98. Dee Snider - Twisted Sister

98. Dee Snider - Twisted Sister

Author: VRP Rocks September 4, 2023 Duration: 52:45
Dee Snider needs no introduction. With huge success in the 80s, his career seemed unstoppable. Dee takes us through his career, recounting some incredible and hair-raising moments from his time in Twisted Sister From being the target of bottle-throwing crowds to the intense energy of iconic festivals like Reading and Donnington, he has seen it all. Through his candid storytelling, you'll learn how he turned challenging situations into unforgettable performances that left audiences in awe. You'll hear stories about metal legend Lemmy, how he felt ostracised from his bandmates right from the moment he joined, how he wrote the groups biggest album in just 45 minutes and much more. Plus he details how, as the music scene started to change, so did his fortunes. He found himself at a crossroads, facing financial struggles unlike any he had experienced before. It was a humbling experience for the rock star, as he realized that his ego had prevented him from accepting that his career was over. Broke and with a family to support, Snider hit rock bottom. He found himself working a desk job and even lying about his identity. It was a wake-up call, forcing him to reassess his life and priorities. Snider credits his wife for not putting up with his rock star behaviour and for pushing him to start over. This experience taught him to be appreciative and respectful, a lesson that would shape his future endeavours. But Snider's talents extend far beyond music. Not only does he possess the gift of songwriting, demonstrated by the iconic hits of Twisted Sister, but he is also an accomplished writer. He shares stories of his writing process as his novels, screenplays, musicals, and songs all draw inspiration from his vast repertoire of ideas. In addition to his captivating interview, the episode also delves into Snider's latest venture, his book "Frats." Based on true events, this intense and dark novel draws inspiration from high school fraternities with a twist. Don't miss out on this incredible episode of the VRP Rocks! Subscribe now to the podcast and explore our previous episodes, which feature interviews with over 25 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. And don't forget to join our growing community of rock fans on the VRP Rocks YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a certain magic in hearing the stories behind the music directly from the people who created it. VRP Rocks-Classic Rock Interviews is built on that simple idea, offering long-form conversations with the legendary artists who defined an era. Each episode features a different iconic figure, with an impressive roster that includes more than thirty Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Hosted by UK radio veteran Paul Stephenson, the discussions go beyond the greatest hits to explore the personal memories, studio sessions, and touring tales from the heart of rock's glory days. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of the creativity, chaos, and camaraderie that fueled classic rock, all presented with a deep respect for the genre and its history. This isn't just a series of quick promotional chats; it's a thoughtfully produced podcast dedicated to preserving these narratives. For anyone who has ever wondered about the real stories behind the anthems, this podcast serves as an essential oral history, recorded for fans who want to listen closely.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

VRP Rocks - Classic Rock Interviews
Podcast Episodes
138. Russ Ballard - Breaks Down His Iconic Hits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:49
Russ Ballard is back on VRP Rocks! In this exclusive interview, the legendary singer, songwriter, and musician talks to Paul about his brand new double album Songs from the Warehouse: The Hits Rewired. Russ opens up abou…
137. Paul Rappaport - Sr VP Columbia Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:30
On this episode of VRP Rocks, I sit down with Paul Rappaport, the legendary rock promotions executive who helped shape the careers of The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and so m…
136. Peter Holsapple - The dB's / R.E.M. / Hootie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:04
On this episode of VRP Rocks, Peter Holsapple joins me to talk about his incredible career in music—from co-founding The dB’s, touring and recording with R.E.M., and spending 20 years with Hootie & the Blowfish, to his b…
135. Tracii Guns - LA Guns [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:06
On this episode of VRP Rocks, I’m joined by legendary guitarist Tracii Guns—founder of L.A. Guns and an early member of Guns N’ Roses. From the Sunset Strip’s wildest days to the release of L.A. Guns’ brand-new album Leo…
134. Tony Butler - Big Country [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:08
In this episode of VRP Rocks, I sit down with Tony Butler, best known as the bassist for Big Country and a musician with an impressive career spanning collaborations with Pete Townshend & The Pretenders. Tony shares fasc…
Guy Pratt - My 5 Favourite... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:47
Legendary session bassist Guy Pratt returns to VRP Rocks to share his five favourite albums that he’s played on and the stories behind them. With a career spanning decades, Guy has worked with some of the biggest names i…
133. Chris Thompson - Manfred Mann's Earth Band [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:52
Chris Thompson – The Voice of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band on Blinded By The Light, War of the Worlds & His Final Live Album Chris Thompson, the powerhouse voice behind Blinded By The Light, Davey’s on the Road Again, and c…
Graham Bonnet - My 5 Favourite... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:55
VRP Rocks is back for 2025! After a short break to build up a bank of interviews, we’re kicking off the year in style with a rock legend whose voice has defined multiple eras of classic rock. In this episode, I sit down…
132. Billy J Kramer - Christmas 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:20
In this very special Christmas episode of VRP Rocks, Paul Stephenson sits down with Merseybeat legend Billy J. Kramer to reflect on his incredible career and enduring passion for music. As one of the key figures of the B…
131. Leslie Mandoki - An Unbelievable Life Story!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:15
From escaping communist Hungary through a perilous 7-mile tunnel to creating one of the most innovative supergroups in music history, Leslie Mándoki's life is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, I sit down w…