...and hit hard! But there is and was so much more to Snider than just 'We're Not Gonna Take It'!
'Shut Up And Give Me The Mic' (20012 Gallery Books) is the life and story of Dee Snider, about Dee Snider, and most important by Dee Snider! For over 400 pages you will see how Dee was driven to success and an admitted megalomaniac but at the heart of Snider story is his loyalty of friends and love of family. You will not read about drunken or drug fueled tirades or the non stop one night stands with all sorts of women, because that wasn't part of his life. What you will read about is how he rose from the New York club scene, reached the pinnacle of fame, alienated himself from his Twisted Sister band mates and then ssettled into his post rock star career. He's been a reality TV show host, a disc jockey, a father and husband and still remains a rocker.
One of the biggest misconceptions about Snider is that he is a brainless big mouth and after you read the book you see he's only a big mouth, but that's what we love about him. He is smart, calculated and has the respect of some of metal's biggest names including AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne and Motorhead's Lemmy. Sadly, for many music fans, his incredible vocals and amazing songwriting were never taken as serious as they should've been because of the image; makeup, big hair and on stage swearing.
The book is an incredibly easy and fun read with the writing so crisp and honest, you can hear Dee's voice as you read. I was a huge Twisted Sister fan starting back in 1981 (The Kids Are Back) and after finishing the book it rekindled my love of Dee and Twisted Sister.In fact as I write this review I'm listening to Dee's incredibly underrated solo disc from 2000 'Never Let The #$%^&* Wear You Down.'
If you love good music, characters that are larger than life and reading inspirational stories about fighting the odds again and again..and winning, this is a book for you. Thank you for everything Dee... the kids are back!
Matman Rating: 5 out of 5 filed down teeth