Honestly: My Life and Stryper Revealed

by Michael Sweet

  I’m so different personality-wise than my band mates. I regularly feel like I’m struggling to further the band, only to take two steps backward because of an opinion or statement made by one of my band mates. It’s a huge burden to carry the torch known as Stryper, yet seemingly no one fully understands how difficult it can be. The songs don’t just write themselves. The business team that surrounds us doesn’t just show up at our doorstep. The career-making decisions have a profound effect on our livelihood. Often when I try to move us forward, it’s as though I can feel a force within the band pulling us backward.

  We all have a full understanding and appreciation for Stryper and what it has accomplished over the years. I just don’t think that we necessarily like each other at times. We love each other. We just don’t always like each other.

  “So why not just quit?” you may ask. “You’ve done it before. What’s stopping you?”

  You’d make a great point if you were to ask me that question, and I’m afraid I’d fall short in coming up with a reasonable answer that would be easily understood by the masses. It’s hard for me to understand completely, so I certainly don’t expect anyone else to comprehend it.

  It’s not as if I don’t want to make music or serve God with all my heart. I do. I just wish at times that I could do it without having to rely exclusively on Stryper.

  I love writing songs. I love producing records. The studio excites me and truthfully, I love performing.

  What I don’t like is the proverbial monkey that sits on my back because I’m the bandleader. The logical question might be “Why not let one of the other guys lead the band?” And again, that is a fair question. Truth is, I don’t completely trust anyone else to lead the band. It’s not that I think they’re dishonest or malicious because they’re not at all. It’s just that I don’t trust their production and or business decisions to be in the best interest of the band. So I’d rather carry the weight and make most of the decisions myself.

  In a professional band there are seemingly countless decisions that need to be made on a daily basis. Interview requests. Show opportunities. Licensing and recording decisions. Accounting and travel details. And yes, we have a team to work with us on all of these points, but ultimately the decisions come down to the band—and since there are so many of them to be made on a daily basis, one person has to be the leader, the visionary, the decision maker. And that person is me.

  Playing in Boston was incredible for two reasons. First, it was Boston—the influential rock band of my youth. Second, and probably more the reason why I enjoyed it: I didn’t make any of the decisions. I showed up and played music to the best of my ability. As long as I showed up on time, well rehearsed and did my job, life was good. That’s a feeling I have never really felt before, and I liked it.

  Yet in Stryper, I often feel such a burdensome responsibility. I feel responsible for so many things—keeping the band active and progressing forward, keeping the band’s professionalism intact, maintaining the financial state of each band member, taking God’s message to as many people as possible, and pleasing the fans who have supported us all these years and not disappointing them by leaving or discontinuing the band.

  As I touched on earlier, I stick around partially because it’s my livelihood. This is my chosen profession. It’s not as if I can go back to law school and become an attorney. Bottom line, I’m a musician. So to support my family in a responsible manner, I rely on music. Right now, Stryper affords me the best opportunity to do that. I’m definitely not getting rich playing in Stryper. I make a living. It’s not a great living, but it’s a modest living.

  I’m responsible for bringing home a portion of the bacon (Lisa brings home a lot of bacon, too) and without Stryper, there’d be less bacon.

  That’s probably part of the problem. I feel trapped at times. I can’t really leave Stryper because it allows me the ability to put food on my family’s table.

  So I feel somewhat caged at times with no way out.

  And then, just when I least expect it, I wake up the next day with a fire, fervor, and love for my band unlike anything in my life. I wake up proud of Stryper, and I want to give it my all. And for a while I do. Then something happens—an argument with Oz, a complaint from Tim, a pity party for Robert, or some skeleton from my past rears its ugly head and decides to haunt me, often in regard to bad business dealings we made back in the ’80s. And I’m trapped again.

  It’s a never-ending cycle, and the cycle itself wears me out. Some days I think “I’m too old for this. Isn’t the point of life to just be happy? I should quit if I’m not happy.” Other days I’m on fire for Stryper, wanting to pull the team together again and conquer the world.

  And then I look at my life and realize that if I want to be responsible for my family, I need to learn to let go of the things that bother me. So I do, for a while. That is, until those same things are knocking on my door again.

  I love Stryper and everything we have accomplished. I love my band mates. I love Stryper fans. Honestly, I’m so blessed to be able to do what I love for a living, and here’s hoping and praying I’ll have the opportunity to keep making music and touching lives moving forward.

  ENDORSEMENTS:

  “Sometimes you see someone or something and you think you’ve got it all figured out, just to find you were pretty far off base. That’s a sucky feeling. I learned a long time ago not to judge a book by its cover, and as much as I used to think that I am nothing like Michael Sweet, I have come to realize that we both have had a lot of hardships in common; the same trials and tribulations, the same band problems, and some of the same relationship issues. Fortunately for us, we both believe in the same Jesus, and serve the same amazing, loving creator, so it’s no wonder that we would both be standing on the same victorious side of life, once all the smoke clears at the end of the fight. I hope you will enjoy his memoirs and come to a new understanding and a new appreciation of Michael Sweet.”

  ~Dave Mustaine, Megadeth founding guitarist/vocalist

  “I've always felt Stryper was one of the more talented bands to come out of the ’80s hard rock scene. I’ll never forget being blown away by the band the first time I saw them, and I was equally amazed at what great players and singers they still are, when I saw them recently. Michael Sweet remains one of the most powerful vocalists in rock!”

  ~Eddie Trunk, radio personality and music historian

  “Michael Sweet is a pioneer, a virtuoso, a musical genius, a rebel, a hero, an inspiration, a peer and a friend. He's a man who stood up for what he believed in and was idolized by some, but persecuted by many others as a result. His story is amazing, interesting, unforgettable and completely unique.”

  ~Chris Jericho, professional wrestler and musician

  “The first time I saw Stryper was on the Soldiers Under Command Tour. They opened with "Battle Hymn of the Republic" as a crucifix in lights lowered behind the band. A stranger gave me my first shot of whiskey and I got hit in the head with a Bible. Needless to say, I was hooked! I went home and put their poster up on my wall right next to Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast.” They were the band that made me realize how much more powerful the Message of God is than the force of the devil. All and all, their music has always made me feel warm inside. Like a yellow-and-black teddy bear.”

  ~Jeordie White (aka Twiggy Ramirez), Marilyn Manson bassist

  “I've been a Michael Sweet fan and fanatic of Stryper ever since I popped the album Yellow and Black attack in my tape player and cranked the song ‘C'mon Rock’ sitting in the parking lot of Baptist University of America in Ga. Not only did they sound amazing but the words Michael sang were powerfully true. A great underrated American metal band that in my humble opinion rocked just as good as Maiden. If you never heard Stryper then you’re a communist! I hope y'all buy this book Mike wrote because I'm gonna take 15 percent of it for all the free press I've givin’ him throughout the years! In this world of entertainment you need good solid Christian frie
nds to look up to and admire, and I'm proud to say Mike is that for me. Git-r-done and long live Stryper!”

  ~Dan “Larry The Cable Guy” Whitney

  Michael Sweet - I’m Not Your Suicide (2014)

  Thank you for spending some time reading my story. I wrote a song called “How to Live” for my wife Lisa, and I sang it at our wedding. I wanted to make it available as a gift to you—a thank you—for reading my book. God bless you ~M

  Download for free, “How to Live”

  from the Michael Sweet album I’m Not Your Suicide.

  www.DSEMusicGroup.com/howtolive

  As a young lad and sporting the stripes, even then!

  At a carnival with Nana and looking mad as, well you know . . .

  With Nana, Mom, Dad, Robert and Lisa on Beverley Blvd., Whittier.

  Early signs of ADHD?

  My first guitar at 5 years old. Let the games begin!

  Performing at our first talent show. I played my dad’s Fender Jazz bass and it was twice my size. We won 1st place, maybe that’s why.

  Apparently I was watching too many episodes of The Partridge Family

  at this stage of my life . . .

  Singing with the church choir. Dad is leading, Robert (5th from the left), Lisa (far right) and me (far left) singing along. Notice the “In God We Trust” above our heads!

  My first taste of Rock and Roll. Dressing up like Paul Stanley of

  KISS, minus the hairy chest.

  Rehearsing with Dad, Robert and Lou Martin. My dad and Lou were the first two guys who taught me how to play guitar.

  The band Roxx. Eric, Richard (Odie), Robert and me

  with a sun tan and Sun-In . . .

  Performing at the infamous Gazzarri’s at the ripe old age of 16.

  Getting my David Lee Roth on . . .

  What? Stripes before Stryper?? Early Roxx Regime with Scott Lane, Robert, John Vorhees and me.

  Stryper’s first official tour. The good old days . . .

  The gang’s all here! With Mom, Daryn, Tom Bruno, Kevin Dugan,

  Wes Hein and Bill Hein of Enigma Records.

  Kyle and I eloping and getting married in Palos Verdes in 1986. Gotta love the 80’s, blue satin suits and all.

  Proud Papa. It’s a boy!

  Bonding with my son, Mikey Jr.

  Receiving our first certified platinum award for “To Hell With The Devil”. Wes and Bill were the presenters.

  Recording “Time Is Ticking Away” with DC Talk.

  The Against The Law sessions, 1990.

  Holding baby Lena. Daddy’s little girl . . .

  Stepping out on my own as a solo artist. With Doug Beiden, Gregg Fulkerson and my manager at the time, Rendy Lovelady.

  The first solo photo shoot, 1994.

  Harvesting cranberries at Maple Park, during my “down time” from music.

  Shooting the VH1 Where Are They Now Stryper at Maple Park, Wareham, MA.

  Entering the music world again in 2000. Mixing “Truth” at A&M with Bob Marlette.

  The last family photo before Kyle was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

  Touring with Boston in 2008. Tom and I on stage (notice Tom’s smile).

  I’d say he was either very happy or laughing at my rock moves . . .

  Kyle and I in Las Vegas for the “Touched” photo shoot, not long before she passed.

  My friend and spiritual mentor, Michael Guido.

  Not long after Lisa and I started dating. I don’t think we planned to “match”, but we always did.

  The day Lisa and I heard “Amazed” in Nashville, with Elvis.

  Lisa and I getting married on Jan. 8, 2010, in Boston, MA.

  Daryn Hinton and me. She invested in us when no one else would.

  Thank you Daryn!

  My manager and friend, Dave Rose with Melanie,

  Lisa and Bill Ray Sweet.

  Finally meeting one of my biggest influences, Dave Meniketti!

  The 4 Tenors—My buddies Tony Harnell, Jeff Scott Soto, Todd La Torre and me. Who knows, maybe someday we’ll make a metal opera record?

  Lisa and I with the one and only Eddie Trunk.

  Thank you Eddie for the constant support!

  My friend and doppelganger, Dave Amato of REO Speedwagon.

  I’m still waiting for a challenge to get in the ring with this guy,

  Mr. Chris Jericho. WWF?

  “Get Er’ Done”—Larry is still air-guitaring to Stryper tunes before

  he goes on stage. I’ve got to see this!

  Ringing the closing bell at NYSE with Billy Ray Cyrus. Who’s who?

  Lisa and I recently in Boston. Thank you Lisa for all you do—I love you . . .

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  DEDICATION

  FORWORD

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY-FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  TWENTY-SIX

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  TWENTY-NINE

  THIRTY

  THIRTY-ONE

  THIRTY-TWO

  THIRTY-THREE

  THIRTY-FOUR

  THIRTY-FIVE

  THIRTY-SIX

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  THIRTY-NINE

  FORTY

  Conclusion

  ENDORSEMENTS:

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  DEDICATION

  FORWORD

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY-FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  TWENTY-SIX

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  TWENTY-NINE

  THIRTY

  THIRTY-ONE

  THIRTY-TWO

  THIRTY-THREE

  THIRTY-FOUR

  THIRTY-FIVE

  THIRTY-SIX

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  THIRTY-NINE

  FORTY

  Conclusion

  ENDORSEMENTS: