Twisted Sister Call Off 50th Anniversary Tour as Dee Snider Resigns Over Health

Twisted Sister have called off their 50th anniversary tour following the resignation of frontman Dee Snider, who has stepped away because of ongoing health concerns.

The 70 year old vocalist confirmed the news in a statement, explaining that he would be exiting the band with immediate effect after facing what he described as a “series of challenges”. As a result, the group have announced that the anniversary run planned to celebrate five decades together can no longer go ahead.

“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 Paolo Brazil and continuing through the summer,” the statement read.

The band also said that what comes next for Twisted Sister “will be determined in the next several weeks”. The message was signed by founding members Eddie Ojeda and Jay Jay French.

Twisted Sister later shared additional details via their official website, offering further context around the health issues Snider has been dealing with, including degenerative arthritis, which has required multiple medical procedures over the years.

“A lifetime of legendarily aggressive performing has taken its toll on Dee Snider’s body and soul,” the post explained. It added that, until now, Snider’s condition had not been made public, revealing that he has lived with degenerative arthritis and undergone several surgeries just to continue performing, often managing only a handful of songs at a time while in pain. The statement concluded that he “can no longer push the boundaries of rock ‘n’ roll fury like he has done for decades.”

Further updates regarding the cancelled dates and the band’s future plans are expected to be announced over the coming weeks.

Addressing his decision to step away, Snider said: “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.”

Twisted Sister officially stopped touring in 2016, but revealed plans to return to the road last September with a global anniversary tour. The idea was first teased on social media, with Snider hinting at something special to mark the band’s 50th year.

“If you’re lucky enough to be in a band that people still want to see after 50 years(!), how can you not answer the call? In 2026, Twisted Fucking Sister will hit stages around the world because WE STILL WANNA ROCK!!” he wrote at the time.

The now cancelled tour had included a headline appearance at the Steelhouse Festival, scheduled to take place between July 24 and 26 in 2026 at Hafod-y-Dafal Farm in Aberbeeg, Ebbw Vale. The show would have marked the band’s first UK performance since their appearance at Bloodstock in 2016.