A.J. Pero, a longtime drummer for the metal band Twisted Sister, has died, the band posted on its Facebook page.
“The members of Twisted Sister are profoundly saddened to announce the untimely passing of our brother, AJ Pero,” said the post. “The band, crew and most importantly the family of AJ Pero thank you for your thoughts and prayers at this time.”
Pero was 55.
The drummer died Friday, according to a tweet from Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider.
The cause of death was not released.
Pero joined Twisted Sister, best known for its 1984 song “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and accompanying comedic video, in 1982. Though he left for a time in 1987 to join another band, he reunited with Twisted Sister in the 1990s and was with the band for the past 12 years, according to Loudwire.com.
In the “We’re Not Gonna Take It” video, which also starred “Animal House’s” Mark Metcalf, Pero can be seen in concert, hitting a drum that brings up a cloud of glitter.
In recent years, he was also the drummer for the band Adrenaline Mob.
