Dee Snider Claims Bruce Dickinson Is to Blame for Failed Comeback Bid
Photo by SvenPaulus, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
A Conversation That Sparked an Idea
Dee Snider recently joked that a conversation with Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson helped convince him to try returning to the stage with Twisted Sister. The rock vocalist shared the story during an episode of the Beardo and Weirdo podcast while explaining why the idea of a comeback eventually fell apart.
Snider had already confirmed that he would not reunite with his bandmates for new shows ten years after the group retired. Health concerns played a major role in that choice, though he later supported the idea of Sebastian Bach stepping in to sing during the planned performances.
During the podcast, Snider explained that Dickinson reached out to him after hearing about his upcoming hip replacement surgery. The Iron Maiden frontman spoke about his own experience with the procedure, which left a strong impression on the Twisted Sister singer.
“I blame Bruce Dickinson,” Snider joked. “When I found out that my hip was shot… he reaches out to say, ‘Dee I’ve had it done twice.’ He goes,’’And I’m back in action … I’m thrusting, I’m parrying.’ … When I heard him say, ‘Okay, back in action 100 percent,’ I was like, ‘Alright, I could do this!’”
View this post on Instagram
Health Complications Change the Plan
As Snider prepared for surgery, doctors discovered another health concern that complicated matters. The singer said medical tests revealed a heart issue he had not previously known about, which forced doctors to rethink the situation.
“When I was going for the surgery I found out that I had a heart issue that I did not know about. And that was when they pulled the rug out from under me. And then I still, like an asshole, I got the hip!”
After the operation, Snider felt encouraged by the improvement in his mobility. The new hip made him believe he could return to performing, at least for short appearances. To test that idea, he joined guitarist Lita Ford onstage to perform a few songs.
At first the experience felt promising. Snider said he immediately noticed how strong the new hip felt when he stepped onto the stage and began moving around in front of the crowd.
“I walk out on stage and I’m going, ‘Damn, this thing feels good!’ I’m thrusting and I’m parrying – bounce, bounce, bounce – and the knee goes. Three bounces, knee goes.”
Family Urges Him to Step Back
The knee injury reminded Snider of a warning his surgeon had given him earlier. Doctors had explained that replacing the hip would not fully restore the type of movement he once had during his most active years as a performer.
“And I’m just hearing that surgeon going, ‘You’re done. You’re done. You’re done.’”
After undergoing treatment for the knee, Snider began questioning whether returning to the stage was worth the physical risk. He admitted he asked himself if he should keep pushing his body or focus on enjoying his life away from touring.
“Day to day I’m living my best life … I built a family compound in North Carolina. I’ve got all my kids, my wife, my grandkids, everybody here. … But for my ego, do I really need to get up there on stage and prove I could do it one more time?”
Snider said his family eventually convinced him that stepping back was the right choice.
“My family literally had to sit down with me and pretty much beg me to stop. … My kids, they’re like, ‘Why are you doing this? What you got to prove? It’s not a financial thing for you. You’ve got everything that you ever dreamed of, everything you wanted. It’s pure ego.’”
