A. J. Pero
| Anthony Jude Pero | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Anthony Jude Pero |
| Born |
October 14, 1959 Staten Island, New York, United States |
| Died | March 20, 2015 (aged 55) |
| Genres | Heavy metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums, percussion, vocals |
| Years active | 1978–2015 |
| Associated acts |
Twisted Sister Cities Circle Of Thorns The Foundry Adrenaline Mob TT Quick TRED Blaze Bayley |
Anthony Jude "A.J." Pero (October 14, 1959 – March 20, 2015) was an American drummer, in American heavy metal bands Twisted Sister and Adrenaline Mob.[1]
Biography
Pero went to St. Peter's Boys High School in Staten Island, but left because the faculty made him cut his hair. He then went to New Dorp High School and graduated in 1977. He was initially a jazz drummer, later gravitating to heavier music akin to Rush and Led Zeppelin. Pero worked as a taxi driver for a time, and joined Cities, a local New York City band. He joined Twisted Sister in 1981, after seeing them play at a club and being told they were in need of a drummer. Upon his departure from Twisted Sister in 1986, he re-joined Cities. He participated in the band's 1997 reunion and continued to perform with Twisted Sister until his death.
He was also a member of Ozzy Osbourne cover band, No More Tears, which was well known around Staten Island, New York.
In 2007, Pero formed Circle Of Thorns with former Cities guitarist Steve Mironovich aka Steve Irons.[2]
In 2011, Pero played drums on a song titled "Elephant Man" on the Eric Carr CD Unfinished Business.
On December 3, 2013, Pero was announced as the new drummer of the band Adrenaline Mob.[3]
On March 20, 2015, Adrenaline Mob's band members attempted, but failed to wake Pero on their tour bus. The band was traveling from Baltimore to Poughkeepsie. Pero was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead from an apparent heart attack.[4][5] In 2017, the band released their third studio album , We the People, containing Pero's last recording: a cover of Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell".[6]
References
- ↑ "Cities Featuring Twisted Sister Drummer: Annihilation Absolute Reissued On CD". Blabbermouth. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on 8 November 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ↑ "Circle of Thorns | Circle of Thorns | CD Baby Music Store". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ↑ "ADRENALINE MOB Recruits TWISTED SISTER Drummer, Signs With CENTURY MEDIA". Blabbermouth. December 3, 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- ↑ "A.J. Pero dies at 55; drummer for heavy metal band Twisted Sister". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 20, 2015.
- ↑ "Twisted Sister Drummer A.J. Pero Dies At 55". Blabbermouth.net. March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ↑ Small, Aaron (3 June 2017). "Adrenaline Mob – We The People". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
External links
- A. J. Pero at AllMusic
- A. J. Pero discography at Discogs
- A. J. Pero on IMDb
- A. J. Pero at Find a Grave