Dee Snider Tells Fans He’s ‘Not Dying’ After Twisted Sister Tour Cancel

Dee Snider says rumors of his impending death have been exaggerated. The Twisted Sister frontman who a few weeks ago announced that he’d left the veteran metal band due to a “series of health challenges” that scotched their planned run of 50h anniversary shows revealed on this week’s episode of his House of Hair radio show that things are not as grim as they seem.

“I’m not dying! No, not never. I mean, we’re all dying, but not immediately,” said Snider, 70, who told fans on Saturday (Feb. 14) that he’s struggling with arthritis and an unspecified heart issue. “My announcement about canceling the tour for health reasons, problems with my heart, arthritis, things like that… the rumors have run wild that I’m on my death bed, I am not,” added Snider. “I just can’t do those things that I did in my 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and even 60s. Otherwise I’m alive and well. I’m enjoying life.”

Twisted Sister announced on Feb. 5 that they were forced to call off their entire 50th anniversary tour, which was slated to feature three of its longest-running members, founding guitarist Jay Jay French, longtime guitarist Eddie Ojeda and Snider. The “We’re Not Gonna Take It” band originally split in 1988 and reunited a decade later, touring and recording on and off for the next decade before announcing what they deemed their farewell tour in 2015 following the death of drummer A.J. Pero, followed by 2016’s 40th anniversary tour, Forty and F–k It.

The band announced plans for a 50th anniversary tour in September, dubbed Twisted Forever, Forever Twisted. In February, though, they pulled the plug over Snider’s health issues. “Due to the sudden and unexpected resignation of Twisted Sister’s lead singer Dee Snider brought on by a series of health challenges, the band has been forced to cancel all shows scheduled,” they said at the time. “A lifetime of legendarily aggressive performing has taken its toll on Dee Snider’s body and soul. Adding insult to injury, Dee has recently found out the level of intensity he has dedicated to his life’s work has taken its toll on his heart as well. He can no longer push the boundaries of rock ‘n’ roll fury like he has done for decades.”