Died On This Date (March 20, 2015) A.J. Pero / Adrenaline Mob; Twisted Sister
themusicsover 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.
What You Should Own
Shadow Morton was a much-respected record producer whose contributions to popular music include producing and writing hits for the Shangri-Las. He was particularly adept at composing songs loaded with teen melodrama that became staples of the era. His song-writing hits for the Shangri-Las include “Leader of the Pack,” “Give Him a Great Big Kiss,” and “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” which happens to be the first song he ever wrote. With just those four songs alone, it’s easy to argue that without Morton, the ’60s girl-group phenomenon might never have happened. In 1967, he produced “Society’s Child,” a hit for Janis Ian. He also is credited for discovering Vanilla Fudge and producing their first three albums, which included their hit, “You Keep Me Hanging On.” The production of Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” is also given to Morton. During the ’70s, Morton worked with the New York Dolls, producing their second album, Too Much Too Soon. Shadow Morton died of cancer on February 14, 2013. He was 72.
Ritchie Teeter was a rock drummer who made is mark playing behind the Dictators during some of the band’s glory years. With a sound and vibe that was not that far removed from the Ramones, MC5, the Stooges, or the New York Dolls, the Dictators built a dedicated following that remains loyal to this day. Teeter joined the band following the release of their first album, Go Girl Crazy, and can be heard playing on 1977’s Manifest Destiny and 1978’s Bloodbrothers. Both are considered essential for any respectable early New York punk collection. Teeter went on to play in Twisted Sister in late 1980/early 1981, but never appeared on any of their albums. He did participate in later Dictator reunion shows, though not much is known about his more recent life. It appears that Teeter retired from the business some time ago, or he at least kept a very low profile. Ritchie Teeter was 61 when he died of esophageal cancer on April 10, 2012.
Mick Karn is perhaps best remembered as the bassist for British art-rock band, Japan during the late ’70s and early ’80s. The band, which also featured David Sylvian, Richard Barbieri, Steve Jansen and Rob Dean where one of the foundations on which the “New Romantic” movement was built – even though they fought to distance themselves from it. They fancied themselves more of the David Bowie, New York Dolls and T. Rex ilk. Albums like Gentlemen Take Polaroids and Tin Drum quickly established them as leaders of the alternative rock heap around the world. After the band broke up in 1982, Karn released several solo albums while collaborating with the likes of Midge Ure, Peter Murphy, Joan Armatrading, Gary Numan, and Kate Bush. He continued to record as recently as 2009. On January 4, 2011, Mick Karn died of a cancer that he had been battling for the previous several months. He was 52.
Known professionally as Arrow, Alphonsus Cassell was a highly resected West Indies Soca and Calypso singer-songwriter. Cassell was still a child when he began singing back in the mid-60s and by the time he was 18, he recorded his first record. In 1982, he released a song entitled “Hot Hot Hot,” which became the biggest selling Soca song in history. Five years later, the New York Doll’s David Johansen had a pop hit with it under his alterego of Buster Poindexter. Cassell continued to release hits through the ’80s and ’90s. He continued to perform through the later years of his life. On September 15, 2010, Alphonsus Cassell died of cancer at the age of 60.