Genre:
Autobiography, memoir, music
Buy Link:
Search for this book at Better World Books
or search for this book at Thrift Books
Disclosures:
I will earn a small commission from Amazon or points towards a free book from either Better World Books or Thrift Books for every book purchased through one of the above links.
Blurb
DEE’S NOT GONNA TAKE IT
As lead singer and songwriter of Twisted Sister, Dee Snider became the poster boy for heavy metal, hair bands, and the wild side of rock. Now, in his twisted new memoir, he reveals the real stories behind the crazy makeup, the big hair, and badass hits like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock.”
A classically trained countertenor who sang with his high school choir, Dee remembers the day he decided he was “not gonna take it” and stopped caring what people thought about him. Following in the footsteps of his idols Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath, Dee jumped from band to band before meeting Jay Jay French and Twisted Sister. But it wasn’t until he met his costume-designing soul-mate Suzette that they developed his unique style. Dee’s hard work finally paid off with an impressive resume that includes: a monster hit record; smash MTV videos; a long-running radio show, “The House of Hair”; appearances in film (Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Howard Stern’s Private Parts, StrangeLand) and television (Growing Up Twisted, Celebrity Apprentice); and a starring role in Broadway’s Rock of Ages. He even authored a teenage survival guide that was required reading in Russia!
In his journey from every parent’s worst teenage nightmare to Renaissance man, Dee avoided the usual pitfalls associated with rock stars. But that didn’t stop Tipper Gore and the Parents Music Resource Center from targeting him—a fight that led him to testify before Congress with Frank Zappa. He may have been slapped with a Parental Advisory warning label, but, through it all, Dee stayed positive and focused on being the best he could be.
Filled with entertaining anecdotes and candid confessions, Shut Up and Give Me the Mic takes you through the good times and bad with a heavy metal star who worked as hard as he played, and who did it all for his wife, four kids, and millions of “SMF” (Sick Mother F******) fans
This story is mine.
I’m the guy that gave it all to beat the odds, left everything he had on the stage each night, didn’t screw around on his woman, took care of his kids, and was sober enough to remember it all and write about it . . . myself.
The one thing that has surprised and confused me, though, is my unlikely transformation into a “beloved public figure.” How did the unpopular kid, who grew up to be the angry young man, who became the ’80s poster boy for the evils of rock ’n’ roll, arrested for profanity and assault, and boycotted by parents and religious groups, become the likeable mensch he is today?
Free use image from Pixabay
Ornery Owl's Mini Review
Dee is a smart and talented man who is an anomaly in many ways. He managed to steer clear of the rock and roll lifestyle pitfalls such as alcoholism, drug abuse, and womanizing. However, like many other musicians, he was a victim of the predatory music industry. Although he was down, he was never out. He had too much to live for.
Dee pulls no punches in his memoir, including with himself. He is honest about the tendency to fly into rages, particularly during shows, when he was younger. At heart, however, he has always been one of the good guys.
I was one of those disenfranchised suburban teens that Dee's music spoke to back in the conservative political climate of the 1980s. I'm glad Dee's still around and surprised that I still am. I think he's got more stories and songs in him yet. Thanks for being the one and only you, Dee.
The First Line/Book Beginnings
Sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll.
People never seem to get tired of hearing about it.
The Friday 56
The video, as delivered to MTV in its original form, had a two-minute-and-fifty-one-second prologue—an acted lead-in, without music. This was unheard of in 1984 . . . and MTV hated it!
Book Blogger Hop
21st - 27th - Which plot twist is your favorite? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
The Unreliable Narrator.
Speaking of plot twists, the forthcoming Beautiful Darkness 2 anthology is filled with twisted plots, including a harrowing little number called Justice for Zowie J from the warped mind of C. L. Hart. Check out the details here!
Promo
I am happy to promote the works of fellow authors on this blog, but I don't have tons of time to invest in doing the legwork, so to speak. I am much more likely to create promo posts for authors I know from the mfrw.io group, for authors who are able to provide me with a complete media kit and at least one image (i.e. a book cover or banner), or for authors working with a book tour company such as RABT or Silver Dagger.
If you have an upcoming book tour or a complete media kit, let me know in the comments. I also recommend joining the MFRW group. Yes, it says romance writers, but you don't need to write romance to join. I work with my fellow MFRW authors to promote the Lovecraftian fantasy and horror stories I write as C.L. Hart as well as the erotic romance I write as Lil DeVille.
Post Sponsor:
Use my link to get 5% off your first order. Independent business, many varieties to choose from, no need to sign up for a subscription. Just great coffee, no kidding!
No comments:
Post a Comment
I try to get comments published as quickly as possible. I don't always reply to comments on my blog, but I do try to visit as many people as possible when I participate in blog hops and I share links where possible to Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and such so others can discover your work. I do read and appreciate your comments.