Died On This Date (March 20, 2015) A.J. Pero / Adrenaline Mob; Twisted Sister
Anthony “A.J.” Pero
October 14, 1959 – March 20, 2015
A.J. Pero was a hard-hitting American drummer who is best remembered for his many years playing with Twister Sister, as well as his recent years behind the drums for Adrenaline Mob. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Pero took to the drums at an early age, and by the time he was in high school, he was playing in local bands. In 1982, he joined Twisted Sister who, within two years, became one of the biggest bands in the world thanks to their hook-laden loud teen anthems and MTV-perfect videos. Although Twisted Sister cringed at the “glam metal” moniker many placed on them, they were heavily influenced by such ’70s glam acts as KISS, New York Dolls, and Alice Cooper. Pero left to group in 1986, but returned for periodic reunions, and then permanently rejoined the group when they officially reformed in 2003. In 2013, while still playing with Twisted Sister, he joined Adrenaline Mob, another hard and heavy band formed and fronted by Russell Allen of Symphony X fame. It was while touring with Adrenaline Mob that A.J. Pero died of a heart attack on March 20, 2015. He was 55 years old.