80s Hair Metal Documentary Series Set For Release

A new three-part documentary series titled I Wanna Rock: The ’80s Metal Dream is set to premiere on the streaming platform Paramount+ in July. The series delves into the fascinating world of the 1980s hair metal scene, promising to reveal captivating stories from that era.

The show focuses on the early years of renowned bands like Skid Row, Winger, Twisted Sister, Vixen, and The Scream. Produced in collaboration with MTV Entertainment Studios and Gunpowder & Sky, the series is directed by Tyler Measom, known for his work on the 2019 documentary I Want My MTV, which chronicled the history of the pioneering music TV network.

The description accompanying the show’s trailer states:

“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.”

Featuring interviews with iconic figures like Dee Snider from Twisted Sister, Kip Winger of Winger, Janet Gardner from Vixen, Skid Row’s founder Dave ‘The Snake’ Sabo, former Mötley Crüe frontman John Corabi, and former Guns N’ Roses manager Vicky Hamilton, the series promises a mix of emotional and kick-ass moments.

I Wanna Rock: The ’80s Metal Dream is divided into three episodes: I Wanna Be Somebody, which explores the early days of the bands’ careers; Headed For Heartbreak, delving into the struggles they faced; and Smells Like Change, investigating the impact of grunge on the hair metal scene.

The show’s North American premiere is on July 18, while viewers in the U.K. and Australia can catch it on July 19.