Twisted Sister has canceled its much-anticipated 2026 50th anniversary reunion tour due to significant health concerns affecting frontman Dee Snider, the band announced Thursday. The decision comes just months after the legendary metal group teased a return to the stage for a slate of international shows marking five decades of music and influence.
The 2026 comeback was expected to be a major milestone for Twisted Sister — nearly ten years after their 2016 40 and Fck It!* farewell tour. Plans included dates beginning April 25 in São Paulo, Brazil, and continuing through summer festivals and concerts worldwide, celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary with core members and special lineup additions.
But in statements posted by guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda, the band confirmed that all performances have now been canceled due to Snider’s ongoing health challenges.
*“With Regrets,
Twisted Sister Cancels 50th Anniversary Celebration Performances
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…”* — statement from French and Ojeda.
Dee Snider’s Health Struggles Explained
Snider, now 70, has been quietly battling degenerative arthritis and has undergone multiple surgeries in recent years just to stay on stage. In a candid statement shared alongside the band’s announcement, he revealed that the cumulative toll of decades of high-intensity performing has left him in a position where he can no longer deliver the energetic shows fans expect.
Adding to the challenges, Snider was recently diagnosed with a heart-related condition, intensifying concerns about his ability to safely continue demanding live performances.
In his own words, Snider acknowledged that stepping away from the reunion was painful but necessary, saying he’d rather bow out “than be a shadow of my former self.”
The cancellation has sparked an outpouring of reactions online. Fans on social platforms have shared disappointment, nostalgia and well-wishes for Snider’s health, with many acknowledging his decades of influence in rock and metal. Some expressed heartbreak at the tour’s collapse but emphasized that health must come first.
As for Twisted Sister’s future, the band’s management stated that the situation remains fluid and that decisions about potential future activity will be made in the coming weeks. For now, the band’s 50th anniversary celebration remains on hold.
Though this reunion run won’t happen as planned, Twisted Sister’s legacy continues to loom large within rock history. Their anthemic hits and theatrical stage presence helped define ’80s hard rock and metal, and Snider’s vibrant persona remains a touchstone for fans worldwide.
