The 55-year-old drummer was reportedly found unresponsive during a tour with the band Adrenaline Mob.
- Mar 21, 2015
AceShowbiz - Twisted Sister is losing one of its members. The band's drummer A. J. Pero has passed away at the age of 55 of an apparent heart attack. The band confirmed the sad news with a statement posted on Facebook, "The members of Twisted Sister are profoundly saddened to announce the untimely passing of our brother, AJ Pero. The band, crew and most importantly the family of AJ Pero thank you for your thoughts and prayers at this time."
According to the Associated Press, Pero was found unresponsive on a tour bus as he was touring with the band Adrenaline Mob. The Adrenaline Mob band members then called an ambulance and he was taken to a hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 11 A.M.
Twisted Sister's lead vocalist Dee Snider dubbed Pero "the final piece in a band that would become an international sensation and one of the greatest live rock acts to ever hit the stage." Guitarust Jay Jay French remembered Pero, "AJ Pero was a force, the likes of which I doubt I will ever have the chance to play in front of again. His drumming was legendary but his heart, as a human being, was even greater."
Another Twisted Sister member, Eddie "Fingers" Ojeda, said in a statement, "A.J. was a dear friend and brother to me, and in my opinion, one of the most talented drummers of all time. I will always remember the amazing experiences and great laughs we shared. A.J. always had an amazing sense of humor and did his best to please everyone he came in contact with."
Bassist Mark "The Animal" Mendoza said, "As anyone would be, I am devastated. With such a loss, even I broke down and cried, allegedly the tough guy in the band," before adding, "AJ was my band mate, my friend and my brother and I will miss him forever."
