Jay Jay French has insisted Twisted Sister fans will decide whether or not Sebastian Bach is a suitable replacement for Dee Snider.
The We’re Not Gonna Take It guitarist has opened up on the iconic band’s line-up change earlier this year after they revealed Snider was suffering from degenerative arthritis, with the former Skid Row frontman stepping in for their upcoming 50th anniversary tour – their first reunion in a decade.
Speaking on the Rock ‘N’ Blues Experience, French said: “Freddie Mercury, greatest vocalist in the history of the world, can never be replaced. Guess what? They got a guy [Adam Lambert] from The Voice [to replace him].
“Steve Perry, greatest singer in the history of the world. Guess what? They got a guy [Arnel Pineda] from YouTube [to replace him].
“I’m just saying, we got a guy whose pedigree is metal, who’s a legitimate artist with platinum records. A phenomenally talented human being.
“And, of course, now the public is gonna ultimately decide. They decide. If the public likes it, they like it.”
The announcement was divisive, but French has insisted Bach was “the only person that do it”.
He added: “He’s the only larger-than-life guy with the chops and the stage presence to do it.”
French explained that after spending eight hours in rehearsals, he had “no doubts how great it’s gonna be”.
Despite many fans arguing that the band shouldn’t reunite without a frontman many fans regard as irreplaceable.
But French said: “It’s either gonna work, or it’s not gonna work. The public buys it or they don’t buy it.”
French and Eddie Ojeda have introduced Bach as their new frontman back in February, saying he has Snider’s seal of approval.
They said in a statement: “Twisted Sister members Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda are thrilled to announce that iconic vocalist and frontman Sebastian Bach will be fronting the band for a handful of select dates this fall. These appearances do not affect or conflict with Sebastian’s current or future solo touring schedule, which remains fully intact.”
Bach reacted with a long, emotional statement, opening with: “I am the lead singer of Twisted Sister. I keep saying that over and over to myself and anybody else who will listen.”
He said he is “absolutely honoured and overjoyed to pay tribute to the legacy of some of my favourite music and musicians of my whole life!”
He added that he called Snider before the news broke: “We were both kind of emotional on the phone. I know I was a little bit teary-eyed because I have nothing but respect for Dee, and I have always been a fan and a friend of Dee, Suzette and his wonderful family.”
After speculation about his condition, Snider addressed the rumours directly on his House of Hair radio show.
He said: “I’m not dying! No, not never; I mean, we’re all dying, but not immediately.”
He added: “The rumours 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. Alright? Otherwise I’m alive and well. I’m enjoying life.”
