Dee Snider recently addressed criticism about his relationship with KISS. He defended his ability to both admire and critique the band in a statement shared on X.
The response came after Snider celebrated Peter Criss’ birthday with a tribute post. A fan then commented on the post, questioning Snider’s past criticism of the band.
“Happy birthday to the OG, the one and only Catman, the legend, my friend, Peter Criss!” Snider said. “And what a way to rock the next decade: with the Kennedy Honors and a new album!”
A fan commented “Remember when Dee hated KISS?” Snider clarified his position on the matter.
“Idiots like you never got me,” he responded. “You can love a band and be critical of things they say or do. (Like disco songs! Ugh!) Rockstars are not gods. I’m in awe of my heroes…but they don’t get a free pass!”
The exchange highlighted Snider’s perspective that admiration for artists doesn’t preclude constructive criticism of their work.
This latest statement reflects Snider’s long-standing position in his ongoing feud with KISS. The feud has spanned several years and involved public exchanges between the musicians.
Eddie Trunk reported that Snider’s feud with KISS ignited when he called Paul Stanley a “dick” for the band’s “arrogance.” He also criticized them for letting Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer use the Catman and Spaceman personas originally made famous by Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. The Twisted Sister frontman has been particularly vocal about his disapproval of current KISS members adopting the iconic makeup and personas of former band members.
In his earlier criticism, Snider wrote an open letter to Stanley. He said, “Paul, I love your band, I love your music. Why do you have to be such a dick?” This statement encapsulates his position that loving a band doesn’t mean accepting everything they do without question.
Arrow Lords of Metal noted that more than three years ago, Dee criticized Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons regarding KISS’s farewell tour claims. He expressed doubt about whether the band would truly retire. This skepticism demonstrates Snider’s consistent willingness to challenge statements made by the band’s leadership.
The feud has also seen responses from KISS members. Ultimate Classic Rock revealed that Paul Stanley called Dee Snider a “wannabe” and criticized Twisted Sister in return. This back-and-forth has created one of rock music’s more notable public disputes between veteran musicians.
