Dee Snider Cancels Tour & Resigns from Twisted Sister, Ending a 50-Year Run

Dee Snider has officially resigned from Twisted Sister, bringing an end to his five-decade run as the band’s frontman and public face.

The announcement was made on February 5, 2026, when Twisted Sister confirmed the cancellation of its entire 50th anniversary reunion tour. The tour was scheduled to begin in April and would have marked the band’s first major run of shows in a decade. Guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie “Fingers” Ojeda said Snider’s decision made it impossible for the band to continue with the planned dates.

Health Issues Drive the Decision

Snider, now 70, cited ongoing health challenges as the reason for his departure. In a statement released alongside the tour cancellation, he explained that years of high-intensity performances had taken a severe toll on his body. He revealed that he has been dealing with degenerative arthritis and has undergone multiple surgeries, limiting his ability to perform full sets. Medical evaluations also raised concerns about cardiac strain.

Snider said he could no longer deliver the level of performance he believes fans deserve.

“I do not know how to do this halfway,” he wrote. “I would rather step away than become a diminished version of what I have always given onstage.”

A Defining Voice in Heavy Metal

Snider joined Twisted Sister in the mid-1970s and became synonymous with the band’s image and sound during its rise in the 1980s. Songs like We’re Not Gonna Take It and I Wanna Rock turned the band into MTV staples and made Snider one of the most recognizable figures in heavy metal.

Twisted Sister officially retired from touring in 2016, though the band reunited for select appearances in subsequent years. The 2026 tour was intended as a celebratory return, marking the group’s 50th anniversary. With Snider’s resignation, those plans have now been abandoned.

Uncertain Future for the Band

In its statement, Twisted Sister said the future of the band remains undecided. All scheduled shows have been canceled, including international dates and festival appearances. The remaining members said they will take time to assess what comes next.

Fans and fellow musicians have responded with an outpouring of support for Snider, praising his honesty and his decision to prioritize health over legacy-driven obligations.

Snider’s exit closes the book on one of heavy metal’s most enduring frontmen and signals the definitive end of an era for Twisted Sister.