Twisted Sister Reunion Minus Dee Snider

Twisted Sister's 2026 reunion initially aimed to celebrate their 50th anniversary, marking five decades since their formation in New Jersey in 1972. However, these plans were derailed when Dee Snider stepped down due to health concerns. Snider revealed he suffers from degenerative arthritis and heart issues, making his signature aggressive performances unsustainable. Sebastian Bach, formerly of Skid Row, will step in for select dates. Bach, who has called himself a lifelong Twisted Sister fan, received Snider's blessing and spoke of an emotional phone call between the two singers. Bach will perform a limited number of shows this fall, with the Alaska State Fair on September 4th being the only confirmed date so far. Twisted Sister's classic lineup solidified in 1982 with Jay Jay French, Eddie Ojeda, Dee Snider, Mark Mendoza, and A.J. Pero. Their breakthrough came with the 1984 album *Stay Hungry*, featuring the hits "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock". Those music videos, known for their slapstick humor, gained popularity on MTV. Snider joined Twisted Sister in 1976 and became the band's primary songwriter. Beyond Twisted Sister, Snider has had a diverse career including solo albums, acting, and radio hosting. His solo work includes albums like 2018's *For the Love of Metal* and 2021's *Leave a Scar*. Original members Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda will continue with Russell Pzütto on bass, replacing Mark Mendoza, and Joey Cassata on drums. A.J. Pero, the band's drummer, passed away in 2015. Snider said that around the time of the band's 2014 reunion, every Twisted Sister member had hand-selected a fill-in for themselves should the situation ever arise. Bach had previously turned down that informal ask, but he's clearly on board now. Despite health challenges, Snider said, "I don't know of any other way to rock. The idea of slowing down is unacceptable to me. I'd rather walk away than be a shadow of my former self". He has also expressed that he is focusing on writing, directing, and producing. The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) criticized Twisted Sister's music videos in 1985 for their violent content. Snider, along with other musicians, testified before the Senate against censorship.