Nearly A Band Member
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| http://www.thehawkeye.com/story/BSD-032012
Twisted Sister set to rock the Burlington Steamboat Days' stage
By CRAIG T. NEISES
cneises@thehawkeye.com
Twisted Sister, a quintet of glammed-out, big-haired heavy metal rockers that burned up MTV in the 1980s, will bring its act to the Burlington Steamboat Days main stage this summer.
Led by frontman Dee Snider, the band's original lineup will make Burlington one of just six tour stops in the United States this summer. The U.S. dates were scheduled after a portion of the band's European tour fell through.
And to Scott Smith, BSD's vice president of marketing, Europe's loss is Burlington's gain.
"We're very lucky," Smith said of landing the band, adding patience in booking the last act, combined with a bit of luck, paid off.
Twisted Sister was formed in 1973, but rocketed to stardom in 1984 on the strength of songs like "We're Not Gonna Take It," and "I Wanna Rock" from the triple-platimum-selling album "Stay Hungry," and a heavy metal remake of 1960s standard "Leader of the Pack," on the 1985 follow-up album, "Come Out and Play," videos for which got heavy airtime on MTV. The band quit touring in 1987, and it was 14 years before Snider, Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda on guitar, Mark "The Animal" Mendoza on bass and A.J. Pero on drums performed together again.
In 38 years, the band has sold 12 million records.
The addition of Twisted Sister, which completes the main stage lineup for 2012, means BSD's demographic of classic rock fans will be well-served this year, with Alice Cooper closing things down as the Sunday act.
"It's going to be one heckuva rock-and-roll weekend," Smith said.
With Chevelle headlining Wednesday, BSD offers something for rockers of all ages, Smith said.
In Snider, BSD organizers have made another reality TV connection. Country star Blake Shelton, who will perform Thursday of Steamboat Days, is a judge on NBC's "The Voice." Snider, meanwhile, has appeared NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice."
Fleshing out the 50th anniversary festivals country credentials are Jake Owen on Tuesday night, and Luke Ryan on Friday.
Steamboat Days is June 12 to 17. For more information, visit www.steamboatdays.com.
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