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TWISTED SISTER Drummer A.J. Pero Dies Aged 55
March 20th, 2015

A.J. Pero, drummer for New York-based hard rock group Twisted Sister, died on March 20th, 2015 at the age of 55. Pero was on tour with American heavy metal supergroup Adrenaline Mob – his other preoccupation – when members of that outfit were unable to rouse him awake on their bus. Taken to a hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York, he died from heart failure.

The surviving members of Twisted Sister issued the following statement: “The members of Twisted Sister are profoundly saddened to announce the untimely passing of our brother, A.J. Pero. The band, crew and most importantly the family of A.J. Pero thank you for your thoughts and prayers at this time.”

Anthony Jude Pero appeared on all of Twisted Sister’s six full-lengths, namely Under The Blade (1982), You Can’t Stop Rock ’N’ Roll (1983), Stay Hungry (1984), Come Out And Play (1985), Love Is For Suckers (1987), and A Twisted Christmas (2006). Third full-length Stay Hungry – a multi-platinum affair – spawned the Gold singles ‘I Wanna Rock’ and ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’.

Pero joined Twisted Sister in 1982 following his departure from Cities, a local New York ensemble. He ultimately rejoined Cities in 1986 following his exit from Twisted Sister, Cities disbanding in 1987. Twisted Sister also disbanded in 1987, properly reforming in 2003 – a line-up Pero remained with until his passing.

As a member of Adrenaline Mob, Pero recorded the albums Omertà (2012) and Men Of Honor (2014).

Adrenaline Mob issued the following statement: “We write this with tears in our eyes and our hearts broken to pieces.. our beloved brother AJ Pero peacefully passed away in his sleep this morning on the bus. We are in complete shock and our hearts and prayers go out to his family. It has been nothing short of an honour to have shared the stage with such a beautiful soul and legend! We love you AJ, rest in peace.”