The roar of a crowd called to Dee Snider, a Long Island kid with a defiant streak. Born on March 15, 1955, in Astoria, New York, Snider discovered his voice in church choirs. Yet, it was Led Zeppelin and Alice Cooper that ignited his passion. Their raw energy spoke to his restless spirit. By his teens, he was singing in local bands, dreaming of stages bigger than bars. Consequently, his drive to pursue music stemmed from a need to rebel, to scream his truth through song.

The Fire of Defiance

Snider grew up in Baldwin, Long Island, surrounded by classic rock and rebellion. His parents loved music, but he craved something louder. As a teenager, he joined cover bands, belting out Black Sabbath. However, it was a 1974 Alice Cooper concert that changed him. The theatricality, the shock—it felt like home. Thus, he dove into music, not for fame, but to challenge norms and amplify the voiceless.

From Long Island to Limelight

Daniel “Dee” Snider was born to a Jewish father and Catholic mother, raised in a working-class family. His father was a state trooper, his mother an art teacher. As a kid, he sang in church, his powerful voice turning heads. By high school, he was fronting bands like Peacock and Heathen, playing Long Island clubs. After graduating in 1973, he worked odd jobs—janitor, delivery driver—while chasing gigs. In 1976, he joined Twisted Sister, a glam-rock band struggling to break through.

Snider transformed Twisted Sister, injecting punk energy and theatrical flair. They signed with Atlantic Records in 1982, releasing Under the Blade. Their 1984 album Stay Hungry catapulted them to fame. Now 70, Snider lives in California with his wife, Suzette, and their four children—Jesse, Shane, Cody, and Cheyenne. Despite his rockstar status, he remains a family man, balancing music with advocacy.

Twisted Sister and Beyond: Career Highlights

Snider’s career is synonymous with Twisted Sister, the band he led from 1976 to 1987, and again from 2003 to 2016. The classic lineup included Jay Jay French (guitar), Eddie Ojeda (guitar), Mark Mendoza (bass), and A.J. Pero (drums, replaced by Mike Portnoy after Pero’s 2015 death). Snider also fronted Desperado (1988–1990), Widowmaker (1992–1994), and his solo project, Dee Snider’s SMF (Sick Mother F***ers). Additionally, he formed Van Helsing’s Curse, a horror-themed rock ensemble, in 2004.

Collaborations have shaped Snider’s legacy. He’s worked with Alice Cooper, Lita Ford, and Ronnie James Dio, sharing stages and studios. His duet with Arnold Schwarzenegger on “Calling All Mutants” for The Last Action Hero (1993) raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, his friendship with Rob Halford of Judas Priest often made headlines, their mutual respect evident. Snider’s relationship with Celine Dion, sparked by a 1997 charity event, surprised fans, blending metal with pop.

Snider’s media presence is vast. He starred in Strangeland (1998), a horror film he wrote, and appeared in Jackass: The Movie (2002). Television credits include The Celebrity Apprentice, MTV’s Rock the Cradle, and Growing Up Twisted. He’s hosted House of Hair, a syndicated radio show, since 1997. Moreover, his Broadway performances in Rock of Ages (2010) showcased his versatility.

Awards are fewer but significant. Twisted Sister won a MTV Video Music Award nomination for “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (1985). Snider received a Metal Edge Readers’ Choice Award for Best Vocalist (1984). In 2016, he was honored with the SiriusXM Hair Nation Award for his contributions to hard rock. Furthermore, Twisted Sister’s induction into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame (2014) celebrated their regional impact.

Here are some of Snider’s biggest songs, with their writers:

• We’re Not Gonna Take It (Writer: Dee Snider)
• I Wanna Rock (Writer: Dee Snider)
• The Price (Writer: Dee Snider)
• Burn in Hell (Writer: Dee Snider)

Scandals and Headlines

Snider’s career hasn’t shied from controversy. In 1985, he became a lightning rod during the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) hearings. Tipper Gore targeted “We’re Not Gonna Take It” for its rebellious lyrics. Snider testified before Congress, defending artistic freedom. His articulate defense stunned critics, earning respect. However, the battle cemented his image as a provocateur.

In 1990, Desperado’s collapse sparked drama. Elektra Records shelved their album, leading to lawsuits. Snider called it “corporate betrayal.” Additionally, his 1998 film Strangeland divided audiences, some praising its boldness, others decrying its violence. Meanwhile, his 2012 feud with Paul Stanley of Kiss made waves. Stanley criticized Snider’s vocal style; Snider fired back, calling it jealousy. The spat fizzled, but fans ate it up.

A Night to Remember: Monsters of Rock 1988

In August 1988, Twisted Sister played the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington, England, a career-defining moment. The crowd, 100,000 strong, pulsed with energy. Snider, in pink spandex and warpaint, strode onstage as pyrotechnics exploded. As they launched into “I Wanna Rock,” fans surged forward, fists raised. Midway through, Snider climbed the scaffolding, screaming, “We’re not gonna take it!” The audience roared back, a sea of defiance. Sharing the bill with Iron Maiden and Metallica, Snider felt invincible. Later, he said, “That night, we weren’t just a band—we were a revolution.” The performance, though overshadowed by headliners, remains a fan favorite, captured in grainy VHS glory.

Legacy and the Road Ahead

Snider’s influence endures. His 2025 solo tour, promoting Leave a Scar (2021), features Lita Ford as a special guest. Meanwhile, he’s writing a memoir, promising unfiltered stories. His advocacy for free speech and veterans’ causes keeps him relevant. For Snider, music is rebellion. As he belts in “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” it’s a rallying cry for those who refuse to bow.