The legendary American band Twisted Sister has reached an agreement with Warner Music Group to sell the remaining rights to its recordings, trademarks, and use of its name and image. This information was reported by Forbes .
Guitarist Jay Jay French , who also acted as the group's manager for decades, explained that the decision stemmed from a combination of factors, including the advanced age of the members and the lack of interest from their children in continuing with the band's business dealings. The band members finalized the agreement with the record label in September 2024.
Dee Snider had already sold his catalog in 2015
Lead singer Dee Snider had already transferred the rights to 69 songs, including the hits "We're Not Gonna Take It" and " I Wanna Rock ," to Universal Music Publishing Group almost ten years earlier. These tracks became constant presences in films, series, commercials, and even the musical Rock of Ages .
During a 2023 interview on the New Theory , Snider commented that practical issues led him to sell the copyrights in 2015: the high royalty tax compared to the reduced capital gains tax. "When you put the numbers on the table, it makes sense. I used the proceeds to secure my retirement," he explained.
Snider also highlighted the cultural impact of " We're Not Gonna Take It " which, according to him, went from being just an '80s song to becoming a kind of modern popular anthem. The track was even featured in Steven Spielberg 's Ready Player One , solidifying its place in the American collective imagination.
Over the years, " We're Not Gonna Take It " has been widely licensed for advertising campaigns by companies such as Walmart , Claritin , Stanley Steemer , and even contraceptives, proving its enduring appeal in diverse contexts.
Originally released in April 1984, the single reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the band's biggest commercial success, helping the album Stay Hungry solidify Twisted Sister as one of the most iconic bands of 1980s hard rock.
Despite the end of the group's regular activities, Twisted Sister's legacy remains strong — now under the umbrella of one of the world's largest record labels.
READ ALSO : Twisted Sister's Dee Snider criticizes the new Kiss reunion: "Insulting"
