Twisted Sister have announced a 50th anniversary world tour set for 2026, but fans will notice a significant change to the lineup.
The hair metal legends will embark on their first tour since their supposed farewell run in 2016, but longtime bassist Mark Mendoza will not be part of the reunion.
The upcoming tour will feature the group’s three core members who have remained constant through nearly five decades: frontman Dee Snider, founding guitarist Jay Jay French, and lead guitarist Eddie Ojeda, with Joe Franco handling the drums.
Franco previously played with Twisted Sister during the mid-80s, most notably on the 1987 album Love Is for Suckers. There is however, the glaring absence of Mendoza, who joined the band in 1978 and remained through their commercial peak and 2000s revival — a notable lineup change for the reunion.
French addressed Mendoza’s departure in a statement to Rolling Stone, explaining “Me, Dee and Eddie have performed as Twisted Sister for nearly 50 years with 10 different bass players and drummers. The band has never discussed internal realignment before and has no intention of doing it now.”
“Suffice to say that almost all bands with a 50 year history have gone through realignment as a byproduct of time. We wish Mark well in his future endeavours.” Taking over the bass duties on tour is Russell Pzütto, who performed with Twisted Sister before and has been part of Snider’s solo project touring bands.
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Aside from a 2023 performance during their induction into the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame, the band had maintained a firm stance against reunions following their 2016 40 and Fuck It farewell tour, but as reported by Ultimate Classic Rock, Snider hinted at changing attitudes during a podcast appearance in 2024.
There’s certainly enthusiasm in his announcement statement: “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 hit stages around the world because we still wanna rock!”
Frencha added: “Beginning on February 2, 1976 in a little bar called The Turtleneck Inn in Hunter Mountain, New York, Dee Snider, Eddie Ojeda and I have called ourselves Twisted Sister and stood shoulder to shoulder for nearly five decades, through multiple personnel changes and thousands of performances. We are proud to celebrate a milestone that once felt unthinkable: A 50-year anniversary! We have created a music and performance legacy that has and will continue to inspire millions of fans around the world. Twisted Forever, Forever Twisted!”
While Twisted Sister have confirmed the world tour will take place in 2026, they have not yet revealed specific dates, cities, or ticket information for the anniversary run.
