Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider recently defended Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale after a fan criticized her vocal performance. He addressed the controversy in comments shared on X (formerly Twitter).
The exchange began when a Rock Photography account posted about Hale’s performance of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” during Black Sabbath’s farewell concert. Snider initially corrected that the song was originally by Dolly Parton. This prompted a fan to respond negatively about Hale’s vocal style.
“She’s a rock singer. Not country. Not pop,” Snider said. “And Lzzy Hale is singing the hell out of that damn thing hitting every note! She is flat out amazing!”
The comment came in direct response to a fan who claimed Hale was “screaming, not singing” during her performance of the classic ballad. Snider’s defense highlighted the distinction between different vocal styles across musical genres.
Snider’s passionate defense of Hale’s vocal abilities reflects the broader conversation about rock singing techniques. It also reflects the training behind powerful performances that might sound effortless to audiences.
Hale’s vocal prowess stems from extensive training she received early in her career. Digital Noise Magazine reported that Lzzy Hale credits her incredible singing and stage presence to the training she received from Steve Whiteman of KIX when she was just 16 years old. This foundational training helped shape her distinctive rock vocal style that Snider so vigorously defended.
The Halestorm frontwoman has been open about her vocal approach and the misconceptions surrounding rock singing. Blabbermouth noted that Hale has discussed her singing style and the technical aspects behind what might appear to be aggressive vocals. Her training with Whiteman covered not just vocal techniques but also breath control and stagecraft over a two-year period.
“I had an amazing teacher in the very beginning when I was 16 years old, Steve Whiteman from the band KIX, back in the day,” Hale has said. She emphasized the importance of proper vocal training in developing her rock singing abilities.
The controversy highlights the ongoing debate about different vocal styles across musical genres. Rock singers often face criticism for their powerful, sometimes aggressive delivery. Hale’s technical training and Snider’s defense demonstrate that rock vocals require just as much skill and precision as any other musical style. This remains true even when the delivery sounds more intense than traditional pop or country performances.
