Dee Snider

Born in Astoria, Queens, New York City, on March 15, 1955,{{Cite web |title=Dee Snider Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More ... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000226299 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=AllMusic |language=en}} Snider was raised in nearby Freeport, New York and Baldwin, New York,{{cite tweet | user= deesnider| author= Snider, Dee | number = 646484113633865728 | title= Freeport and Baldwin Long Island. Born in Astoria Queens, NY | date= September 22, 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220301155402/https://twitter.com/deesnider/status/646484113633865728 | archive-date = 2022-03-01| access-date =}} both on Long Island. His father, Bob, is a retired New York State Trooper and Nassau County court clerk, and his mother, Marguerite, is a retired art teacher.{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/11/nyregion/long-island-journal-once-a-twisted-sister-now-a-homebody.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title = Long Island Journal: Once a Twisted Sister Now a Homebody |newspaper = The New York Times |date = January 11, 2004 |access-date = 2017-01-20|last1 = Fischler |first1 = Marcelle S. }} His father is Jewish, whereas his mother is from a Catholic family of Swiss descent.{{cite book | title = Dee Snider's Shut Up and Give Me the Mic| year = 2012 | first= Dee | last = Snider| publisher= | isbn= |pages= 17–18}} He is also of Ukrainian descent from his grandfather.{{cite tweet| user= deesnider | author = Snider, Dee| number = 1497629943915708419| title=I absolutely approve of Ukrainians using 'We're Not Gonna Take It' as their battlecry. My grandfather was Ukrainian, before it was swallowed up by the USSR after WW2. This can't happen to these people again! |access-date=May 16, 2022}} Snider and his siblings were raised as Episcopalians after his mother joined the church.

As a child, he sang in a church choir, several school choruses, and concert choir in high school. Snider was selected for the All-State Chorus for singing.{{cite web |url = http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-hometown_dee,0,3912071.story?coll=ny-lihistory-navigation |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040818111452/http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-hometown_dee,0,3912071.story?coll=ny-lihistory-navigation |url-status = dead |archive-date = August 18, 2004 |title = Dee Snider |date = August 18, 2004 |website = Newsday.com}}

He graduated from Baldwin Senior High School in 1973.{{cite web |url = http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-starring_li_pop,0,1403302.story?coll=ny-lihistory-navigation |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040606040417/http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-starring_li_pop,0,1403302.story?coll=ny-lihistory-navigation |url-status = dead |archive-date = June 6, 2004| title=Sounding Off in Suburbia |work= Newsday|date = June 6, 2004}}

In early 1976, Snider joined Twisted Sister and became the band's sole songwriter. The group released their first studio album, Under the Blade, in September 1982 and developed a following in the UK. Less than a year later, Twisted Sister released their second album, You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll. Their third album, Stay Hungry, hit shelves on May 10, 1984. This became the band's most successful record with the hits "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock". "We're Not Gonna Take It" reached No. 2 on the UK singles chart and No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and was ranked No. 47 on 100 Greatest 80's Songs. To emphasize the "twisted sister" image, Snider adopted a trademark persona of metal-inspired drag with long blond curly hair, an excessive amount of eye shadow and rouge, a beauty mark, and bright red lipstick.{{cite news | newspaper=Newsday | date=October 10, 1984 | page=9 | title=Too rough for Texas | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114097306/dee-snider-wears-makeup-to-perform/}}{{cite news | newspaper=The Indianapolis News | date=August 30, 1984 | page=32 | last=Dunkin | first=Zach | title=Twisted Sister Brings Back Era of 'Glitter Rock' | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114098485/twister-sister-glitter-rock-indianapolis/}}

During the mid-1980s, before the premiere of Headbangers Ball, the first MTV program to consist entirely of heavy metal videos was Heavy Metal Mania. The first episode aired in June 1985 and was hosted by Snider. It featured metal news, interviews with metal artists, and in-studio co-hosts. That same year, in November, Twisted Sister released Come Out and Play, which sold more than 500,000 copies in the USA.{{Cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA}}

In 1984, Snider was arrested for obscenity after a show in Amarillo, Texas. A parent who brought their kid to the show pressed charges after Snider cursed out a member of the audience for causing trouble. A fine was paid and the charges were later dropped.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/79334/12-outrageous-facts-about-twisted-sister|title=10. Dee Snider Was Arrested For Obscenity in 1984.|last=Reesman|date=Oct 23, 2023|website=Mental Floss}}

In 1985, Snider was involved in a Senate hearing instigated by the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), which sought to introduce a parental warning system that would label all albums containing what they considered offensive material. Prior to the appearance by PMRC in Congress, they had singled out a list of songs entitled the "Filthy Fifteen" to demonstrate the dangers of such material to youth, with "We're Not Gonna Take It" featuring on the list alongside Prince's "Darling Nikki", Madonna's "Dress You Up", and Venom's "Possessed", among other titles. The PMRC proposed a system involving letters that identified the types of objectionable content they determined to be found in each album (e.g., "O" for occult themes, "X" for sex and profanity, "D/A" for drugs and alcohol, "V" for violence, etc.). Snider, John Denver, and Frank Zappa all testified against censorship and the proposed warning system.{{cite web |url = http://societyofrock.com/in-1985-dee-snider-testified-in-front-of-congress-and-stunned-everyone-in-the-building/ |title = Flashback: The Time Congress Tried To Shut Down Dee Snider But He Had Other Plans |work=Society of Rock |date=2016-07-15 }} The system was never implemented, and the music industry had already adopted what is now the generic "Parental Advisory: Explicit Content" label.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dee-snider-on-pmrc-hearing-i-was-a-public-enemy-71205/|title=Dee Snider on PMRC Hearing: 'I Was a Public Enemy'|first=Kory|last=Grow|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 18, 2015}}

The PMRC involved prominent public figures such as Tipper Gore, the then-wife of Senator Al Gore (D-TN), and Susan Baker, the wife of then-Secretary of State James Baker. Tipper Gore and Snider had a publicly antagonistic relationship as a consequence, with Snider accusing her of having a "dirty mind" for alleging that the lyrics of "Under the Blade" contained sadomasochistic undertones, when in fact, they were about medical surgery.{{cite magazine |url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dee-snider-on-pmrc-hearing-i-was-a-public-enemy-71205/ |title = Dee Snider on PMRC Hearing: 'I Was a Public Enemy' |magazine=Rolling Stone |first = Kory |last = Grow |date =2015-09-18 | access-date=2021-05-27 }} Snider also alleged during the Senate hearing that Tipper Gore had fabricated evidence concerning merchandise sold by the band when she stated that "the t-shirts that kids wear" featured "Twisted Sister and a woman in handcuffs sort of spread-eagled".{{Cite web|date=2020-10-29|title=When Dee Snider fought against censorship in the '80s|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/twisted-sister-dee-snider-censorship-battle/|access-date=2021-12-18|language=en-US}} Snider challenged her to produce such a shirt, to which Al Gore clarified that "the word 't-shirts' was in plural, and one of them referred to Twisted Sister and the other referred to a woman in handcuffs".{{Cite web|last=McPadden 9/21/2015|first=Mike|title=6.66 Heavy Metal Highlights of the PMRC Hearings|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/ifkqk2/heavy-metal-highlights-of-pmrc-hearings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525133028/https://www.vh1.com/news/ifkqk2/heavy-metal-highlights-of-pmrc-hearings|url-status=live|archive-date=May 25, 2022|access-date=2021-12-18|website=VH1 News}}{{Cite web|title=Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation|url=http://www.joesapt.net/superlink/shrg99-529/committee.html|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Joesapt.net}}

The fifth Twisted Sister album was Love Is for Suckers (1987). The record was originally planned to have been a Snider solo effort, but Atlantic Records encouraged a release under the Twisted Sister name. Touring lasted only into October 1987, and on October 12, 1987, Snider announced his departure from the band. It was during this time that Snider formed Desperado, a band featuring ex-Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr, ex-Gillan guitarist Bernie Torme, and bassist Marc Russel.{{cite web |url = http://www.deesnider.com/index.php/component/content/article/77-main-page/16-about-desperado |title = About Desperado |website=Deesnider.com |access-date = 2009-04-12 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090406083659/http://www.deesnider.com/index.php/component/content/article/77-main-page/16-about-desperado |archive-date = April 6, 2009 }} The group's only album, Ace, has never been officially released, but was heavily bootlegged on CD under the title Bloodied, but Unbowed.{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/dee-snider-desperado/|title=The Single Word That Killed Dee Snider's Best Album|first=Martin|last=Kielty|date=March 26, 2023|website=Ultimate Classic Rock}}{{Cite web|url=https://deesnider.com/music/desperado/|title=Dee Snider | Desperado}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.last.fm/music/Desperado/+wiki|title=Desperado biography|website=Last.fm}}

File:Dee Snider on stage.jpg

In the 1990s, Snider formed Widowmaker with guitarist Al Pitrelli, bassist Marc Russel, and former Twisted Sister drummer Joey Franco. The quartet recorded two albums with limited underground success, titled Blood and Bullets and Stand By for Pain. In the late 1990s, Snider toured with a "self-tribute" band called Dee Snider's SMFs (Sick Mutha Fuckers), sometimes featuring ex-Twisted Sister drummer A.J. Pero. The usual lineup included Snider, Derek Tailer, Charlie Mills, Keith Alexander, and Spike.{{Cite web|url=https://www.last.fm/music/Dee+Snider/+wiki|title=Dee Snider age, hometown, biography|website=Last.fm}}

In 1993, Snider composed the theme song for The Terrible Thunderlizards. By 1994, Snider had, by his own admission: "...lost every penny I made. I was riding a bicycle to a desk job for $200 a week answering phones in an office." ({{Inflation|US|200|1994|fmt=eq}})

In 1997, Snider began hosting The House of Hair, a syndicated 1980s hard rock/heavy metal radio show on more than 200 radio stations across North America. It is syndicated by the United Stations Radio Networks. The show's format runs two or three hours depending on which version of the show a radio station carries and features Snider's closing catchphrase: "If it ain't metal, it's crap!"{{Cite web|url=https://www.houseofhaironline.com/|title=The House of Hair with Dee Snider|website=House of Hair with Dee Snider}}

In 1998, Snider penned a song entitled "The Magic of Christmas Day (God Bless Us Everyone)", which Celine Dion recorded for her album These Are Special Times. According to Snider, Dion at the time was not aware of who wrote the song. Later that year, he also wrote and starred in the horror film Strangeland. Snider also penned{{when|date=December 2022}} the script to a sequel with the working title of Strangeland: Disciple.{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3675410/strangeland-disciple-dee-snider-updates-planned-return-captain-howdy-phantom-limbs/|title='Strangeland: Disciple' – Dee Snider Updates on the Planned Return of Captain Howdy [Phantom Limbs]|first=Jason|last=Jenkins|date=July 23, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://wickedhorror.com/horror-news/dee-snider-says-now-time-strangeland-2/|title=Dee Snider Says 'Now is the Time' for Strangeland 2!|date=February 28, 2017}}

As of January 2008, however, Snider was less than optimistic that Disciple would ever see the light of day, saying in an interview with Bullz-Eye.com that he had reached a point where he should: "...put a sign on my website that says, 'Y'got ten million dollars? Give me a call. I've got the script ready to go. Robert Englund's attached, I'm attached. If somebody's serious and wants to make it, call me. But don't call me 'til you're ready to hand the check over.{{'"}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bullz-eye.com/music/interviews/2008/dee_snider.htm|title=A Chat with Dee Snider, Dee Snider interview, Twisted Sister, "Gone Country"|website=www.bullz-eye.com}}

In May 2009, Snider revealed on his radio show "The House of Hair" that Strangeland: Rising Sons would go ahead and was set to begin shooting in the fall of 2009 and would be slated for a 2010 release.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jango.com/music/Dee+Snider/_full_bio|title=Dee Snider|website=Jango Radio}}

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From June 1999 to August 2003, Snider hosted a morning radio show on a Hartford, Connecticut Clear Channel station, Radio 104 (104.1 FM WMRQ), called Dee Snider Radio. His show returned to the air at night in August 2004 on 93.3 WMMR in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania until June 2005. He fondly referred to his listeners as his "Peeps", and "DEE" euro stickers, printed by the station, could be seen on the bumpers of his fans' cars throughout Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Other members of the morning show included Nick Lentino, Beth Lockwood, "Psycho Dan" Williams, Sean Robbins, and "Darkside Dave" Wallace.{{cite web |last = Anderson |first = Kyle |title = Dee Snider Reflects On His Time In Hartford On 'Dee Snider Radio' |website = MTV News |date = November 29, 2010 |url = http://www.mtv.com/news/2580059/dee-snider-radio-hartford/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160624040200/http://www.mtv.com/news/2580059/dee-snider-radio-hartford/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = June 24, 2016 |access-date = February 27, 2021}} He frequently featured high-profile guests, including Ozzy Osbourne, pro wrestler Mick Foley, and Kiss singer/bassist Gene Simmons.

In 2001, Snider was the voice of Gol Acheron, the main villain for the PlayStation 2 video game Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. The following year, he rejoined with the reunited Twisted Sister. Snider also played himself in the 2002 TV-movie Warning: Parental Advisory. In 2003, he appeared with actor Arnold Schwarzenegger at campaign events during his drive to recall incumbent California Governor Gray Davis. Snider sang the Twisted Sister hit "We're Not Gonna Take It", which was adopted by the Schwarzenegger campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=5708&cat=|title='We're Not Gonna Take It' has been named the official song of Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign|website=Top40-Charts.com}}

Snider voiced Angry Jack in the episode "Shell Shocked" for the Nickelodeon cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants. He admitted to being a massive fan of the show during an hour-long 10th anniversary documentary of the show in 2009, stating that to be asked to voice a character on the show was an absolute honor. He changed the lyrics of his famous "I Wanna Rock" to "Goofy Goober Rock" for The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.{{Cite web|url=https://www.last.fm/music/Spongebob+Squarepants/_/Goofy+Goober+Rock|title=Goofy Goober Rock — Spongebob Squarepants|date=May 19, 2023|website=Last.fm}}

Snider has narrated and hosted many shows and specials on VH1, film trailers, behind-the-scenes segments, and DVD special features. He was featured as the "voice" in the bumpers for MSNBC's 2001/2002 "Fiercely Independent" branding campaign.

In 2003, Snider collaborated on a Halloween-themed project called Van Helsing's Curse. The project's first album, Oculus Infernum, was released by Koch Records and featured a blend of heavy metal and orchestral elements in the style of Trans-Siberian Orchestra.[http://www.maximummetal.com/reviews/reviewresults.asp?idRelease=1350 Van Helsing's Curse] Maximum Metal Reviews, Ken Pierce, June 2004 The band began touring in 2004 and later released a DVD of the concert entitled Live in Philly '05.{{cite web |url=https://bravewords.com/news/van-helsings-curse-to-tour-this-fall |title=Van Helsing's Curse to Tour this Fall |work=Brave Words |date=July 20, 2004 }}

Snider returned to radio in June 2006 with Fangoria Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 102 from 9–12 Eastern.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/twisted-sister-frontman-dee-snider-to-host-fangoria-radio-show/|title=TWISTED SISTER Frontman DEE SNIDER To Host 'Fangoria Radio' Show|date=June 22, 2006|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}

Snider hosted VH1's 2008 "Aftermath" concert in remembrance of the victims and survivors of the 2003 Station nightclub fire. During the winter of 2008, Snider was featured as a contestant on CMT's Gone Country. The show invited musical celebrities to compete against each other to win the chance to release a country song. In 2008 Snider also appeared on the first episode of Kitchen Nightmares (Season 2), chosen by Gordon Ramsay as part of the marketing for the re-launch of the Handlebar restaurant. On the show, Snider donated a motorcycle on which Handlebar clientele could bid via the restaurant's website.{{cite web | url=https://www.realitytvrevisited.com/2011/05/us-season-2-episode-1-handle-bar.html | title=Handlebar - Kitchen Nightmares Update - Open or Closed? }}

Snider has hosted{{when|date=December 2022}} Dead Art on Gallery HD, a show about cemeteries' beauty and art.{{Cite web|url=https://deesnider.com/dead-art/|title=Dee Snider | Dead Art}}

Snider has also hosted{{when|date=December 2022}} House of Hair, a radio show that plays heavy metal music. Snider has made appearances on the IFC Channel's original series Z Rock as himself playing the character of a "rock guru".{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

On July 27, 2010, Snider and his family began appearing in the reality television show Growing Up Twisted, airing on the Arts and Entertainment Network.{{cite news |url = http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/twisted-sister-s-dee-snider-gets-a-e-reality-tv-show-1.1906743 |title = Twisted Sister's Dee Snider gets A&E reality TV show |newspaper = Newsday |date = 2010-05-11 |access-date = 2017-01-20}}

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On October 8, 2010, Snider started an 11-week run in the cast of Rock of Ages as Dennis, the owner of The Bourbon Room, with his official start date being October 11.{{cite news | newspaper=Merced Sun-Star | date=October 1, 2010| page=2 | title=Dee Snider now rocking on Broadway | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114050578/dee-snider-rock-of-ages-broadway/}}

In 2011, Snider performed with Ohio-based metalcore band Attack Attack! on stage at the Bamboozle Festival playing their song "Turbo Swag". On the May 15, 2011 episode of The Apprentice, Snider appeared to assist John Rich with his final challenge. He starred in a commercial featuring a mock audition where he came on as himself, and after drinking a soda turns into the lead singer from Twisted Sister (himself). Snider agreed to come because he is personal friends with Rich and wanted to support the charity effort for St. Jude Medical Center.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.longislandpress.com/2012/04/18/dee-snider-friends-jam-for-autism-nycb-theatre/|title=Dee Snider & Friends Jam for Autism @ NYCB Theatre | Long Island Press|website=archive.longislandpress.com}}

Snider guest starred in the video for "Immaculate Misconception" by the metalcore band Motionless in White.{{cite web |title = Twisted Sister Go BIblical for new video |url = http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/music/musicnews/Twisted+Sister-100347.html |publisher = Female First |access-date =October 28, 2011 }} Snider's son, Cody Blue Snider, directed the video.{{Cite web|last=Burkart|first=Gregory|date=November 11, 2011|title=Exclusive Premiere: Motionless In White's 'Immaculate Misconception' [NSFW] |url=http://www.fearnet.com/news/news-article/exclusive-premiere-motionless-whites-immaculate-misconception-nsfw |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301221055/http://www.fearnet.com/news/news-article/exclusive-premiere-motionless-whites-immaculate-misconception-nsfw |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |access-date=2022-02-12 |website=Fearnet |language=en-US }}

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Snider and his family appeared on Celebrity Wife Swap January 10, 2012. His wife Suzette traded places with Flavor Flav's long-time fiancée Liz.{{cite web |url = http://abc.go.com/shows/celebrity-wife-swap |title = TV Shows |website = Abc.go.com |date = March 28, 2010 |access-date = 2012-01-10}}

On the Valentine's Day 2012 taping of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Snider partnered with Donald Trump in a skit based upon the format of the TV game show, Password. On February 19, 2012, Snider began appearing as one of 18 contestants vying to become Trump's next Celebrity Apprentice and was fired after the eighth task during the seventh episode.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/celebrity-apprentice-dee-snider-fired-427191/|title='All-Star Celebrity Apprentice': Dee Snider on His Biggest Regret, Busey and the Boardroom|first=Kimberly|last=Nordyke|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 11, 2013}}

In 2012, Snider appeared as the main character of a commercial airing for the company Unibet. The video{{YouTube |DjX_MvILv38 |Reklame / commercial: Unibet, Ronny Johnsen (Manchester United) og Dee Snider (Twisted Sister)}} has been broadcast on commercial Norwegian television from March 5, 2012, through the whole summer. In the spot Snider sings, in his distinctive look as leader of Twisted Sister, a rock song called "Bet", written by Snider himself and composed by the Norwegian heavy metal artist Ronni Le Tekrø.{{Cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/tnts-ronni-le-tekro-recalls-writing-some-riffs-for-dee-sniders-album/|title=TNT's Ronni Le Tekro Recalls Writing Some Riffs For Dee Snider's Album|first=Serra|last=Ozturk|date=February 25, 2023|website=Rock Celebrities}}

Snider asked Republican vice presidential running mate Paul Ryan's camp not to play his hit song in their campaign.{{cite news |title =Dee Snider To Paul Ryan: Stop Playing My Song |url = http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/22/dee-snider-to-paul-ryan-stop-playing-my-song/ |agency = Associated Press |access-date = August 23, 2012 }}

On September 6, 2012, Snider performed "We're Not Gonna Take It" on America's Got Talent. Also in 2012, Snider played Larry, the owner of a dive bar in the mockumentary Future Folk{{cite web|title = The History of Future Folk |date = 2012 |url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2245195/ |website= IMDb.com}} about an alien bluegrass band.{{Cite web|url=https://deesnider.com/the-history-of-future-folk/|title=Dee Snider | The History of Future Folk}}

On January 24, 2013, at the City National Grove of Anaheim, Snider was honored as roastee at the Revolver Magazine/Guitar World Rock and Roll Roast of Dee Snider.{{cite web |url = http://rockandrollroast.com/ |title = The Guitar World & Revolver Rock & Roll Roast Comedy Show! |publisher = Rock and Roll Roast |date = 2014-06-20 |access-date = 2017-01-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130416123447/http://rockandrollroast.com/ |archive-date = April 16, 2013 |url-status = dead }}

On November 4, 2014, Snider debuted his original Christmas musical, Dee Snider's Rock and Roll Christmas Tale, at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago.[http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/792331/dee-snider-to-debut-rock-and-roll-christmas-tale-in-chicago] {{dead link|date=January 2017}} During the 2015 Christmas season, he took the musical to Toronto.{{cite web |last = Slotek |first = Jim |url = http://www.torontosun.com/2015/11/16/twisted-sisters-dee-snider-set-to-wow-to-with-rock-n-roll-christmas-tale |title = Twisted Sister's Dee Snider set to wow audiences with 'Rock 'n' Roll Christmas T |website = Torontosun.com |access-date = 2017-01-20}}

Snider provided the narration for Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie, which is a documentary film directed by Drew Fortier about the 1980s hard rock band Bang Tango.{{cite web |url = http://www.deesnider.com/news/287-news/latest/390-dee-narrates-bang-tango-documentary |title = Dee Narrates Bang Tango Documentary |last = Lucchese |first = J Cooch |website =Deesnider.com |language = en-gb |access-date = 2018-05-23 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180315133716/http://www.deesnider.com/news/287-news/latest/390-dee-narrates-bang-tango-documentary |archive-date = March 15, 2018 |url-status = dead}}{{cite web |url = https://sleazeroxx.com/twisted-sisters-dee-snider-to-narrate-bang-tango-movie/ |title = Twisted Sister's Dee Snider To Narrate Bang Tango Movie – Sleaze Roxx |website = sleazeroxx.com |date = June 3, 2013 |language = en-CA |access-date = 2018-05-23}}

On May 27, 2021, Snider announced his new upcoming solo album Leave A Scar. He also released the single "I Gotta Rock (Again)" which he described as the "driving motivation" and "starting gun for this album".{{cite web|title= Dee Snider Preps 'Leave a Scar' LP and Releases New Song|date=May 27, 2021 |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/dee-snider-leave-a-scar/ |access-date=July 30, 2021 }} Leave A Scar will be produced by Jamey Jasta, the lead singer of the band Hatebreed, with mixing and mastering done by Nick Bellmore.{{cite web|title=Dee Snider: 'Leave A Scar' Album Details Revealed|date=May 27, 2021|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dee-snider-leave-a-scar-album-details-revealed-i-gotta-rock-again-music-video-available/|access-date= July 30, 2021 }} The album features guest appearances by Cannibal Corpse's singer Corpsegrinder on the track "Time To Choose". Music videos were released for the songs "I Gotta Rock (Again)", "Down But Never Out", and "Time To Choose".{{cite web|title=Dee Snyder Releases Music Video For 'Down But Never Out' From 'Leave A Scar' Solo Album|date=July 30, 2021|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dee-snider-releases-music-video-for-down-but-never-out-from-leave-a-scar-solo-album/|access-date=July 30, 2021 }} The album was released on July 30, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://live-metal.com/2021/05/27/dee-snider-to-release-new-solo-album-leave-a-scar-on-july-30/|title=Dee Snider to release new solo album 'Leave a Scar' on July 30|date=May 27, 2021|website=Live Metal}}

In 2023, Snider competed in season nine of The Masked Singer as "Doll".{{cite magazine | url=https://ew.com/tv/the-masked-singer-doll-revealed-dee-snider/ | title=Doll reveals why he got back in drag for 'The Masked Singer' | magazine=Entertainment Weekly }} After besting George Wendt as "Moose" and Christine Quinn of Selling Sunset as "Scorpio" on "'80s Night", he was eliminated on "WB Movie Night". Snider also did "We're Not Gonna Take It" as an encore.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-9-episode-8-recap-dee-snider-1235573933/ | title='The Masked Singer' Reveals Identity of the Doll: Here's Who It is | date=April 6, 2023 }}

On July 11, 2013, after abortion rights activists sang "We're Not Gonna Take It" to protest legal restrictions on abortion in Texas,{{cite web |url = http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/22818882/texas-senate-prepares-final-vote-on-abortion-bill |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130713104842/http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/22818882/texas-senate-prepares-final-vote-on-abortion-bill |url-status = dead |archive-date = July 13, 2013 |title = Texas Senate prepares final vote on abortion bill |date = July 13, 2013}} Snider tweeted that he is "pro-choice",{{cite web |url = https://twitter.com/deesnider/status/355540730434953216 |title = Dee Snider on Twitter: "Don't know why some people are so shocked I'm Pro-choice. The first line of We're Not Gonna Take It is "We've got the right to choose!"" |publisher = Twitter |access-date = 2017-01-20}} and that he did not believe that being Christian and "pro-choice" were mutually exclusive of one another.{{cite web |url = https://twitter.com/deesnider/status/355531648248459265 |title = Dee Snider on Twitter: "@FoxieNews Absolutely! Being a Christian and being pro choice are not mutually exclusive." |publisher = Twitter |access-date = 2017-01-20}}

In 2016, Snider recorded a piano ballad version of "We're Not Gonna Take It" for Criss Angel's charity HELP (Heal Every Life Angel Possible) to raise money for pediatric cancer treatment and research. Angel directed the video.{{cite web |url = https://www.today.com/parents/twisted-sister-rock-anthem-remade-help-kids-cancer-t102221 |title = Twisted Sister rock anthem remade to help kids with cancer|author=Allison Slater Tate | date=August 26, 2016 |publisher = Today (American TV program) |access-date = 2023-08-12}}

In the wake of teachers' strikes in West Virginia and Oklahoma, Snider dedicated "We're Not Gonna Take It" to teachers during his "Rocktopia" performance at the Broadway Theatre in New York on April 9, 2018.{{cite web|last1=Chandler|first1=Chris|title=Twisted Sister frontman dedicates 'We're Not Gonna Take It' to teachers|url=http://www.wlky.com/article/twisted-sister-frontman-dedicates-were-not-gonna-take-it-to-teachers/19747779?src=app|website=Wlky.com|publisher=Hearst Television|access-date=11 April 2018|date=11 April 2018}} The song had become an anthem for protesting teachers in West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma and elsewhere, and Snider had tweeted his "support [of the] underpaid teacher's cause" after seeing a video of music teachers in Oklahoma performing the song.

In 2021, Snider objected to the use of the song by demonstrators in Fort Lauderdale protesting face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.{{cite news | newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel | date=March 5, 2022 | last=Huriash | first=Lisa J. | title=Dee Snider slams anti-maskers in state in pro-Ukraine tweet |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112797693/dee-snider-anti-mask-tweet/}} During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Snider approved the use of "We're Not Gonna Take It" by the Ukrainians.{{cite news | newspaper=Newsday | date=March 2, 2022 | page=A18 | last=Lovece | first=Frank | title=Snider OKs song as Ukrainian battle cry | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112797917/dee-snider-ok-song-ukraine/}}

{{blockquote|People are asking me why I endorsed the use of 'We're Not Gonna Take It' for the Ukrainian people and did not for the anti-maskers. Well, one use is for a righteous battle against oppression; the other is infantile feet stomping against an inconvenience.}}

In 2022, Snider tweeted on X over the use of the song by right-wing activists:

ATTENTION QANON, MAGAT FASCISTS: Every time you sing 'We're Not Gonna Take It' remember it was written by a cross-dressing, libtard, tree hugging half-Jew who HATES everything you stand for. It was you and people like you that inspired every angry word of that song! SO F**K OFF!{{Cite news |title=Dee Snider🇺🇸🎤 (@deesnider) on X |url=https://twitter.com/deesnider/status/1563058596128034817 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240726220409/https://twitter.com/deesnider/status/1563058596128034817 |archive-date=2024-07-26 |access-date=2025-05-31 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en}}

In November 2023, when asked after the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel whether he was okay with Israeli soldiers using his band's "We're Not Gonna Take It" as a battle cry, Snider replied:

"Oh, hell yeah. You know what? Israelis, the assault on the Israelis, people are losing sight of something. People saying that, 'Oh, the response is gonna be too intense for what happened.' Well, you don't get to decide on the response when you do heinous things to civilians. You don't get to say, 'Oh, that's enough, that's enough retaliation.' No, it doesn't work like that. When you cross that line, you're burning people, you're slaughtering people, you're raping people, you're just killing people, after what happened at that festival you don't get to say, 'Okay, your revenge can be this much.' No. Payback's a mothereffer. And I come from that school. You cross that line, you know… Sh*t's gonna happen. Sing it out, boys."Doron Friedman (October 26, 2023). [https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/10/26/sing-it-out-boys-dee-snider-reacts-to-idf-playing-were-not-gonna-take-it/ "'Sing it out, boys': Dee Snider reacts to IDF playing 'We're Not Gonna Take It'; The heavy metal legend says no one gets to tell Israel how to respond to the murderous Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, because the terror group "crossed a line."], Israel Hayom.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tiktok.com/@ron43t/video/7299795019446177042|title=Dee Snider, lead singer of the metal band Twisted Sister ... |date=November 10, 2023|author=Ron Israel|work=TMZ|publisher=TikTok}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/twisted-sisters-dee-snider-responds-to-israeli-forces-playing-were-not-gonna-take-it-3520620|title=Twisted Sister's Dee Snider responds to Israeli forces playing 'We're Not Gonna Take It'|first=Anagricel|last=Duran|date=October 24, 2023|work=NME}}

Snider has been married to his wife Suzette, a costume designer, since 1981.{{cite web |url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0811124/bio |title = Dee Snider - Biography |website = IMDb.com |access-date = 2017-01-20}} They have four children, Jesse Blaze Snider (born September 19, 1982), Shane Royal Snider (born February 29, 1988), Cody Blue Snider (born December 7, 1989), and Cheyenne Jean Snider (born October 31, 1996) who was in the band They All Float. He also has four grandchildren.

In the 1985 Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) Senate hearings, Snider stated: "I was born and raised a Christian, and I still adhere to those principles."{{YouTube |S0Vyr1TylTE |'Dee Snider PMRC Senate Hearing Speech' (Full)}}

In 2003, Snider's brother-in-law, Vincent Gargiulo, was murdered.{{cite news |title = Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider stands by wife Suzette at trial of LI killer gym rat|date = April 25, 2013 |url = https://nypost.com/2013/04/25/twisted-sister-singer-dee-snider-stands-by-wife-suzette-at-trial-of-li-killer-gym-rat/ |publisher = nypost.com |first = Mitchel |last = Maddux}} The killer was apprehended in 2009.

Snider lived part-time in East Setauket, New York.{{cite web |url = http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/dee-sniders-house/ |title = Dee Snider's House in East Setauket, NY |publisher = Virtual Globetrotting |date = 2007-08-25 |access-date = 2017-01-20}} He appeared on MTV Cribs in 2005 to show his Long Island home, along with two of his four children, Shane and Cheyenne.

In 2008, he stated in a TMZ interview that he would be voting for Barack Obama because John McCain (whom he liked and supported for many years) would not acknowledge the "mistakes" George W. Bush had made while in office.{{YouTube |Y0Wl80EQy68 |Dee Snider Talks About Obama}} In 2024, Snider reflected on the presidential election held that year, and regarding the victory of Trump said, "I’m disappointed that most of my countrymen, both men and women, can’t see the big picture."{{Cite web |title=U.S. Rocker Dee Snider: My great-grandfather was shot dead by Russian soldiers in front of his son – I understand why you feel the way you do |url=https://www.delfi.lt/en/politics/us-rocker-dee-snider-my-great-grandfather-was-shot-dead-by-russian-soldiers-in-front-of-his-son-i-understand-why-you-feel-the-way-you-do-120063332 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Delfi EN |language=lt}}

In 1987, Snider and co-author Philip Bashe published Dee Snider's Teenage Survival Guide, a self-help manual for adolescence.{{Cite news |newspaper=Indiana Gazette |date=August 8, 1987 |page=37 |last=Zvirin |first=Stephanie |title=Dee Snider: Unlikely Candidate to Advise Teens |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112792605/dee-snider-teenage-survival-guide/}} His autobiography, Shut Up and Give Me the Mic, was published in 2012.{{Cite magazine |title=Shut Up and Give Me the Mic: A Twisted Memoir by Dee Snider |magazine=Publishers Weekly |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781451637397 |access-date=November 9, 2022}} He wrote We're Not Gonna Take It, a children's book illustrated by Margaret McCartney, which was published in 2020.{{cite book |title=We're Not Gonna Take It |oclc=1162787094}} In 2022, a graphic novel collaboration between Snider, writer Frank Marraffino, and artist Steve Kurth, was announced by Z2 Comics,{{cite web |work=CBR |last=Dominguez |first=Noah |date=June 30, 2022 |title=Twister Sister Frontman Dee Snider Debuts Anti-censorship 'He's Not Gonna Take It' Graphic Novel |url=https://www.cbr.com/twisted-sister-dee-snider-hes-not-gonna-take-it-censorship-z2-comics/}} scheduled for publication in 2023.{{Cite book |oclc=1336005907 |title=Dee Snider: He's Not Gonna Take It}}

• Twisted Sister (Disbanded 2016)
• Desperado
• Widowmaker
• Bent Brother (Twisted Sister occasionally made small tours around the world, in full makeup, and previous to those performances, performed as Bent Brother, practicing their set and appearing without makeup, usually at reduced ticket prices)
• Van Helsing's Curse (2004)

• Never Let the Bastards Wear You Down (2000)
• Dee Does Broadway (2012){{cite web |url = https://www.amazon.com/Dee-Does-Broadway-Snider/dp/B007JU1RBK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336651375&sr=8-2 |title = Dee Snider - Dee Does Broadway |website = Amazon.com |access-date = 2017-01-20}}
• We Are the Ones (2016){{cite web |url = https://music.apple.com/us/album/we-are-the-ones/1154881001 |title = We Are the Ones by Dee Snider on Apple Music |website = iTunes |date = 2016-10-28 |access-date = 2017-01-20}}
• For the Love of Metal (2018)
• Leave a Scar (2021)

• "Eleanor Rigby" on Eddie Ojeda's Axes 2 Axes, 2005
• "SCG3 Special Report" on Lordi: The Arockalypse, 2006
• "The Haunting" on Ghostlights, by Avantasia, 2016
• "Contract Song" on XXX: 30 Years in Metal by Hansen, 2016
• "True Rocker" on True Rockers by Monster Truck, 2018
• "These Old Boots" on Old Lions Still Roar by Phil Campbell, 2019
• "Get Out! Now!" on Transitus by Ayreon, 2020
• "Temple of Blues" by Cactus, 2024{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Carmine Appice announces new Cactus album with massive all-star lineup |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/carmine-appice-cactus-relaunch}}

• "Crazy Train" on Bat Head Soup: A Tribute to Ozzy, 2000
• "Go to Hell" on Humanary Stew: A Tribute To Alice Cooper, 1999
• "Go to Hell" on Welcome to My Nightmare: An All-Star Salute To Alice Cooper, 1999
• "Detroit Rock City" on Spin The Bottle: An All-Star Tribute To KISS, 2004
• "Wasted Years" on Numbers From The Beast : An All Star Tribute to Iron Maiden, 2005
• "Paint it Black" on Harder & Heavier-60's British Invasion Goes Metal, 2010
• "It Was a Very Good Year" on Sin-Atra, 2011
• "Walk All Over You" on Remixed to Hell: A Tribute to AC/DC

• "Inconclusion" from Strangeland soundtrack (1998)

• "Saigon Suicide Show"; an episode of the television show The Upright Citizens Brigade, 1998
• VH1's I love the... series, 2002–2004
• Appeared on Chappelle's Show on Comedy Central, season 1 episode 6 as part of the "Ask a Gay Dude – with Mario Cantone " skit; aired February 26, 2003
• "Handlebar"; an episode of the television show Kitchen Nightmares, 2008
• "Episode#1.7"; an episode of the television show Z Rock (ZO2), 2008
• Monster Circus live at the Las Vegas Hilton March 19–21 and 26–28, 2009
• "I Wanna Rock" on America's Got Talent, 2010
• Celebrity Apprentice May 15, 2011
• He played a regular supporting role as character Lance Rocket in the FEARnet horror-comedy series Holliston from 2012-2013.
• RadioShack: "The '80s Called" (2014){{cite magazine |url = http://people.com/tv/radioshack-super-bowl-commercial-every-80s-reference-in-the-ad-spot/ |title = Celebrating Every '80s Reference in That RadioShack Super Bowl Commercial |author = Jones, Nate |magazine = People |date = 2 February 2014 |access-date = 25 May 2017}}
• Counting Cars (2016–2017) – appeared in person in three episodes
• AXS TV{{'}}s Top Ten Revealed, (2018–present){{cite web | last=Iahn | first=Buddy | title=AXS TV's 'The Top Ten Revealed' returns for second season | website=The Music Universe | date=November 20, 2018 | url=https://themusicuniverse.com/axs-tvs-top-ten-revealed-returns-second-season/ | access-date=November 9, 2022}}{{cite web | last=Iahn | first=Buddy | title=AXS TV reveals 'Top Ten Revealed' & 'Year in Music' fifth season premieres | website=The Music Universe | date=April 6, 2022 | url=https://themusicuniverse.com/axs-tv-reveals-top-ten-revealed-year-music-fifth-season-premieres/ | access-date=November 9, 2022}}
• Cobra Kai (2021) - Appeared as himself at a concert two of the characters visit. He performs "I Wanna Rock".
• Celebrity Family Feud (2021){{cite web | last=Schonter | first=Allison | title=Dee Snider's Wife and Daughter Turn Heads During 'Celebrity Family Feud' Appearance | website=TV | date=June 21, 2021 | url=https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/dee-snider-wife-daughter-turn-heads-during-celebrity-family-feud-appearance/ | access-date=November 9, 2022}}
• The Masked Singer (4/5/2023) as Herself/Doll (season 9 contestant)
• Metal Family (Animated series) (2018–present)
• Ridiculousness (2024) S41 E1

• "Howard Stern" on Sirius, February 8, 2006; 2007
• Penn Radio (October 19, 2006) – interviewed by Penn Jillette{{cite web |url = https://archive.org/download/Penn_Radio_archive/The.Penn.Jillette.Radio.Show.2006.10.19.mp3 |title = MP3 File |website = Archive.org |access-date = 2017-01-20}}

• Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) – cameo appearance filming a video for "Burn in Hell"
• Private Parts (1997) – cameo appearance backstage at the 1992 MTV Music Awards
• Strangeland (1998)
• Warning: Parental Advisory (2002)
• Kiss Loves You (2004)
• Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)
• The Celebrity Apprentice 5 (2012)
• The History of Future Folk (2012)
• Rock and Roll Roast of Dee Snider (2013)
• The Celebrity Apprentice 6 (2013)
• Holliston (series; 2013–2018)
• The Last Sharknado: It's About Time as Sheriff (2018){{Cite web|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/08/19/yes-really-the-last-sharknado-may-be-the-best-sharknado/|title=Yes, Really: 'The Last Sharknado' May be the Best Sharknado - Bleeding Cool|date=August 19, 2018}}
• Cover Your Ears (2024) produced by Prairie Coast Films and directed by Sean Patrick Shaul{{cite web | title=Cover Your Ears | website= CIFF | url=https://www.ciffcalgary.ca/films/2023/cover-your-ears/ | access-date=February 2, 2024}}

• Motorcity (2012) – The Duke of Detroit
• Killer Karaoke (2012–2013) - narrator and announcer
• "Street Monkeys," SNI/SI Networks L.L.C (2011) – narrator
• SpongeBob SquarePants (2009) – played the character Angry Jack in the episode "Shell Shocked" (coincidentally, Twisted Sister's song "I Wanna Rock" was spoofed in The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie)
• Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001) – voice of Gol Acheron
• Secret Mountain Fort Awesome – voice of the Tooth Fairy
• Ronal the Barbarian (2011) - Lord Volcazar{{cite web | url=https://screenanarchy.com/2011/08/twisted-sisters-dee-snider-joins-english-voice-cast-of-ronal-the-barbarian.html | title=Twisted Sister's Dee Snider Joins English Voice Cast of RONAL THE BARBARIAN | date=August 15, 2011 }}

• Dee Snider's Teenage Survival Guide with Philip Bashe, 1987, Dolphin/Doubleday
• Shut Up and Give Me the Mic: a twisted memoir, 2012, Gallery Books
• We're Not Gonna Take It: A Children's Picture Book, 2020, Akashic Books
• Dee Snider: He's Not Gonna Take It with Frank Marraffino and Steve Kurth, 2023, Z2 Comics

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official website |http://www.deesnider.com}}
• {{allMusic}}
• {{IMDb name}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050713000147/http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/meet_the_family/90881/episode.jhtml Meet the Snider Family on VH1] – official VH1 site
• [http://www.deesniderradio.com/ Dee Snider radio talk show] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107060107/http://www.deesniderradio.com/ |date=November 7, 2016 }}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnYX5ZL9y3U Dee Snider - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?] at Loudwire

{{Twisted Sister}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Snider, Dee}}

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