Twisted Sister drummer AJ Pero died of heart attack, say band

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/24/twisted-sister-drummer-aj-pero-died-of-heart-attack

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AJ Pero, drummer for the heavy-metal band Twisted Sister, died of a suspected heart attack in his sleep, according to his bandmate Dee Snider.

The longtime drummer with the band died aged 55 on 20 March. “[AJ] was on tour with a band called Adrenaline Mob, and he had a massive heart attack in his sleep,” Snider told the website X17. “It’s very sad.”

When asked if the group would replace him, the singer said: “I mean, will we continue to play? Probably … because his family will benefit from us playing, financially.” Snider added: “The band is heartbroken.”

Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French also confirmed the news. He said that Pero was on a tour bus in New York when his other band, Adrenaline Mob, tried to wake him, then called an ambulance. He was declared dead in hospital just after 11am EST.

“AJ Pero was a force, the likes of which I doubt I will ever have the chance to play in front of again. His drumming was legendary, but his heart … was even greater,” French wrote in a statement. “He will always be the engine that drove the train. I loved him, and today my heart has been ripped out.”

Pero joined Twisted Sister on drums in 1982. He left four years later, but rejoined in 1997, and played on six of the group’s seven studio albums. As well as hosting drum seminars, Pero performed in the metal supergroup the Foundry with members of Iron Maiden and Disturbed.