In a significant development for the hard rock landscape, former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach has been tapped to lead Twisted Sister for their scheduled fall 2026 performances. This move comes after the iconic Dee Snider announced his resignation from the band due to ongoing health challenges. Bach, a long-time admirer of Twisted Sister, expressed his profound honor and excitement during a recent interview with Meltdown of Detroit’s WRIF radio station. His appointment marks a new chapter for the legendary band, aiming to carry forward the legacy of their anthemic sound.
Bach’s deep-seated connection to Twisted Sister was palpable as he detailed his extensive fandom. "I am a fan of TWISTED SISTER," he stated, emphasizing his long-standing devotion. "And I’ll tell you right now, I’m probably a bigger fan of TWISTED SISTER than anybody watching this. I love that band. I used to go see them whenever I could." His appreciation extends beyond their well-known hits, delving into the band’s formative years. "I really love the album ‘You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll’ with songs like ‘The Kids Are Back,’ ‘Ride To Live, Live To Ride.’ I love the ‘Under The Blade’ album. I love ‘Shoot ‘Em Down,’ ‘Destroyer,’ ‘Tear It Loose.’ I mean, I love ‘I Wanna Rock,’ I love ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It,’ but there’s an earlier period of that band where they were one of the most ferocious rock bands that you will ever see. And if you saw them back then, you know what I’m talking about."
A Fusion of Energy and Legacy
The transition to Bach at the helm is framed by his commitment to embodying the raw, untamed energy that characterized Twisted Sister’s early club days. He vividly recalled their performances, comparing them to punk rock and thrash metal acts. "When they were a club band, they would come out there like a punk rock band or a total thrash metal band," Bach observed. He pointed to their rendition of The Rolling Stones’ "It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It)" as an example of their aggressive, high-tempo approach. "I mean, if you listen to their version of ‘It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It)’ by THE ROLLING STONES, it’s like a speed metal tempo… Well, that’s the kind of energy that I’m gonna bring." Despite acknowledging the passage of time, Bach asserted his continued vigor on stage. "I mean, I’m not no spring chicken, but I still have a lot of energy when I get on the stage. And I’m going to give you guys fun and energy in TWISTED SISTER."
The announcement also clarified Bach’s ongoing commitments. While embracing his new role as the lead singer of Twisted Sister, he affirmed that his solo career will continue. "I’m the lead singer of TWISTED SISTER," he declared with evident pride. "How much fun is that to say? I love saying that, so I’m really looking forward to it. I will also say that I’ll never stop singing the [classic Skid Row] songs ’18 And Life,’ ‘I Remember You,’ ‘Youth Gone Wild,’ ‘Monkey Business,’ ‘Slave To The Grind’ – I’ll never stop doing that. So I’m not stopping my solo band. I’m continuing my solo band, but I’m doing shows with TWISTED SISTER that are bigger than my solo band. So it’s a step up for me. I’ll have a nicer dressing room and stuff." This strategic expansion of his career highlights his ambition and the significant platform Twisted Sister offers.
Bach reiterated his deep affection for the band’s catalog. "I’m looking forward to rocking out with TWISTED SISTER, because I love the music. And you cannot even challenge me on do I love the [music]. I really do love the music. So you can’t fake love – and I love TWISTED SISTER."
A Personal Connection and a Blessing from Dee Snider
The path to Bach fronting Twisted Sister involved a deeply personal conversation with Dee Snider, underscoring the respectful nature of the transition. During an appearance on SiriusXM’s "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk," Bach shared the emotional exchange. "Well, I have tears in my eyes right now. I am SMF Number Two. I was named that by Dee Snider. And I just have to say, I just got off the phone with Dee Snider. We talked for about 45 minutes, and we were both kind of getting teary eyed."
Bach drew a parallel between the music of Twisted Sister and the themes of his recently released solo album, "Child Within The Man." "And the music of TWISTED SISTER makes me feel like a child within the man," he explained. "This is what I was talking about on my new record, how rock and roll music, it has a life of its own." His long-standing admiration for the band was evident in his nostalgic recollections of customising his belongings with their logo. "You’re talking to a guy here – I used to go to school and I used to paint the TWISTED SISTER logo on the back of my jacket in liquid paper thinking that looked cool [laughs] – whiteout. [Laughs] So I am a real fan – I am a fan of this music, and that is really, number one, why I’m doing it. And also to honor the legacy of these songs."
He also referenced historical precedents for vocalists stepping into established bands, citing Paul Rodgers with Queen and Axl Rose with AC/DC as examples of how musical legacies can continue. "And I look at it like when Paul Rodgers came in [to sing] for QUEEN, or when [Guns N’ Roses frontman] Axl [Rose] came in for Brian Johnson [in AC/DC]. I am a fan of TWISTED SISTER and I always have been, and I love this music. I love it. I love ‘Tear it Loose.’ I love ‘Destroyer.’ I love ‘The Price.’ I mean, you talk about [classic Skid Row songs like] ’18 And Life’ and ‘I Remember You.’ Well, you know what? I locked myself in a room rehearsing to ‘The Price.’ And these songs are how I learned how to rock."
The "SMF Number Two" Designation and Dee Snider’s Health
The origin of the "SMF Number Two" moniker is rooted in Snider’s unique brand of fan loyalty. "I said, ‘I’m calling you in 10 minutes.’ He goes, ‘Okay.’ And I called him and he goes, ‘SMF Number Two.’ ‘Cause he’s always called me that. I’m a sick motherfucker. I’m a sick motherfucking fan of TWISTED SISTER. And he’s always called me Number Two. Of course, he’s number one." Bach’s confirmation of this designation solidified his place in the band’s affectionate lore.
Snider’s decision to step down was driven by medical advice concerning his arthritis and knee issues. "He says that he has arthritis, that his knees are going out, and he has bone on bone. And the doctor said that he should not be jumping around," Bach recounted. Snider’s commitment to delivering a full-throttle performance, which would involve extensive movement, conflicted with his doctor’s recommendations. "And he goes, ‘Well, that’s not an option,’ ’cause he wants to do the full show moving around and stuff, and the doctor said, ‘You can’t do it.’" This pragmatic assessment led to Snider granting his full blessing to Bach. "So he said, ‘You have my full blessing.’ He goes, ‘I love you.’ I told him I loved him, and we were, like, teary eyed." The emotional weight of this conversation was amplified by the impact on Snider’s family. "He told me that his family was crying when he said he couldn’t do the tour."
An open invitation for Snider to join the band on stage was extended and accepted. "I asked him, ‘Hey, you wanna come out and jam with us?’ He goes, ‘Yeah.’ He goes, ‘Yeah.’" While the specifics of these potential collaborations remain to be seen, it offers the possibility of a touching intergenerational moment on stage. Bach also touched upon the universal challenges of aging, humorously noting the age difference between himself and the veteran rockers. "But it’s tough getting older – it’s tough for everybody getting older, and I’m a lot younger. [Laughs]"
Respect and Deep Appreciation for Twisted Sister’s Catalog
Bach emphasized the crucial importance of obtaining Dee Snider’s explicit approval before accepting the role. "That’s a sign of respect," he stated. His respect extends to all members of Twisted Sister, past and present. "I respect Dee Snider, I respect Jay Jay French, I respect Eddie Ojeda, I respect [former Twisted Sister members] A.J. Pero, Mark Mendoza, the whole team." His fandom is not limited to the band’s most recognizable hits; he appreciates the depth and breadth of their musical output. "And I’ve always been a serious fan – like, really serious. I don’t just like the hits of TWISTED SISTER. I like ‘Like A Knife In The Back.’ I like the heavy TWISTED SISTER. And I love ‘I Wanna Rock.’ I love ‘The Price.’ ‘The Price’ is one of my favorite TWISTED SISTER songs. I love ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It.’ But the album ‘You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll,’ I would probably say, is my favorite one." This nuanced appreciation underscores his suitability to represent the band’s enduring musical legacy.
The Evolving Lineup for 2026 and Beyond
The touring contingent for Twisted Sister’s 2026 shows is set to feature Sebastian Bach, Jay Jay French, and Eddie Ojeda. The rhythm section sees some adjustments due to personnel changes. Russell Pzitto, who has previously toured with Snider’s solo projects, will step in as bassist, replacing Mark "The Animal" Mendoza. The drumming position has also seen a change. Joe Franco, who had a brief tenure with the band in the mid-1980s and was initially slated to replace the late A.J. Pero (who passed away in 2015 at the age of 55), is unavailable for the fall 2026 dates. Joey Cassata, known for his work on Ace Frehley’s "10,000 Volts," will now occupy the drum throne.
Jay Jay French addressed the evolving lineup with a historical perspective during his conversation with "Trunk Nation." "In the 53-year history of the band, we’ve had 20 people who’ve been in and out of TWISTED SISTER. We’ve had five singers, we’ve had three bass players, we’ve had four guitar players and we’ve had nine drummers," he noted. French acknowledged the attrition, particularly among drummers, stating, "Half of them are dead. It’s a very tough business to be a drummer with TWISTED SISTER." However, he expressed confidence in the band’s enduring spirit and the resilience of their music. "But we had an amazing history of the band, and this is just a continuation of the history. And the thing is the music always survives." He drew parallels to other iconic bands that have successfully navigated lineup changes. "They said Steve Perry could never have been replaced in JOURNEY. And he was. That Freddie Mercury could never be replaced [in QUEEN]. And he was. And guess what? Baz is gonna be an unbelievable replacement."
French elaborated on the specific lineup for the upcoming shows: "So it’s me, Eddie Ojeda and Baz. Joe Franco had signed on for the summer, and he wasn’t available in the fall. And so Joey Cassata is gonna be on drums filling in for Joe, but if Joe Franco can make it, he definitely will. And Russ Pzitto, who has been our bass tech and has filled in for Mark in the past, will be playing bass. So Russ has been with the organization for years and years and years. He also played on Dee’s solo projects. So that’s basically the lineup."
As of this report, Twisted Sister has confirmed only one date for their 2026 tour: a September 4 stop at the Alaska State Fair. Further announcements regarding the full itinerary are anticipated.
A History of Mutual Respect and Public Support
The relationship between Dee Snider and Sebastian Bach has a documented history of mutual admiration, particularly evident in their public exchange in 2020 concerning the term "hair metal." Despite an initial disagreement on social media regarding its perceived derogatory nature, their underlying respect for each other shone through. "I love Sebastian Bach!" Snider wrote at the time on X (formerly Twitter). "During the darkest period of my career, he stood tall as a Dee Snider fan when few would. I will always be grateful to him for not caring what was ‘cool’ at the moment and speaking our proudly for the things he loved. Thank you SMF#2!"
Bach’s response underscored his profound respect for Snider’s artistry and the enduring impact of Twisted Sister’s music. "I love Dee Snider. I will always love the music he has made. No matter how much Dee sees himself as ‘hair metal,’ I will always see him on a much higher level than that implies. He is one of the greatest frontmen and vocalists of all time. Any corny label less than that is an insult." This exchange highlights a shared commitment to valuing musical integrity and artistry above superficial labels.
Twisted Sister’s last public performance occurred three years ago at the Metal Hall Of Fame ceremony in Agoura Hills, California. During this event, Snider, French, Mendoza, and drummer Mike Portnoy (filling in for the absent Eddie Ojeda, who had contracted COVID-19) were inducted. The band delivered a powerful three-song set featuring "You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll," "Under The Blade," and the iconic anthem "We’re Not Gonna To Take It."
The band’s initial run concluded in the late 1980s. They reunited in November 2001 for a benefit concert, New York Steel, organized to support the New York Police And Fire Widows’ And Children’s Benefit Fund, signaling a resurgence in their public presence and musical relevance. This history of impactful performances and a dedicated fanbase sets the stage for Sebastian Bach’s upcoming tenure as the band’s frontman.