Jay Jay French defended the choice of Sebastian Bach as Twisted Sister’s new singer during the band’s reunion tour, saying that Bach is the only person who could fill the role. French made the comments on Jay Jay French Connection.
The guitarist addressed online criticism from fans who objected to Dee Snider’s replacement. Snider stepped back from touring with the band due to health issues.
French pointed out that other famous singers have been replaced after they left their bands, and that fans have accepted those changes. He then gave his view on why Bach is the right choice.
“You know what kills me?” French said. “When people say to me, ‘Oh, well, you know, replacing Dee, blah, blah, blah, blah.’ And by the way, you know, not take nothing away. Amazing singer, Dee, dedicated person, unfortunately, he’s got health issues and he has to do what he has to do.”
“But when I hear and I go, ‘Well, let me get this straight. Freddie Mercury, greatest guy in the world, never to be replaced, but you get a guy from American Idol.’ Oh, excuse me. Steve Perry, the greatest singer ever lived. Oh, you got a guy from f*cking YouTube. I said, ‘Well, listen. f*ck American Idol, YouTube. We got a real guy. A real bonafide star, a great frontman. And by the way, if you ask a hundred people, 100 Twisted fans, who’s the only person that could replace Dee, and they would all say Sebastian Bach. End of story.”
Sebastian Bach then offered his own thoughts on the backlash and how he handles criticism online.
“I appreciate that. But number one, D says that himself,” Bach said. “So that’s the number one endorsement. And I just have to laugh. You know, it’s the tra it’s the trap of every artist. Don’t read the comments because like it’s you’re going to get mad.”
“You’re going to respond. And I try not to do that, but sometimes I do. But if someone says, ‘Oh, you can’t replace Dee Snider. This just pisses me off.’ What pisses you off? An Instagram post? We haven’t done anything. They are like, ‘I’m going to make a post.’ What? What’s a post?”
French and Bach discussed the criticism during a conversation on the guitarist’s YouTube show as the band prepared for its reunion tour.
Snider had to step away from the planned tour because of degenerative arthritis, heart problems, and hypertension. In March 2026, Twisted Sister announced that Bach, the former Skid Row frontman, would take over as lead singer for the band’s 50th anniversary reunion tour and their first reunion in ten years after they stopped touring in 2016. The band said that Bach’s participation would not affect his own solo touring schedule.
Snider approved of Bach stepping in for him. Looking back on their relationship, Snider praised Bach’s loyalty during difficult times, saying that during the darkest period of his career, Bach stood tall as a Dee Snider fan when few would. Snider said he loves Sebastian Bach for that support.
French and Bach’s comments came as they addressed fan concerns about the change in leadership for the reunion tour. Both men pointed to the reality that bands have successfully moved forward with new singers in the past and that fans have accepted those transitions.
