TWISTED SISTER’s planned 2026 reunion — billed as a 50th anniversary celebration — is officially off. The band has canceled all scheduled performances following what has been described as a series of serious health challenges faced by frontman Dee Snider.
For decades, Snider built his legacy on pure, uncompromising intensity. But behind the scenes, the physical cost of that approach has been mounting for years. Now 70, the singer has been dealing with degenerative arthritis and has undergone multiple surgeries just to remain stage-ready — often performing only a handful of songs at a time, and in constant pain. More recently, doctors have also identified heart-related concerns, making it clear that the level of aggression Snider is known for is no longer sustainable.
Simply put: Dee Snider can no longer push himself the way TWISTED SISTER demands.
Earlier today, guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda, speaking on behalf of French Management Enterprises, issued an official statement announcing the cancellation:
“With regrets, TWISTED SISTER cancels 50th anniversary celebration performance.
“Due to the sudden and unexpected resignation of TWISTED SISTER’s lead singer Dee Snider brought on by a series of health challenges, the band has been forced to cancel all shows scheduled, beginning April 25th in Sao Paulo Brazil and continuing through the summer.
“The future of TWISTED SISTER will be determined in the next several weeks.”
Snider followed up with a statement of his own — one that perfectly captures both his philosophy and the weight of the decision:
“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.”
The now-canceled reunion lineup was set to include the band’s three core members — Snider, French, and Ojeda. Original bassist Mark “The Animal” Mendoza was not expected to participate. Russell Pzütto, who has previously toured with Snider’s solo band, was tapped to handle bass duties, while drummer Joe Franco — who briefly played with TWISTED SISTER in the mid-1980s — was set to step in following the passing of A.J. Pero in 2015.
As of now, the future of TWISTED SISTER remains uncertain. What is clear is that Dee Snider is refusing to compromise the standard he set decades ago — even if that means walking away from the stage altogether.
