Heavy-metal band Twisted Sister mourns the passing of its legendary drummer, A.J. Pero at the age of 55.
The shocking news was confirmed when the rock band released an official statement on their Facebook page.
"The members of Twisted Sister are profoundly saddened to announce the untimely passing of our brother, AJ Pero."
The band's front man, Dee Snider, also a known radio personality and screenwriter, expressed his grief with a tweet that reads, "My friend, my brother, my band mate passed away today. My heart is broken. RIP A.J. Pero."
The lead singer also said, "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 form doing what he loved.
Snider talked about how spectacular his friend was and called him as "one of the greatest live rock acts to ever hit the stage".
The band said that Pero apparently succumbed from a heart attack while on tour with Adrenaline Mob, the other band he plays for in, between stints with Twisted Sister.
Jay Jay French, guitarist of the group, told AP that Pero passed away peacefully in his bunk on Adrenaline Mob's tour bus. An ambulance was called after band members were not able to wake him up.
Pero's long time agent, Dan Stanton, also confirmed the news to CNN.
The drummer was brought to a hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York but was pronounced dead a little around 11 a.m. on Friday.
French considered Pero both as a friend and legend. He also described how the drive of the late performer inspired the band's sound.
Heavy-metal band Twisted Sister mourns the passing of its legendary drummer, A.J. Pero at the age of 55.
The shocking news was confirmed when the rock band released an official statement on their Facebook page.
"The members of Twisted Sister are profoundly saddened to announce the untimely passing of our brother, AJ Pero."
The band's front man, Dee Snider, also a known radio personality and screenwriter, expressed his grief with a tweet that reads, "My friend, my brother, my band mate passed away today. My heart is broken. RIP A.J. Pero."
The lead singer also said, "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 form doing what he loved.
Snider talked about how spectacular his friend was and called him as "one of the greatest live rock acts to ever hit the stage".
The band said that Pero apparently succumbed from a heart attack while on tour with Adrenaline Mob, the other band he plays for in, between stints with Twisted Sister.
Jay Jay French, guitarist of the group, told AP that Pero passed away peacefully in his bunk on Adrenaline Mob's tour bus. An ambulance was called after band members were not able to wake him up.
Pero's long time agent, Dan Stanton, also confirmed the news to CNN.
The drummer was brought to a hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York but was pronounced dead a little around 11 a.m. on Friday.
French considered Pero both as a friend and legend. He also described how the drive of the late performer inspired the band's sound.
Born in Staten Island, New York, A.J. Pero had been in the music scene for decades. He started performing with Twisted Sister in 1982 while in his 20s. Although he left the group in 1986, they were reunited in 1997 and stayed on to wow audience in the heavy-metal scene.
In a 1984 video of "We're Not Gonna Take It", Pero had his snare drum covered with glitters, creating a scene close to magic. An act that made a mark in his career.
The New York-based band's hits include "I Wanna Rock" and have four world tours as well as six gold albums with Pero behind the drums.Born in Staten Island, New York, A.J. Pero had been in the music scene for decades. He started performing with Twisted Sister in 1982 while in his 20s. Although he left the group in 1986, they were reunited in 1997 and stayed on to wow audience in the heavy-metal scene.
In a 1984 video of "We're Not Gonna Take It", Pero had his snare drum covered with glitters, creating a scene close to magic. An act that made a mark in his career.
The New York-based band's hits include "I Wanna Rock" and have four world tours as well as six gold albums with Pero behind the drums.