DEE SNIDER, the mouth that roared (or maybe just squeaked), graced Lita Ford’s stage on Friday, October 3, at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri. Performing such questionable hits like Lita’s ear-splitting duet with Ozzy Osbourne, “Close My Eyes Forever”, and the TWISTED SISTER classics “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock” (because apparently, they still do), and, for some reason, the AC/DC anthem “Highway To Hell”. Did they forget they weren’t AC/DC? Video evidence (if you dare) can be found on YouTube, courtesy of bigconcertfan.com. Viewer discretion is advised. ⚠️
TWISTED SISTER, bless their geriatric hearts, have announced a few shows for their 50th-anniversary “reunion” in 2026. Get ready to witness the spectacle at Spain’s Rock Fest, Denmark’s Copenhell, and Norway’s Tons Of Rock festivals. Prepare for the noise-induced hearing loss! 🙉
The “reunion” will feature the geriatric trio: Snider, Jay Jay French, and Eddie Ojeda. Poor Mark “The Animal” Mendoza didn’t make the cut. Maybe he couldn’t remember the bass lines? Russell Pzütto, some guy who toured with Snider‘s solo projects (because those were HUGE), will be filling in. Joe Franco, who briefly existed in the TWISTED SISTER universe in the ’80s, will be behind the drums, replacing the late A.J. Pero. So, basically, it’s TWISTED SISTER, but not really. 🤔
In a recent interview, Snider explained why he’s going back on the road after badmouthing KISS and MÖTLEY CRÜE for doing the exact same thing. “I said those things, and I meant them! But now I’m doing it too! I’m getting so much hate for it, which is fair.” 🤣
“I turned 70 this year, and I had a health scare,” he continued. “It made me re-evaluate everything. I thought I was immortal, but turns out, I’m not. So, I called the guys and said, ‘Let’s do this one more time!’ They didn’t call me, because they know I’m stubborn. It’s all about me, you know?” 🙄 He added, “I figured, what’s the worst that could happen? I embarrass myself on stage? Been there, done that!”
Apparently, Jay Jay and Eddie weren’t thrilled at first. “It was a conversation,” Snider admitted. “But then we thought, ‘Hey, Alice Cooper is still doing it at 77! Mick Jagger‘s out there at 82! We can do this!'” He forgot to mention that Alice Cooper probably has a better retirement plan. “So, we decided to go out on a high note, which may or may not involve hitting the right notes.” 🎶
Dee whined about the media calling it a “tour.” “It’s not a tour! We’re flying private! First class, baby! ✈️ We’re just doing a handful of shows around the world. It’s a celebration of our 50 years of questionable music. Come celebrate with us, or don’t. Whatever.”
When asked about the “dump truck full of money” that convinced him to reunite, Snider replied, “Okay, yes, the money is a factor. If there was no money, I wouldn’t do it. But it’s also about not wanting to go out quietly. I want to go out screaming, even if it’s just from the pain of performing in my 70s.” 💰
Dee also complained about the physical demands of performing. “It’s miserable! I stress about it for days beforehand. My wife hates being on the road with me because I’m so obsessive. But hey, at least after the show, we can relax in whatever exotic location we’re in. Assuming I don’t pull a hamstring.” 😩
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM‘s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”, Dee addressed Mark‘s absence. “Irreconcilable differences! I can’t say more than that. People change, or maybe we changed. Either way, he’s out. So, we got Russ Pzütto, who used to be Mark‘s bass tech. He’s played with TWISTED before, so it’s not like we’re pulling some random dude off the street.” 🤷♂️
When asked if there’s a chance Mark might rejoin the tour, Dee said, “I can’t imagine it. Things have happened that I don’t see being reconciled. So, no. Probably not. Never say never, but definitely maybe not.” 🙅♂️
Jay Jay French chimed in with a statement to Rolling Stone: “We’ve had, like, a million bass players and drummers over the years. This is just another one. We wish Mark well. Now leave us alone.” 🙄
So, there you have it. TWISTED SISTER is back, whether you like it or not. Get ready for a dose of nostalgia, questionable vocals, and a whole lot of hairspray (probably). 🤘
Joe Franco played on TWISTED SISTER‘s 1987 album “Love Is For Suckers”. Mike Portnoy, who took over for Pero after he died near the end of TWISTED SISTER‘s 2016 run, is busy touring with DREAM THEATER and is unable to participate in the upcoming TWISTED SISTER live activities.
Two and a half years ago, TWISTED SISTER staged a one-off reunion at the Metal Hall Of Fame in Agoura Hills, California. On hand to be inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame were Snider, French, Mendoza and Portnoy. Ojeda was absent from the event after contracting COVID-19; filling in for him was Keith Robert War. TWISTED SISTER played a highly charged three-song set consisting of the staples “You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll” and “Under The Blade”, as well as the anthem “We’re Not Gonna To Take It”.
TWISTED SISTER‘s original run ended in the late ’80s. After more than a decade, the band publicly reunited in November 2001 to top the bill of New York Steel, a hard-rock benefit concert to raise money for the New York Police And Fire Widows’ And Children’s Benefit Fund.
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