Ep 3. Twisted Sister

Behind The Music is a documentary-style television show that explores the rise and fall of some of the biggest names in the music industry. Season 5 episode 3 focuses on the iconic heavy metal band, Twisted Sister.

The episode begins with footage of the young rockers from Long Island, New York. The bandmembers, frontman Dee Snider, guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda, bassist Mark Mendoza, and drummer A.J. Pero, share their humble beginnings and how their passion for music brought them together.

Through interviews with the band and those close to them, the episode details their early struggles, including playing gigs for little pay and living in squalor. However, the band's relentless work ethic and determination paid off as they gained a loyal following in the tri-state area.

The episode also delves into the band's controversial image, which included wearing makeup, cross-dressing, and provocative lyrics, which drew the ire of conservative parents and lawmakers, but fueled their fans even more.

The show explores the band's breakthrough moment, their hit single "We're Not Gonna Take It," and how it catapulted them into the mainstream. The band reflects on their sudden fame and how it affected their personal lives. Dee Snider opens up about his strained relationship with his father and how their contentious relationship inspired the song "We're Not Gonna Take It."

Behind The Music also covers the band's legal battle with the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), a censorship organization led by Tipper Gore and other prominent politicians' wives. The PMRC took issue with Twisted Sister's explicit lyrics and helped create the "Parental Advisory" label still used today.

The show addresses the band's decline in popularity in the late '80s and how they struggled to adapt to changing musical tastes. The band members admit their mistakes, including releasing an unpopular album and breaking up in the early '90s, only to reunite for a nostalgic tour a decade later.

The episode concludes with the band reflecting on their legacy and their fandom, how they've influenced several generations of fans and musicians, and how they remain one of the most unforgettable bands in rock history.

Overall, Behind The Music season 5 episode 3 offers a fascinating look into the world of Twisted Sister, exploring their rise to fame, their controversial image, and how they navigated the ups and downs of the music industry. For fans and newcomers alike, this episode is a must-see for understanding the iconic band's legacy.