Twisted Sister have announced that Sebastian Bach will take over lead vocal duties for the band in place of retired singer Dee Snider during a small series of shows scheduled for this autumn.
Snider stepped away from Twisted Sister because of ongoing health problems, which led to the cancellation of the band’s planned 2026 reunion tour. Now, Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda have revealed that Bach will step in as the band’s vocalist for six upcoming performances that are still to be announced, and Snider has already given the move his full support.
A message shared on social media stated: “Twisted Sister members Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda are thrilled to announce that iconic vocalist and frontman Sebastian Bach will be fronting the band for a handful of select dates this fall. These appearances do not affect or conflict with Sebastian’s current or future solo touring schedule, which remains fully intact.”
Bach responded with a lengthy and heartfelt statement, beginning with: “I am the lead singer of Twisted Sister. I keep saying that over and over to myself and anybody else who will listen.”
He said he felt “absolutely honoured and overjoyed to pay tribute to the legacy of some of my favourite music and musicians of my whole life!”
He also revealed that he spoke to Snider before the announcement became public: “We were both kind of emotional on the phone. I know I was a little bit teary-eyed because I have nothing but respect for Dee, and I have always been a fan and a friend of Dee, Suzette and his wonderful family.”
Bach added: “We have agreed to do six shows this year together, and I am really looking forward to this. None of the shows of my solo band are being cancelled or moved. I am going to be one busy mother trucker, that is for sure, but I am used to it!” He then thanked the band personally: “I would like to personally thank Jay Jay French, Eddie Ojeda and the whole team of Twisted Fucking Sister. It’s a long way from me painting the TS logo on the back of my jean jacket in high school in liquid paper to fronting the band. I am completely excited as a fan to sing these songs.”
He concluded his statement by saying: “Thank you, Twisted Sister, for this awesome opportunity, and I look forward to rocking with all you sick motherfckers later on this year!”
After rumours began circulating about his health, Snider addressed the speculation directly during his House of Hair radio show, making it clear that the reports were exaggerated. He said: “I’m not dying! No, not never; I mean, we’re all dying, but not immediately.” He continued: “The rumours have run wild that I’m on my death bed, I am not. I just can’t do those things that I did in my 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and even 60s. Alright? Otherwise I’m alive and well. I’m enjoying life.”
Snider explained that he simply cannot perform with the same physical intensity that audiences are used to seeing: “You won’t see me on the stage kicking a** like I used to, because that will mess me up. So had to pull out of Twisted Sister, had to cancel the tour, my apologies for that. (sic)”
He also expressed gratitude to fans who reached out with concern: “Thank you for all the love and care and worry and all that stuff. It was crazy the amount of people, the outpouring was beautiful, thank you very much for cheering me on. I’m OK, I just can’t do that anymore.”
Snider went on to say: “The truth of the matter is, I don’t want you to see me up there being less than you expect me to be. You got memories of the great shows that I did, that’s what I want to leave you with. Not me standing up there like Willie Nelson nothing wrong with Willie, 95 years old, in a wheelchair you know what I’m saying.” He added that he still plans to be around for many years: “I went out rockin’, I’m still rockin’ here, I ain’t stopping. I got a lot of life to live. My dad is 95 and still kicking, so I’m expecting to be around for a long time.”
A message published on the band’s official website further explained the situation, noting: “A lifetime of legendarily aggressive performing has taken its toll on Dee Snider’s body and soul… Snider (70) suffers from degenerative arthritis and has had several surgeries over the years just to keep going, able to only perform a few songs at a time in pain.” The statement also mentioned that decades of high energy performing have impacted his heart.
Snider added: “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.”
