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
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.
Joe Markowski was a respected drummer who is perhaps best remembered for playing with Twisted Sister for about a year starting in 1981. Markowski was also an in-demand drum teacher who, over the course of his career, tutored the likes of Bobby Rondinelli who played for Black Sabbath and Rainbow, and Joe Franco of Twisted Sister. Joe Markowski was 57 when he passed away on April 14, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Geoff Workman was a record producer and engineer who was partly responsible for some of rock’s greatest albums during the ’70s and ’80s. He began his career working with King Crimson in 1970. Over the course of his career he either engineered or produced some of rock’s most celebrated releases. That list includes Motley Crue’s Shout at the Devil, Journey’s Infinity and Departure, the Cars’ self-titled debut and Candy-O, Queen’s Jazz, Foreigner’s Head Games, and Twisted Sister’s Stay Hungry. His credits also include recordings by, to name a few, Toto, Jason & the Scorchers, Sammy Hagar, Dwight Twilley, and Tommy Tutone. Geoff Workman passed away peacefully in his home on January 28, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released.