POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (CelebrityAccess) — Longtime Twisted Sister drummer A.J. Pero has died, according to an announcement on the band's website. He was 55 at the time of his passing.
According to the Associated Press, Pero was found unresponsive on a tour bus, while on the road with his side project Adrenaline Mob, in Poughkeepsie, New York and later died of a an apparent heart attack.
Pero joined the heavy metal band in 1981 and performed with the group until 1986. In 1997, he rejoined the group for their reunion and performed with them until his death.
He also performed with groups such as the Ozzy Osbourne cover band No More Tears, and Cities, a regional band based out of New York.
“Today I lost a brother. Anthony Jude Pero passed away. A.J. was 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. His sledgehammer assault on the drums helped drive Twisted Sister and I to greatness and inspired me to rock every single show. My heart breaks knowing I will never feel the power of his beat behind me, or turn to see his face smiling broadly from the sheer joy he got from doing what he loved. I will always remember that smile. RIP my friend," Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider said in a post on the band's website. – Staff Writers
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