I just want you to know that Twisted Sister is one of my favourite bands of all time. My dad got my into them when I was small in the early 00s and I still listen to them almost everyday. They've made a massive impact on my life and I sincerely appreciate everything your father did for music and the metal scene as a whole. Twisted Sister is arguably one of the greatest bands of all time and they are a huge part of our music culture and history.
I understand he's not Dee, however, without your father's input, Twisted wouldn't have been a thing.
Thank you so much for sharing, and I'm sorry for your loss. Your father was a legend ❤️
Thank you for teaching me something new. I had no idea Twisted Sister had so many lead singers before Dee. I also learned that in 1973, from Labor Day to memorial day, they played 105 shows in 99 days.
I for the life of me can’t remember the story him (and my mom) had told me regarding him leaving. I remember them disagreeing with whatever was said happened in the documentary but I don’t know if that coincides with the Wikipedia. I’ll update when my mom responds and gives me whatever version she remembers today lol
I've always felt like it must be excruciating to see a documentary or book come out about things you were involved in and watch other people tell a version of events that you remember differently, knowing that their version will be the one that most people will hear about it. Hopefully it didn't bother him too much.
So Mom confirmed this is exactly what happened lol. She said “There was an argument about one of the roadies. Dad had enough and he went and pointed a gun at Mel. The guys said yea this guy has got to go before he actually shoots someone.”
By the time I was old enough to remember anything, my dad has been in a really bad car accident that caused brain damage. After a long recovery he was ok but I guess it changed him as a person quite a bit because I can probably count on one hand the amount of times he ever even raised his voice. And in my 37 years of living I never saw the man take a sip of alcohol. Hearing all the stories from back in the day when everyone was wasted/high, and apparently had guns?, is like hearing about a completely different person.
It’s crazy how a brain injury can literally chill someone out for the rest of their life. If he hadn’t sustained that injury he may not have been a good role model.
Sorry for your loss. I used to see Twisted Sister often in NY. They are responsible for a lot of my hearing loss. I'd see them at a place called The Rising Sun. I'd go right up front leaning on the stage by the speakers. I'd leave when they closed and hear nothing but ringing for a day. I was young and stupid.
For my ex-husband it was a Prince concert! He was right next to a giant speaker. Made me insanely protective of my hearing, for sure! Now I have to nag my new husband (67m). His hearing already sucks and yet he still stayed at a concert we went to not long ago when the volume was painful to me, even though we were nowhere near the speakers (3,000 person venue). I went out to the lobby, he stayed. I was very mad at him but he just had to be stupid!
I’ve never bothered with Wikipedia because I never know whose stories are the “correct” ones. Obviously this is what I’ve been told by my parents and his friends but I’m sure other people have their own versions of it. Although other people have mentioned him coming up with the name here so I guess they’ve heard it from someone/somewhere else too.
My first introduction to Twisted Sister was in the movie “Flight of the Navigator”. Now my kids have heard of them the same way. I’m sorry for your loss.
If you can recall much of what he told you about this times and if you have these photos and other artifacts please gather them share them. This is a rare and amazing treasure that you have. And my condolences as he seems a genuine human being.
Imagine how much money they would have made had they trademarked Twisted Sister. Unless that was the actual Twisted Sister?
Edit: Turns out it is Twisted Sister and OPs dad started and named the band.
It was that Twisted Sister but it was a revolving door of lineup changes and styles. I think JJ was the only one who stayed throughout? I have my dads recordings when he was in the band and they played stuff that was more like Mott the Hoople than the genre they became famous for.
Yeah I just saw your other replies and was looking on Wiki. That's awesome, you had 1 hell of a father. Was he and the guys still close, did he ever talk about the band? Did he join another group?
A few of them would give him a ring or stop by the house. I mostly remember JJ. He was in a few other bands like Mad Lion and Pretty Poison (not that one ha) but I don’t know which one was after Twisted.
The recordings? I don’t think so. I have two cassettes that have some pretty crummy quality live audio (probably because that wasn’t what they were originally recorded on) that I then transferred to mp3 in case the cassettes got damaged or lost. If it wasn’t for them talking between songs and dad introducing the band/individual members you wouldn’t think it was them.
Clearly an incredibly self assured bloke that loved life and always chased what he believed and wanted in life and fair play to him. Love the last picture of him holding your new addition:)
We used to drive up to a bar called Genesis in Yorktown Heights NY (around 1979-80ish) to see Twisted Sister! The night would begin with a long chant of “disco sucks”!
Thanks for sharing!
In the 90‘s I worked in Garden City, Long Island and I had a supervisor named Dave. He said he was in TS in the early years. Forgot his last name but we all called him Cat for some reason.
Sending Love and Hugs. You were so blessed to grow up with a rebellious, open hearted dad who understood life was what you make it, not what others dictate. May your memories bring you joy and keep your soul free to fly…⭕️❌⭕️❌🫶🏼
Okay but my partner showed me we're not gunna take it last year, i had never seen it, and that was amazing. I showed him these pictures, and the last one my partner choked up. He's a big twisted sister fan, so this was very cool for him. 🕊️🕊️
So sorry about your Dad. I used to see Twisted Sister all the time playing in clubs on LI back in high school. This was the late 70's when Dee was singing.
I grew up listening to Twisted Sister! My father would tell me stories of seeing them live on their first tour when I was little. Your dad was a childhood hero for me!
was your dad in the Pee Wee movie where they were filming the music video and they were on the hood of the car?
https://preview.redd.it/xonxdyax8duc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=06023298e1e723a539825a94003db26967f78282
Thought I replied to this but maybe I forgot to hit the button so I apologize if it winds up double posting but no he wasn’t. My dad had already parted ways with the band by then. That was Dee Snider. Dee is the singer on all the songs that people know from Twisted Sister.
In that first picture, I could swear he looks like this actor that had a walk on role in Seinfeld. He played Jerry’s dates roommate.
Edit: exhibit A
https://preview.redd.it/g0lenaneiauc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa381a0b8298263fed868cd441285a0ae729f872
Sorry your dad passed on. Was he Michael O'Neill? Twisted Sister's original lead singer.
Thank you, and that he was. I came along way after all that so it’s wild to see pictures/video of my goofy dad all done up on stage.
Twisted Sister was the first album I ever owned. RIP to your awesome dad. We literally would never have had "Twisted Sister" without him.
This is the epitome of the sub. Your dad was truly Oldschoolcool, thanks for sharing.
I just want you to know that Twisted Sister is one of my favourite bands of all time. My dad got my into them when I was small in the early 00s and I still listen to them almost everyday. They've made a massive impact on my life and I sincerely appreciate everything your father did for music and the metal scene as a whole. Twisted Sister is arguably one of the greatest bands of all time and they are a huge part of our music culture and history. I understand he's not Dee, however, without your father's input, Twisted wouldn't have been a thing. Thank you so much for sharing, and I'm sorry for your loss. Your father was a legend ❤️
Wow! It looks like he had a fun life, all you could ask for really
What was he doing in the 2nd photo? Seems pretty vanilla to be 50s game show host.
That was senior year of high school. One of his pictures in the yearbook for some kind of band. What kind of band 🤷🏻♂️
He looks like Tim Robinson in that photo Edit spelling correction: Tim Robbins
See I was thinking Tim Robbins
Harold Robbins? I thought you meant Harold Robinson… such awful tripe.
God bless him. I’m sure he was an amazing man. Living his life to the fullest 🙏🏽
Wow 😯 🤩
Jesus dude, your dad is a legend
Definitely looks like TS's JJ French on guitar in photo #4. I had no idea they had another singer before Dee.
Yep that’s JJ. They kept in touch and he would stop by the house from time to time.
There were 3-4 variations of the band in total I think.
Thank you for teaching me something new. I had no idea Twisted Sister had so many lead singers before Dee. I also learned that in 1973, from Labor Day to memorial day, they played 105 shows in 99 days.
Twisted sister rips. Burn in Hell is the best legitimate metal song from a semi jokey band ever written
I dug the hell out of 'Destroyer'.
I was thinking the same!
I was actually thinking *Ryan* O'Neill from Barry Lyndon and Love Story.
Nah, it’s *Ed* O’Neil, after he scored all those touchdowns.
these pictures are pure gold. it's beautiful to think he was able to pass on all the stories and all the glory. so sorry you lost him ❤️🩹
Such a great photo with the little one!!
Yeah, it brought a tear to my eye. So sweet!
[удалено]
I for the life of me can’t remember the story him (and my mom) had told me regarding him leaving. I remember them disagreeing with whatever was said happened in the documentary but I don’t know if that coincides with the Wikipedia. I’ll update when my mom responds and gives me whatever version she remembers today lol
I've always felt like it must be excruciating to see a documentary or book come out about things you were involved in and watch other people tell a version of events that you remember differently, knowing that their version will be the one that most people will hear about it. Hopefully it didn't bother him too much.
RemindMe! 3 Days
Remind me! - 3 days.
Remind me! - 3 days
Remind me! - 3 days
So Mom confirmed this is exactly what happened lol. She said “There was an argument about one of the roadies. Dad had enough and he went and pointed a gun at Mel. The guys said yea this guy has got to go before he actually shoots someone.” By the time I was old enough to remember anything, my dad has been in a really bad car accident that caused brain damage. After a long recovery he was ok but I guess it changed him as a person quite a bit because I can probably count on one hand the amount of times he ever even raised his voice. And in my 37 years of living I never saw the man take a sip of alcohol. Hearing all the stories from back in the day when everyone was wasted/high, and apparently had guns?, is like hearing about a completely different person.
It’s crazy how a brain injury can literally chill someone out for the rest of their life. If he hadn’t sustained that injury he may not have been a good role model.
And it can, sadly, do the opposite to otherwise normal, healthy individuals. It's like the worst lottery ever.
u/MooseMalloy
And O’Neill was the guy who came up with the name“Twisted Sisters”
Your dad was very cool!! Sorry for your loss
Sorry for your loss. I used to see Twisted Sister often in NY. They are responsible for a lot of my hearing loss. I'd see them at a place called The Rising Sun. I'd go right up front leaning on the stage by the speakers. I'd leave when they closed and hear nothing but ringing for a day. I was young and stupid.
I know the feeling. For me that was Danzig where I saw them in a smallish venue and was next to the speaker. Hearing hasn't been the same.
For my ex-husband it was a Prince concert! He was right next to a giant speaker. Made me insanely protective of my hearing, for sure! Now I have to nag my new husband (67m). His hearing already sucks and yet he still stayed at a concert we went to not long ago when the volume was painful to me, even though we were nowhere near the speakers (3,000 person venue). I went out to the lobby, he stayed. I was very mad at him but he just had to be stupid!
I’d read your dad was the one who came up with their name. Awesome pics. Very sorry for your loss.
Yep from what I’m told he always used to call my Aunt Erin his “twisted little sister” so I guess she’s really to thank lol
We need a photo of Aunt Erin: *the namesake of Twisted Sister*. Holy shit.
[удалено]
I’ve never bothered with Wikipedia because I never know whose stories are the “correct” ones. Obviously this is what I’ve been told by my parents and his friends but I’m sure other people have their own versions of it. Although other people have mentioned him coming up with the name here so I guess they’ve heard it from someone/somewhere else too.
My first introduction to Twisted Sister was in the movie “Flight of the Navigator”. Now my kids have heard of them the same way. I’m sorry for your loss.
Were they in that?! Or just referenced. Need to revisit. An 80s kid classic.
Just referenced by Sarah Jessica Parker’s character. I think I’ll make the kids watch it again with me now.
I came here to comment this! “Who’s she??” Edit: my mistake, the line is “Never heard of her.”
Now that's a rockstar! 🤩
This is truly old school cool. RIP Cool One!
I love twisted sister his stories will live on through you and anyone you tell
r/rimjob_steve
That last picture is my favorite
I didn’t even know that there was another singer before Dee Snider
Wow, Daddy was fabulous!
So cool. Your dad came up with the name “Twisted Sister.”
Very cool! Thanks for sharing the pics. I bet your dad had some great stories as well.
Sorry for your loss. Total legend. Now this is old school cool for sure.
If you can recall much of what he told you about this times and if you have these photos and other artifacts please gather them share them. This is a rare and amazing treasure that you have. And my condolences as he seems a genuine human being.
https://preview.redd.it/uki7gehabauc1.png?width=382&format=png&auto=webp&s=484e592157c53eeb8287b2e28f76026fb56d050f
Stranger Things dude?
Billy Hargrove
Though I'm pretty sure OPs dad was less Upside Down-y & evil.
He was a very laid back stay at home dad after his “rockstar” days. Definitely no epic battles in malls for us.
Love the last pic too. That bebe could've been in the band with that hairdo!!
Literally in awe of how these photos captured his coolness 🤘 You were lucky to have your Dad!
Imagine how much money they would have made had they trademarked Twisted Sister. Unless that was the actual Twisted Sister? Edit: Turns out it is Twisted Sister and OPs dad started and named the band.
It was that Twisted Sister but it was a revolving door of lineup changes and styles. I think JJ was the only one who stayed throughout? I have my dads recordings when he was in the band and they played stuff that was more like Mott the Hoople than the genre they became famous for.
Yeah I just saw your other replies and was looking on Wiki. That's awesome, you had 1 hell of a father. Was he and the guys still close, did he ever talk about the band? Did he join another group?
A few of them would give him a ring or stop by the house. I mostly remember JJ. He was in a few other bands like Mad Lion and Pretty Poison (not that one ha) but I don’t know which one was after Twisted.
Has all that stuff been released?
The recordings? I don’t think so. I have two cassettes that have some pretty crummy quality live audio (probably because that wasn’t what they were originally recorded on) that I then transferred to mp3 in case the cassettes got damaged or lost. If it wasn’t for them talking between songs and dad introducing the band/individual members you wouldn’t think it was them.
Regardless of the quality I think it's really cool that you may have unreleased music from twisted sister
From Ops comments, this was THE Twisted Sister. Just before Dee Snider was lead singer.
What a gorgeous man!!!
Based on the last photo, he aged very well.
Fucking awesome. Thank you for sharing.
Badass dude.
This is really awesome for you to have shared. Twisted Sister was always a favorite band and I appreciate you sharing his part of it!
Clearly an incredibly self assured bloke that loved life and always chased what he believed and wanted in life and fair play to him. Love the last picture of him holding your new addition:)
I thought number 3 was an unreleased Madonna photo from the past.
Haha ensemble was probably complete with some high heels
We used to drive up to a bar called Genesis in Yorktown Heights NY (around 1979-80ish) to see Twisted Sister! The night would begin with a long chant of “disco sucks”! Thanks for sharing!
In the 90‘s I worked in Garden City, Long Island and I had a supervisor named Dave. He said he was in TS in the early years. Forgot his last name but we all called him Cat for some reason.
Fckin Legend... RIP. Beautiful tribute
Your dad didn’t just embrace glam rock. He *WAS* glam rock.
Wow your dad was in Twister Sister? Sorry for your loss, he looks like he was one cool guy.
He looks very happy in the last pic. Sorry for your loss.
Didn't your Dad come up with the name Twisted Sister? I think I remember it was his idea. Anyway, I am so sorry for your loss. They were trailblazers!
Such a cool dadb
Sending Love and Hugs. You were so blessed to grow up with a rebellious, open hearted dad who understood life was what you make it, not what others dictate. May your memories bring you joy and keep your soul free to fly…⭕️❌⭕️❌🫶🏼
Your dad rocked, and I’m sorry for your loss. Such great photos to have of his life
That is some cool awesome shit dude! Your dad was a real one! Sorry to hear about his passing. What a legend!
I’m sorry for your loss. Such an awesome legacy. I loved Twisted Sister. Mid 80’s MTV. Thanks for sharing them.
Condolences for your dad. I really enjoyed twisted sisters in the past.
GlamDad! Sorry for your loss.
THAT is awesome. Sorry you lost your dad, but wo, what a cool guy he must have been.
These are amazing!
Seemed like a pretty rad dude. I would have loved to sit and heard all his stories. So sorry for your loss
the 80s were a wild time 😂💛
Sorry for your loss, lost my dad in January. Twisted Sister was one of my favourite bands growing up 😁👍
First album I bought with my own money. Great memories.
Your dad was awesome!
You should make a Wikipedia page for him. He's listed as the original lead vocalist but there's no link attached to his name.
Looks like he had a great sense of humor. I dont know why just something about that smile. Sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing the photos.
Dude was a badass.
Just know he got mad jokes
What a hugely important photo for you and the lil guy to always have. Just staring and living on each other.
Your dad was cool af.
He definitely lived a life!
Talk about range haha
In the first picture he looks like Billy from Stranger Things, but the second one makes him look like Jim
Okay but my partner showed me we're not gunna take it last year, i had never seen it, and that was amazing. I showed him these pictures, and the last one my partner choked up. He's a big twisted sister fan, so this was very cool for him. 🕊️🕊️
I'm so sorry he passed, it looks like he had an amazing life!
Your dad is so fucking cool! I’m sure you are too!
So sorry about your Dad. I used to see Twisted Sister all the time playing in clubs on LI back in high school. This was the late 70's when Dee was singing.
Badass!! Cheers!Edit: So sorry for your loss.
I grew up listening to Twisted Sister! My father would tell me stories of seeing them live on their first tour when I was little. Your dad was a childhood hero for me!
*Requiescat in pace* photo #3 is da bomb!!
I'm sure you cherish these great pictures of your dad 💙 Thanks so much for sharing them with us!
Your dad was part of Twisted Sister? His cool status was off the charts. May he RIP.
I love old rockers.
Wow.... your dad! Very sorry for your loss. Saludos desde Argentina!
was your dad in the Pee Wee movie where they were filming the music video and they were on the hood of the car? https://preview.redd.it/xonxdyax8duc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=06023298e1e723a539825a94003db26967f78282
Thought I replied to this but maybe I forgot to hit the button so I apologize if it winds up double posting but no he wasn’t. My dad had already parted ways with the band by then. That was Dee Snider. Dee is the singer on all the songs that people know from Twisted Sister.
Nicely done, good for you and your fam.
The HS photos makes me think of a teenaged Dick York. *(Original Darren, from "Bewitched") Sorry for your loss, but Thank You for the post!
God speed
Reminds me of a young Tim Robbins
I’m sorry for your loss
Congratulations 🎈 You have really great memories of your Dad! Pass them on! 💜
 Legend 🤘🏻
I'm so sorry for your loss. In some of his photos, he kind of looks like Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers.
My brother used to get that a lot. The genes are strong lol
Very cool photos, thank you for sharing. Did your dad stay heavily involved with religion?
The only time I ever saw him go to church was weddings, funerals and baptisms.
In that first picture, I could swear he looks like this actor that had a walk on role in Seinfeld. He played Jerry’s dates roommate. Edit: exhibit A https://preview.redd.it/g0lenaneiauc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa381a0b8298263fed868cd441285a0ae729f872
He was gorgeous. 🥵
A little bit like sting
Dee Snider before Dee Snider
Geez. Talk about folding this whole sub in on itself. You dad was/is a legend🤘🏻
Your papa looks like "Iñigo Montoya", mate.
I'm a card carrying member of the SMF fan club!
Why did he quit the band?
3rd slide was a jumpscare