Twisted Sister’s 50th Anniversary Tour: A Reunion Without Mark Mendoza
## Twisted Sister’s 50th Anniversary Reunion
Hair metal legends Twisted Sister are gearing up for a reunion next year to commemorate their 50th anniversary, though they will be missing longtime bassist Mark Mendoza.
### Key Details of the Reunion Tour
While the announcement has fans buzzing with excitement, specifics such as tour dates and city stops remain under wraps. This upcoming tour will be Twisted Sister’s first since 2016, when they wrapped up their “40 and F*** It” farewell tour. The band did briefly regroup in 2023 to celebrate their induction into the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame.
### Core Lineup for the Tour
The reunion will feature the band’s three essential members: frontman Dee Snider, founding guitarist Jay Jay French, and longtime lead guitarist Eddie Ojeda. Joe Franco will take over on drums; he previously played with Twisted Sister in the mid-Eighties, contributing to their 1987 album *Love Is for Suckers*. Mike Portnoy filled in for the band’s last drummer, A.J. Pero, after his passing during the 2016 tour, and he also joined Twisted Sister at the 2023 Hall of Fame event.
### Changes in the Lineup
The most significant change for this reunion is the absence of Mendoza, who joined the band in 1978 and played a pivotal role during their Eighties rise and subsequent 2000s resurgence, culminating in the 2016 farewell tour. In his place, Russell Pzütto will handle bass duties. Pzütto has previously collaborated with Twisted Sister and has been part of Dee Snider’s solo projects.
### Reflecting on the Reunion
Previously, Twisted Sister had committed to a “no more reunions” policy, but Snider hinted during a podcast last year that their stance might be shifting. In a statement about the upcoming tour, he expressed, “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!”
French shared his excitement as well, stating, “Since February 2, 1976, Dee Snider, Eddie Ojeda, and I have been proud to call ourselves Twisted Sister. To celebrate our 50th anniversary is a milestone that once felt impossible. We’ve built a musical legacy that inspires millions. Twisted Forever, Forever Twisted!”
### What’s Next for Twisted Sister?
As fans eagerly await more details about the reunion tour, it raises the question: What songs are you most excited to hear live from Twisted Sister?
