by Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French recently shared his thoughts on the future of ’80s metal music, offering a sobering perspective on the genre’s twilight years in an interview with The Jacob Buehrer Show.
French reflected on the physical challenges facing many of his contemporaries when asked about his feelings regarding Twisted Sister’s reunion tour. He also discussed what that means for the era of music they represent.
“Now, it just unfortunately happens that a lot of our peers are not doing well physically,” French said. “A lot of bands are basically falling by the wayside due to health issues. So unfortunately our genre of music is fading out and the whole metal ’80s thing is fading out. In another couple years it will be gone.”
French drew a parallel between his generation of metal bands and the legacy of classic rock icons. He suggested that these tours represent a final connection to a bygone era.
“So this will be the end of that era and another era will come up,” he continued. “Maybe the grunge era will come up but the Poison, Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Judas Priest, you know, that whole, you know Black Sabbath era, it’s all going. So it’s like the Stones are the last connection to the Beatles. So people go see the Stones for better or worse whether you like them or not like them, you know.”
“Well, we’re the last bit of ’80s, so there’s a bit of that,” French added. “There’s a bit of bittersweet. But I’m looking forward to it.”
French expressed optimism about the upcoming reunion performances despite the melancholic tone of his observations.
French’s comments come as Twisted Sister prepares for a significant milestone in their career. Blabbermouth reported that the band officially retired from touring in 2016 but announced a reunion for their 50th anniversary tour set to launch in 2026.
The reunion will feature the core lineup of Dee Snider on vocals, Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda on guitars, Joe “Seven” Franco on drums, and Russell Pzütto on bass, replacing longtime bassist Mark Mendoza. 98 Rock noted that the band will mark their anniversary with global tour dates, starting notably at the Barcelona Rock Fest in July 2026.
The band’s history has been marked by both triumph and tragedy. Former Twisted Sister drummer A.J. Pero died in 2015 at age 55. This loss underscored the health challenges French referenced in his recent comments. The upcoming tour will see Joe Franco filling in on drums as the band celebrates five decades of their legacy.
The current state of ’80s metal tours suggests the scene remains vibrant despite French’s somber predictions about the genre’s future. Q94.5 All Rock highlighted that Twisted Sister’s upcoming participation in major festivals like Barcelona Rock Fest 2026, alongside bands such as Accept, Helloween, and Powerwolf, reflects the continued vitality of the touring scene for legacy metal acts.
Fan demand and a desire to celebrate five decades of their legacy drove the decision to reunite. This revival blends nostalgia with modern festival culture. It shows that ’80s metal bands still draw significant audiences worldwide, even as the original architects of the genre acknowledge the inevitable passage of time.
