You don’t replace a voice like Dee Snider‘s without knowing people are going to have opinions. Maybe you’re excited to hear Sebastian Bach tackle those classic songs. Maybe you can’t imagine Twisted Sister without Dee. Either way, the band isn’t asking you to ignore the change. They’re saying decide for yourself.
That’s exactly how guitarist Jay Jay French sees Twisted Sister’s upcoming 50th anniversary reunion tour, which will feature original Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach stepping in for Snider after the singer was forced to step away from touring because of ongoing health issues.
The band announced earlier this year that it had to cancel its original reunion plans after revealing Snider has been living with degenerative arthritis for several years. Rather than shelve the celebration, Twisted Sister regrouped and confirmed Bach would take over vocal duties for the band’s first reunion in a decade, following its retirement from touring in 2016.
Speaking on Rock ‘N’ Blues Experience, French said Bach was the obvious choice.
“He’s the only larger-than-life guy with the chops and the stage presence to do it.”
After spending eight hours rehearsing together, French said he left with complete confidence.
“I have no doubts how great it’s gonna be.”
The decision, however, divided fans. Many argued that Twisted Sister shouldn’t continue without the vocalist whose voice became synonymous with the band’s biggest songs.
French doesn’t dismiss those concerns, but says the audience will ultimately decide whether the new lineup succeeds.
“It’s either gonna work, or it’s not gonna work,” he said. “The public buys it or they don’t buy it.”
He also pointed to other legendary bands that have continued performing with replacement singers, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner and Queen.
“Freddie Mercury, greatest vocalist in the history of the world, can never be replaced. Guess what? They got a guy Adam Lambert from The Voice to replace him. Steve Perry, greatest singer in the history of the world. Guess what? They got a guy Arnel Pineda from YouTube.
“I’m just saying, we got a guy whose pedigree is metal, who’s a legitimate artist with platinum records. A phenomenally talented human being. And, of course, now the public is gonna ultimately decide. They decide. If the public likes it, they like it.”
Following the announcement, concern quickly spread over Snider’s health, leading both the singer and the band to reassure fans that the situation wasn’t as serious as some rumours suggested. Twisted Sister explained that Snider’s degenerative arthritis has required multiple procedures over the years, while Snider addressed the speculation directly.
“I’m not dying! No, not never; I mean, we’re all dying, but not immediately.”
He also explained why touring is no longer realistic.
“My announcement about cancelling the tour for health reasons, problems with my heart, arthritis, things like that… the rumours have run wild that I’m on my death bed, I am not. I just can’t do those things that I did in my 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and even 60s. Alright? Otherwise I’m alive and well. I’m enjoying life.”
Although he won’t be joining Twisted Sister on the road, Snider says he’ll continue hosting his radio show while remaining active as a writer and director.
Twisted Sister’s next chapter is about to begin with a different voice behind the microphone. Whether fans embrace Sebastian Bach or decide the band is inseparable from Dee Snider is a verdict that won’t be made by critics or the musicians themselves. It’ll be made by the people in the crowd.
Would you see Twisted Sister with Sebastian Bach on vocals, or is Dee Snider impossible to replace?
