Calling All 80s Rock Music Fans: A New Glam Metal Docuseries Is Heading To Paramount+

1 July 2023 | 10:14 am | Mary Varvaris
Originally Appeared In

'I Wanna Rock: The ‘80s Metal Dream' will premiere on Wednesday, 19 July.

'I Wanna Rock: The ‘80s Metal Dream' poster

'I Wanna Rock: The ‘80s Metal Dream' poster (Source: Supplied)

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Coming to Australian screens via Paramount+ on Wednesday, 19 July, is a new docuseries perfect for those who grew up in the peak of hair and glam metal, called I Wanna Rock: The ‘80s Metal Dream.

The trailer sports Twisted Sister vocalist Dee Snider (with their song I Wanna Rock playing throughout), Skid Row’s Snake Sabo, Vixen’s Janet Gardner, Kip Winger of Winger fame and The Scream’s John Corabi. You can check it out below.

The new three-part docuseries is poised to follow the rise and fall of hair metal, from Twisted Sister becoming household names with their striking music videos to heavy metal acts like Metallica appearing on the scene and effectively crushing glam metal.

A press release says about the series: “Hairspray. Spandex. Leather pants. I Wanna Rock: The ’80s Metal Dream follows five young dreamers chasing stardom in the cutthroat world of 80s metal. Some will succeed, some will fail, but each will make you see an entirely new side of the metal genre.

I Wanna Rock: The ‘80s Metal Dream kicks off with five aspiring rockers embarking on a journey to achieve fame in the world of 80s metal. As we see their careers skyrocket, they battle personal demons, sexism, and even Congress. Meanwhile, from country to grunge, the world’s taste in music is changing, and every metal musician is fighting for survival. Some will make it, some won’t... but all will be changed forever.”

I Wanna Rock was created in partnership with MTV Entertainment Studios and Gunpowder & Sky and directed and produced by Tyler Measom (I Want My MTV, 2019).

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Earlier this year, the OG Twisted Sister reunited and performed together for the first time since 2016 when they were inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame. The group's classic lineup of Snider, guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda, bassist Mark Mendoza, and late drummer A.J Pero received the honour.

In May, Skid Row were forced to postpone their Australian tour after cancelling one show, soldiering on with another, and ultimately deciding they couldn’t handle any more following vocalist Erik Grönwall (ex-H.E.A.T) battling the nasty flu.

“We understand that this is disappointing news, and we share your frustration,” the band wrote. “This decision is not an easy one. Please know that we are already working swiftly to reschedule these dates as soon as possible. Our management and promoters are actively exploring options, and we will keep you updated on any developments regarding the rescheduled dates.”

The New Jersey rockers are behind some of the most successful rock hits of 1989 and 1991, with their self-titled album and Slave To The Grind providing the hits 18 And Life, I Remember You, Youth Gone Wild and Monkey Business.