After more than five decades fronting one of hard rock’s most explosive bands, Dee Snider has officially stepped away from Twisted Sister, citing serious and ongoing health challenges that have made it impossible for him to continue performing at the intensity fans expect.
In a statement shared Thursday, Feb. 5, Twisted Sister confirmed that Snider’s sudden and unexpected resignation has forced the band to cancel all upcoming shows, including a highly anticipated 50th Anniversary reunion tour.
The celebratory run was scheduled to kick off on April 25 in São Paulo, Brazil, but those plans — along with every other tour date — have now been scrapped.
“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,” the statement read. “The future of Twisted Sister will be determined in the next several weeks.”
The message was signed by founding guitarist Jay Jay French and longtime bandmate Eddie Ojeda, underscoring the gravity of Snider’s decision and the uncertainty now surrounding the band’s future.
Dee Snider Explains His Decision
Snider also released a separate, deeply personal statement in the same social media post, offering fans a candid look at the toll decades of aggressive performing have taken on his body.
Citing a “lifetime of legendarily aggressive performing,” Snider revealed that he suffers from degenerative arthritis and has undergone multiple surgeries over the years just to remain stage-ready.
Even then, he said, he has only been able to perform a few songs at a time while in pain.
The rocker also disclosed that the physical strain hasn’t been limited to his joints.
According to Snider, the relentless intensity of his performances has taken a toll on his heart, making it unsafe for him to continue pushing himself at the level that has defined his career.
“I can no longer push the boundaries of rock ’n’ roll fury,” Snider admitted.
‘I’d Rather Walk Away’
True to the defiant spirit that made him a metal icon, Snider made clear that compromising his performance style was never an option.
“I don’t know of any other way to rock,” he wrote. “The idea of slowing down is unacceptable to me. I’d rather walk away than be a shadow of my former self.”
Fans quickly flooded social media with messages of gratitude, support and admiration, praising Snider for choosing honesty and self-preservation after decades of giving everything to his craft.
While the future of Twisted Sister remains undecided, Snider’s legacy is firmly intact — defined by raw energy, fearless performance and an unwavering refusal to do anything halfway.
For many fans, his exit isn’t an ending, but a powerful reminder of just how much he gave to rock ’n’ roll.
