Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider recently addressed widespread rumors about his health status. He clarified misconceptions that arose after he canceled the band’s 2026 reunion shows due to health concerns. The statement was shared on Facebook.
Snider’s statement directly addressed the death rumors that circulated following his tour cancellation announcement.
“Hey, everybody. It’s me, Dee Snider, and I’m not dying. No, not never — I mean, we’re all dying, but not immediately,” Snider said. “My announcement about canceling the tour for health reasons, problems with my heart, arthritis, things like that, the rumors have run wild that I am on my deathbed.”
The rock veteran explained his decision to step back from performing while emphasizing his continued vitality.
“I am not. I just can’t do those things that I did in my twenties, thirties, forties, fifties and even sixties. All right? Otherwise, I’m alive and well. I’m enjoying life. I’m here for the ‘House Of Hair’. I’m directing a movie. I’ll be writing things,” he continued. “You won’t see me on the stage kicking ass like I used to because that will mess me up.”
Snider elaborated on his commitment to maintaining performance standards and his gratitude for fan support.
“[Someone] just told me, ‘Hey, man, could you just go out on stage and lay back?’ No, I can’t do that. That’s not who I am. Look, I can barely do that on the ‘House Of Hair’. So, I had to pull out of TWISTED SISTER. I had to cancel a tour. My apologies for that. And thank you for all the love and care and worry and all that stuff. It was crazy. I mean, the amount of people, the outpouring was beautiful. Thank you very much for cheering me on,” he said.
The statement concluded with Snider’s assurance about his future plans and longevity expectations.
“I’m okay. I just can’t do that anymore. And you know what? Truth of the matter is, I don’t want you to see me up there being less than you expect me to be. If you got memories of a great show that I did, that’s what I wanna leave you with, not me standing up there like Willie Nelson. Nothing wrong with Willie — 95 years old in a wheelchair — but you know what I’m saying. I went out rocking. I’m still rocking here. I ain’t stopping. I got a lot of life to live. My dad’s 95 and still kicking, so I’m expecting to be around for a long time, which means the ‘House Of Hair’ will go on forever. All right. Don’t worry about old Dee. Thank you,” Snider concluded.
The health challenges that prompted Snider’s retirement from touring are more extensive than initially revealed. This provides context for his difficult decision to step away from live performances.
Louder Sound reported that Snider suffers from degenerative arthritis in his shoulders, hypertension, and high blood pressure. The arthritis has required multiple surgeries. He can now only perform a few songs at a time while experiencing significant pain. These physical limitations have made it impossible for him to deliver the high-energy performances that defined his career.
Blabbermouth noted that the tour cancellation announcement came on February 5, 2026, when Twisted Sister was forced to cancel their highly anticipated 50th anniversary tour. The decision sparked immediate concern among fans, with many fearing the worst about the 69-year-old rocker’s condition. The rumors quickly escalated on social media, prompting Snider to address them directly.
In dealing with his health challenges, Snider has explored alternative healing methods. Louder Sound revealed that he recently participated in a “mushroom ceremony” guided by his son Cody Blue, describing encounters with a telepathic entity that helped heal long-carried emotional wounds. This experience represents part of his broader approach to managing both physical and emotional health issues.
Despite stepping back from touring, Snider remains active in other projects. He continues hosting his long-running radio show “House of Hair” and is currently directing a movie. This demonstrates that while his performing days may be over, his creative output continues. His commitment to maintaining quality standards rather than delivering diminished performances reflects his dedication to preserving his legacy as one of heavy metal’s most dynamic frontmen.
