(Hollywood Press Corps) The Metal Hall of Fame’s annual gala was at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. Host, Eddie Trunk, emceed the event and walked the red carpet before the show. There were hundreds of fans who came to see the event. One couple taking photos on their iPhones came all the way from Fort Worth, Texas just to see the show. There were also people who came all the way from the United Kingdom! Metal Hall founder, Pat Gesualdo posed for photos outside the event. This event was totally sold out and standing room only. The red carpet had so many iconic people from the world of Metal. Inductee Chris Impellitteri took photos out front and played a cool three song set on stage including the hit, “Balls to the Wall.”
From left to right: Ahmet Zappa, Oni Logan, Wendy Dio, Rudy Sarzo and Doug Aldrich. Photo by Alex Kluft
The heavy metal band, Raven, was goofing around the red carpet and being vey Spinal Tap like. On stage, they showed off their amazing chops with killer vocals and shredding guitar. The Gallagher brothers are Metal icons and a lot of fun to watch. Dee Snyder said that years ago, metal bands like Metallica would open for Raven. Dee said that it was a real honor to get to see Raven play.
The Gallagher brothers from Raven. Photo by Ellen Zuckerman for the Hollywood Press Corps 2023
Mark Gallagher from Raven. Photo by Ellen Zuckerman 2023
John Gallagher from Raven photo by Ellen Zuckerman
Dee Snider from Twisted Sister. Photo by Ellen Zuckerman
Dee Snider and Twisted Sister ~ holy crap! Dee Snider just blew everyone away. Watching Dee front Twisted Sister is an amazing experience. Dee gave everything in just three songs. He’s so gracious as a frontman. He includes the fans and is a songwriter who really thinks about the words he sings. At one point, Dee made a comment to an eager fan in the front row who was filming with his iPhone. He said, put the phone down and stop posting for a second! It was all in good fun and everyone in the joint was on their feet cheering on Twisted Sister. There was a rumour going around that this is Twisted Sister’s last performance but I seriously doubt it. Bass player Mark Mendoza played down thick amazing bass licks.
Jay Jay French ~ Metal Hall of Fame Inductee from Twisted Sister. Photo by Ellen Zuckerman
Jay Jay French, guitar player for Twisted Sister told a funny story. He said that back in the beginning of Twisted Sister, they were on tour in England and this one kid would show up at every show. He said the kid was really annoying. On one stop of the tour, nobody showed up! And right before they were going to start playing in an empty concert hall, in walks that kid and boy we’re they glad to see him. Then, after the show, he overheard the T-shirt guy selling the kid a t-shirt and the t-shirt guy didn’t even know who the band was. So the kid told him ~ it’s Twisted Fucking Sister!!! The whole place started cheering. Dee then took over and said ~ That’s why I don’t let Jay Jay say anything! Everybody laughed. Dee then brought out the heavy armour with We’re Not Gonna Take It and blew the roof off the place. Everybody was ready to keep going for an hour or two! Really was an incredible performance.
Dee Snider ~ Photo by Ellen Zuckerman
Twister Sister ~ Dee Snider and Mark “the Animal” Mendoza on bass. Photos by Ellen Zuckerman for the Hollywood Press Corps 2023
Adam and the Metal Hawks did an amazing three song set that was a blend of Zeppelin meets AC/DC. Lots of potential and sounded great.
Adam Ezegelian from AMH. Photo by Ellen Zuckerman
AMH Photo by Ellen Zuckerman
Ryan Daversa ~ Bass player for AMH (Adam and the Metal Hawks). The future of Metal. Photo by Ellen Zuckerman
John Barry guitarist for Adam and the Metal Hawks. Photo by Ellen Zuckerman
AMH ~ Adam and the Metal Hawks. Photos by Ellen Zuckerman for the Hollywood Press Corps 2023
The next and final act was Doug Aldrich (Dead Daises) with Keith St John, Rudy Sarzo and Joe Torres. Lots of fun with that classic metal sound.
Doug Aldrich from Dead Daises. Photo by Alex Kluft
Rudy Sarzo from Quiet Riot and Ozzy. Photo by Alex Kluft
Excellent host Eddie Trunk. Photo by Alex Kluft
Inductee Chris Impellitteri. Photo by Alex Kluft
Lou Gramm from Foreigner on the red carpet. Photo by Alex Kluft
Lou Gramm from Foreigner gave a touching thank you speech. He told a funny story about shooting pool with John Lennon and Phil Spector in New York City at the Recording Factory when John Lennon was recording his oldies record.
Twisted Sister ~ Photo by Alex Kluft
Twisted Sister ~ Photo by Alex Kluft
John Gallagher from Raven. Photo by Alex Kluft
Mark Gallagher from Raven ~ Photo by Alex Kluft
Stunt guitar master Steve Vai speaking at the ceremony. Photo by Alex Kluft
Raven ~ Photo by Alex Kluft
Adam Ezegelian from Adam and the Metal Hawks. Photo by Alex Kluft
Guitarist for AMH Johnny Barry. Photo by Alex Kluft
The Hollywood Press Corps looks forward to future Metal Hall of Fame Events.
(HOLLYWOOD PRESS CORPS) LOS ANGELES, C.A. ~ The Metal Hall of Fame today announced the induction of 4 Hard Rock and Heavy Metal legends into the Metal Hall of Fame: Twisted Sister, Lou Gramm, Chris Impellitteri, and Raven. Celebrated guitarist Steve Vai (Whitesnake /David Lee Roth) and legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, (Winery Dogs) will induct Twisted Sister.
Steve Vai ~ Photo by Alex Kluft
The event will include numerous performances, surprise artist appearances, a Meet & Greet, and All Star Jams. It will be hosted by radio/television music Icon Eddie Trunk, with entertainment personality Cathy Rankin. The 6th Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala, “The most important night in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal“will take place January 26, 2023, at the Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, C.A.
“The 6th Annual Metal Hall of Fame Charity Gala is going to be an amazing event as always,” says Metal Hall of Fame CEO Pat Gesualdo. “There will be numerous Legendary Hard Rock and Heavy Metal artist Inductions, and many exciting surprises and performances!!”
“Twisted Sister is honored to be recognized by the Metal Hall of Fame and have our names alongside many of our peers,” says Jay Jay French. The 6th Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala is presented by ROCAVAKA – The Vaka That Rocks!
The Metal Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that enshrines forever, those Iconic musicians, artists, music industry executives who are responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they keep inspiring fans throughout the world, from generation to generation.
The Annual Metal Hall of Fame Charity Gala has included many historical hard rock and heavy metal moments. Like when Metallica inducted Megaforce Records founders Jon and Marsha Zazula. Inducting Judas Priest at Wacken Open Air. Inducting members of KISS, Iron Maiden, and Triumph among others for our 5 Year Anniversary Bash. Having Don Airey’s surprise Induction for Black Sabbath cofounding member Bill Ward, (especially after not seeing each other since recording Black Sabbath’s 1978 “Never Say Day” album). Inducting Anthrax at Heavy Montreal. Having Kathy and KelleRhoads Induct their brother Randy Rhoads. HavingSlayer’s Kerri King’s surprise Induction for Brian Slagel and Metal Blade Record’s 35th Anniversary. Having Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Geoff Tate, Chris Poland, and Bjorn Englen perform in the most historic metal performance of all time. Having Paul Stanley Induct Doc McGhee. Having Brian May of Queen Induct Joe Satriani. These are just some of the Legendary memories that we are honored to have shared with Rock and Heavy Metal fans throughout the world.
Sebastian Bach ~ Photo by Alex Kluft
100% of the proceeds from our events goes to helping preserve Hard Rock and Heavy Metal for future generations, and our events also bring free music programs to help special needs children in hospitals and community centers. For more information, please contact 973-263-0420.
The event will be hosted will be radio/television music Icon Eddie Trunk and co-hosted by entertainment personality Cathy Rankin. Celebrated guitarist Steve Vai (Whitesnake /David Lee Roth) and legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, will induct Twisted Sister.
Lou Gramm ~ Photo by Alex Kluft
Former Black Sabbath/Ronnie James Dio drummer Vinny Appice will also have the world debut of his new band “Scream Taker,” at the event, which features Jim Crean (Appice Brothers), and Tony Franklin (Jimmy Page, David Gilmour).
The Metal Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that enshrines forever, those Iconic musicians, artists, music industry executives who are responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today.
The list of new inductees include:
Twisted Sister – Legendary band Twisted Sister have been at the forefront of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal for several decades. Both of their Albums “Under The Blade” and “You Can’t Kill Rock ‘n’ Roll” created huge underground attention, leading them to mainstream success. Over the last 30 years, their hit songs “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “l Wanna Rock,” are considered to be two of the most influential videos in the history of Heavy Metal and MTV, and are the most licensed anthems in the history of Heavy Metal.
Twisted Sister
Lou Gramm –One of the biggest selling Hard Rock artists of all time. His hits with the band “Foreigner” include:”Feels Like The First Time” (Billboard #4, Hot 100) “Cold as Ice” (Billboard #6, Hot 100), “Double Vision” (Billboard #2, Hot 100),”Hot Blooded” (Billboard #3, Hot 100), “Urgent” (Billboard #1 Rock, #4 Hot 100), “Head Games” (Billboard #14, Hot 100), “Juke Box Hero” (Billboard #3, Mainstream, #26, Hot 100).
Chris Impellitteri – Guitar World and Guitar One magazines officially named Renowned guitarist Chris Impellitteri one of the fastest guitarists of all time. The 1988 Impellitteri Album “Stand In Line” charted on Billboard’s Top 100 for over 5 months. The namesake video of the song was often played on MTV and VH-I. Chris won Burn! Magazine’s Readers Poll Award for “Best Rock Guitarist,” in 1996. He was also a member of “Animetal USA,” where their Album peaked at #18 on Japan’s Oricon weekly album chart, and remained there for nine weeks. Chris Impellitteri was also a host on MTV’S Headbangers Ball
RAVEN – One of the seminal forces in the creation of speed/thrash metal. Many major artists such as Metallicaand Anthrax, launched their careers as their opening act. Raven had an MTV hit with “On and On.” They were recently Metallica’s special guests for their tribute concert for Late Megaforce Records founders and Metal Hall of Fame Inductees Jon and Marsha Zazula, at the Hard Rock, in Ft. Lauderdale. Raven still keep up a gruellingworldwide touring schedule.
SEBASTIAN BACH – Sebastian Bach quickly became an Iconic Hard Rock / Heavy Metal vocalist with Skid Row. His first album titled ‘Skid Row’ was certified 5xPlatinum by the RIAA. His major hits include “l Remember You” (#6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, #23 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart), “18 and Life” (#4 on the Billboard Hot chart, #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart), and “Youth Gone Wild” (#27 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart). His second album “Slave to the Grind” is the first Heavy Metal album to hit #1 on the Billboard 200 chart in the Nielsen SoundScan era, and was certified 2X Platinum by the RIAA. The album featured the songs “Wasted Time,” “Slave to the Grind,” “In a Darkend Room,” and “Monkey Business. Sebastian also made his Broadway debut in the “Rocky Horror Show,” and “Jekyll & Hyde.”Additionally, he performed in the touring version of the hit show “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Sebastion starred in the VH-I series “Supergroup” with Ted Nugent, Metal Hall of Fame Inductee Scott Ian, Jason Bonham, and Evan Seinfeld, and was the winner of the CMT reality show “Gone Country.”
The Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala has included some of the most important events in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal history. For example, having Metallica induct MegaforceRecords founders Jon and Marsha Zazula. Having Brian May of Queen induct Joe Satriani, Having Paul Stanleyof Kissinduct manager Doc McGhee. Inducting Judas Priest in front of 80,000 fans at Wacken Open Air. Inducting members of Iron Maiden, and Triumph. Inducting Black Sabbath co-founding drummer Bill Ward. Inducting Anthraxin front of 40,000 fans at Heavy Montreal. Inducting guitar Icon Randy Rhoads. Having Slayer’sKerri King’s surprise Induction for Metal Blade Record’s 35th Anniversary. Having Steve Vai, (Whitesnake, David Lee Roth), Joe Satriani (Deep Purple), Geoff Tate (Formerly Queensryche) and Chris Poland (Formerly Megadeth) join in one of the most historic metal performance of all time. These are just some of the Legendary moments that the Metal Hall of Fame has shared with Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans throughout the world.
Sponsors for the 6TH Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gale include Drums and Disabilities, andROCAVAKA – The VakaThat Rocks!
