Growing up in South Philadelphia to two working parents, my sister and I were often left to our own devices. In between cooking Oodles of Noodles or sauteing Mrs. T’s pierogies we were hanging out at my sometimes babysitter Kathy’s house. The importance of me mentioning this is because Kathy was into metal. Mostly hair metal but metal nonetheless. I envied her as only a pre-teen could. She was tall and thin with beautiful with long hair; She wore faded concert tees with tiny cut-off denim shorts, and shoe polished black Reebok freestyle hi-tops.
She was sooo cool and for the most part let us do anything we wanted. One of my fondest memories is us listening to hair metal (probably Slaughter or Winger) and jumping off of her brother’s loft bed into a huge pile of laundry. Why did we do this? BECAUSE WE WERE HIGH ON THE FUCKING MUSIC MAN!!! I also remember watching hours of Head Banger’s Ball and liking that Skid Row video (and song) 18 and Life, a lot. I’m so grateful for Kathy and the appreciation for hair metal that still burns inside of me. I love when I’m out with a friend and they squint “Aww man, what is this song?” and I answer nonchalantly “Oh this? Quiet Riot: Cum on Feel the Noize. Best song ever.” or I say with a scowl “Really? You don’t recognize the majestic whistling that opens Scorpion’s Winds of Change?”. Everyone in this film is an enigma and rock and roll is here to stay. (Puts up sign of the horns)
True Story: I saw New York legend Andy Kessler at the Brooklyn banks a while back and mistakenly thought he was Ricky Racthman from Headbangers Ball. My boyfriend just laughed. R.I.P. Ripper.
