Twisted Sister confirmed last Wednesday, the 10th, a reunion show for 2026 to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Dates are not yet confirmed, but the news was announced via a social media post.
What caught attention was that Mark Mendoza , the bassist from Twisted Sister's classic era, will not be joining the band; instead, the tour will feature Russell Pzütto on bass. In an interview with the Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk , vocalist Dee Snider explained the reasons [transcription via Blabbermouth ].
"I can only say that there are irreconcilable differences and leave it at that. I can't go into details and I can't go down that road. And I won't. But they are irreconcilable differences. People change, whatever, and I'm not saying he changed; maybe we changed whatever it was. So, when deciding who to use on bass, my bassist on the last two Dee Snider albums, Russ Pzütto. And he was Mark Mendoza's bass tech, and an incredible bassist… So, he did an amazing job on those two albums."
Dee continued: “He was a great guy to tour with. The band knew him from years of working with Twisted, and again, he seemed like a likely choice. In fact, he was once chosen by Mark to fill in for him. And at one show, it was in Belgium, at Graspop , and Mark couldn't go, and Russ stepped in and played with Twisted. So, he had already performed with the band once before.”
The journalist questioned whether there was a chance Mark Mendoza would play with Twisted Sister again at some point during the reunion tour. Dee Snider then stated: “I can’t imagine that right now. I can’t imagine that right now. I mean, I beg you, I’m begging you. I can’t go beyond that. But things happened that I don’t see being reconciled, hence the term ‘irreconcilable differences’.”
Twisted Sisters reunion tour
Through an official statement on the Twisted Sister website, the members commented on the announcement. Guitarist and founding manager Jay Jay French couldn't contain his excitement:
“Since February 2, 1976, in a small bar called The Turtleneck Inn in Hunter Mountain, New York, Dee Snider, Eddie Ojeda , and I have called ourselves Twisted Sister and have remained side-by-side for nearly five decades, through countless lineup changes and thousands of performances,” he said. “We are proud to celebrate a milestone that once seemed unthinkable: a 50th anniversary!! We have created a musical and performative legacy that has inspired and will continue to inspire millions of fans around the world. Twisted forever, forever Twisted!”
Guitarist Eddie Ojeda added: "Fifty years later, Twisted Sister is still the soundtrack for every rebel with a reason and a motive to turn up the volume."
Lead singer Dee Snider is the most enthusiastic: “If you’re lucky enough to be in a band that people still want to see after fifty years(!), how can you not answer the call? In 2026, TWISTED Fucking SISTER will be hitting stages around the world because WE STILL WANT TO ROCK!!”
The band will take to the stage around the world in 2026, with the return of Joe “Seven” Franco on drums, a former Twisted Sister member who last recorded and performed with the band in 1987 on the album and tour Love Is For Suckers . Russell Pzütto will be the bassist, who has previously performed with the band and participated in tours for Dee Snider's solo projects.
Tour dates and details will be announced soon.
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