Dee Snider recently addressed the growing trend of bands touring under a legendary act’s name without any of the group’s original members. He shared his thoughts in a video posted to Facebook.
The Twisted Sister frontman explained that the practice misleads fans since audiences may not realize they are watching a lineup with no connection to the band’s classic era.
“This is Dee Snider and something blowing up on my X right now,” Snider said. “Somebody asked me what my feelings were about the bands that are out there playing under a big band’s name with no original members. And I said a hard no.”
He went on to describe why he considers the practice problematic, particularly for what he called “corporate rock bands.”
“I think it’s completely f*cked up,” Snider continued. “It’s deceptive. It’s misrepresentative. They’re not saying we’re not the original members, but they’re introducing everybody in the band. But that’s the problem with something called the corporate rock bands. They’re popular for their songs, but not really for the band members.”
Snider then offered an exception to his stance, referencing bassist Rudy Sarzo as an example of a musician he wouldn’t criticize for continuing to tour.
“If you don’t have any members from the classic lineup, at least one, you can say, well, like Rudy Sarzo,” Snider said. “Rudy’s been through it all. If he wants to go out there, I am certainly not going to criticize him. But the day Rudy leaves, stay the f*ck off the road and keep that band’s name out of your mouth.”
The comments drew a strong reaction from fans. Several pointed out that Twisted Sister is currently touring with Sebastian Bach on vocals after Snider stepped down from the band’s comeback tour due to health issues. One fan wrote, “Hmmm isn’t Sebastian Bach fronting Twisted Sister….” Another asked, “You mean like your band going out on the road with Sebastian Bach?” A third fan noted that Twisted Sister is technically guitarist Jay Jay French’s band, adding that Bach appears to have “fitted in alright so far.”
Snider’s own situation with Twisted Sister adds another layer to the conversation about original members and band identity.
Snider stepped away from Twisted Sister’s touring lineup after being diagnosed with degenerative arthritis. The condition required multiple surgeries and left him able to handle only a limited number of physically demanding shows. The health struggles didn’t end there. Just last week, Snider revealed he broke his right shoulder in a freak accident while playing basketball with his kids. The injury will keep him in a sling for weeks and further cements his decision to hand off touring duties.
Despite stepping back from the road, Snider gave his blessing for Bach, a longtime fan of the band, to take over frontman duties. Twisted Sister made the transition official on August 28, 2026, when Bach debuted with the group at a surprise show at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey. The performance was billed as a “Bent Brother” show. The band’s fall tour is set to kick off in earnest on September 4 in Palmer, Alaska.
Reacting to the band’s first official performance with Bach at the helm, Snider made clear that his decision to step aside came with full support for his replacement. He distinguished his own circumstance from the “corporate rock” acts he criticized for touring without any tie to the original lineup.
