House of Hair with Dee Snider/Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
Dee Snider wants fans to know that he's "not dying" amid his struggles with arthritis and heart issues
The Twisted Sister lead singer took to his House of Hair radio show to dispel rumors that he is near death following the cancellation of the band's 50th anniversary tour
Snider will continue to host his radio show and work on other projects, but tells fans they won't "see me on the stage kicking ass like I used to, because that will mess me up"
Dee Snideris setting the record straight about his health.
The Twisted Sister lead singer took to hisHouse of Hairradio show to dispel rumors about the severity of his health issues following the cancelation of the band's 50th anniversary tour.
"I'm not dying! No, not never. I mean, we're all dying, but not immediately," said Snider, 70, who is dealing with arthritis and unspecified heart issues,in a Facebook clipshared on Saturday, Feb. 14.
He continued, "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. 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."
Elyse Jankowski/Getty
Twisted Sister officiallycanceled their previously planned 50th anniversary touron Feb. 5, which was set to feature three of the band's longest-serving members: Snider, founding guitarist Jay Jay French, and longtime guitarist Eddie Ojeda. The run would have been their first since their 2016 40th anniversary tour, Forty and F— It.
"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," The band said in a statement. "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."
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In the Feb. 14 clip, Snider says he'll remain active and continue to host his radio show, and is even directing a film, but you won't catch him on stage.
"The truth of the matter is, I don't want you to see me up there being less than you expect me to be," he said. "You won't see me on the stage kicking ass like I used to, because that will mess me up,"
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The rocker even threw some playful shade at country legendWillie Nelson, who continues to perform into his 90s.
"You got memories of the great shows that I did, that's what I want to leave you with," said Snider. "Not me standing up there like Willie Nelson. Nothing wrong with Willie, 95 years old, in a wheelchair. I went out rockin', I'm still rockin' here, I ain't stopping. I got a lot of life to live. My dad is 95 and still kicking, so I'm expecting to be around for a long time."
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