Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider addressed recent claims about unpaid royalties through a brief response on X (formerly Twitter).
TMZ reported a lawsuit filed against Universal Music Group. In the suit, Gary Douglas Peabody claimed Snider contacted him about $10 million allegedly owed for song lyrics.
A fan asked if these claims were true. Snider’s response was characteristically direct:
‘Nope, lol.’
The lawsuit remains pending. Universal Music Group has not yet commented on the allegations.
This case has emerged as a significant legal action in the music industry.
A report from TMZ revealed Peabody’s total claim amounts to $72,325,000 from Universal Music Group. His allegations extend beyond Twisted Sister to include claimed work with Johnny Cash and Shania Twain.
New National Star detailed Peabody’s claims about Johnny Cash. The plaintiff stated Cash personally contacted him in 1970 and 1974. These calls allegedly involved requests to visit New York for a recording deal or payment collection.
Grabien reported Peabody’s initial contact with Universal Music Group in April 2025 before filing the lawsuit. The legal filing contains no documentation of written contracts or formal agreements to support these claims.
Industry observers have noted the unusual nature of this case. While royalty disputes frequently occur in the music industry, especially with legacy acts, Twisted Sister has not faced similar high-profile disputes in recent years.
