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Jay Jay French says fans will “ultimately decide” verdict on Sebastian Bach as Twisted Sister’s new vocalist
Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French has said it will be up to fans to decide whether Sebastian Bach succeeds as the band's replacement vocalist, following the divisive decision to bring in the former Skid Row frontman after Dee Snider stepped back from touring. Snider was forced to withdraw from the group's planned 2026 reunion tour, its first in a decade and marking the band's 50th anniversary, after revealing he has been suffering from degenerative arthritis for several years.
Speaking on the Rock 'N' Blues Experience, French defended the choice of Bach, calling him "the only person that could do it" and praising his stage presence and rehearsal performance. Acknowledging fan unease at touring without Snider, French compared the situation to other legacy acts who have replaced iconic singers, such as Queen with Adam Lambert and Journey with Arnel Pineda, insisting "the public buys it or they don't buy it." Snider, meanwhile, has publicly reassured fans he is not seriously ill, saying he remains active with his radio show and other projects but can no longer manage the physical demands of touring.
In short
- Sebastian Bach replaces Dee Snider as Twisted Sister's touring vocalist.
- Guitarist Jay Jay French says fans will judge if the switch works.
- Snider stepped back due to degenerative arthritis, says he's not seriously ill.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The band's decision is pragmatic and respectful of both artist and fan interests. Snider has a legitimate medical condition preventing touring, and rather than cancel entirely, they've secured an accomplished vocalist in Bach who commands the stage and honours the material. Other iconic acts have successfully navigated similar situations—Queen with Adam Lambert, Journey with Arnel Pineda—proving strong vocal talent can serve a legacy. The alternative would be depriving fans of a 50th anniversary celebration, whilst Snider himself seems comfortable with the arrangement and remains active in other professional commitments.
The case against
For many fans, Dee Snider is not merely a replaceable vocal talent but the voice and identity that defined Twisted Sister across decades. A 50th anniversary tour without the original frontman fundamentally diminishes what that milestone represents and risks reducing the experience to a tribute act rather than the authentic band. Whilst other acts have replaced singers, each carries emotional weight for fans who grew up with those original voices; comparative examples don't guarantee acceptance. The core issue is whether a Twisted Sister tour without Snider is genuinely Twisted Sister, or whether some legacies are meant to retire with their defining members.
Explained simply
Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band formed in the 1970s, known for songs like "We're Not Gonna Take It." The group is planning a 50th anniversary reunion tour in 2026, their first major tour in a decade. Original vocalist Dee Snider stepped back from touring due to degenerative arthritis, a condition he has managed for several years, though he remains involved in other projects including his radio show.
To replace Snider on the tour, the band has brought in Sebastian Bach, the former frontman of rock band Skid Row. This decision has divided fans, with some uncertain whether another vocalist can authentically represent the band without Snider. The guitarist Jay Jay French has defended the choice, praising Bach's stage presence and pointing to other legacy acts that have replaced lead singers, such as Queen with Adam Lambert and Journey with Arnel Pineda.