Legendary rock band Twisted Sister has confirmed the cancellation of its anticipated 50th-anniversary concerts, citing the "sudden and unexpected resignation" of frontman Dee Snider. Guitarist Jay Jay French stated the group had "no other choice" but to scrap the planned 2026 reunion dates.
The cancellation, announced on February 5th, followed Snider's decision to step down due to mounting health issues. The band's social media post indicated that Snider's departure necessitated the cancellation of all performances scheduled from April through early summer.
On February 7th, Jay Jay French marked the 50th anniversary of Snider's audition for Twisted Sister in 1976. In a video message, French reflected on decades of performing alongside Snider and guitarist Eddie Ojeda. He likened Snider's departure to a great athlete leaving it "on the field," emphasizing that Snider "left it on the stage," giving his all until his body could no longer sustain the intensity. French acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but reiterated its inevitability.
Looking ahead, French mentioned that he and Ojeda would discuss potential future options for Twisted Sister in the coming weeks. He extended gratitude to the band's dedicated fanbase, the "SMFs," for their unwavering support, promising to always uphold their expectations.
In a separate statement on February 5th, the 70-year-old Snider disclosed a diagnosis of degenerative arthritis, which has required multiple surgeries. He explained that a lifetime of aggressive performing has taken a severe toll on both his body and heart. Snider expressed that he "doesn't know of any other way to rock" and would rather retire than perform as a diminished version of himself. He said, "In the immortal words of Dirty Harry, 'A man's got to know his limitations. Sadly, Dee Snider now knows his," the statement concluded.
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North Arkansas Performing Artists Coalition (NAPAC) / The Harrison Post