After yet another death in the metal community, Twisted Sister were unsure where to turn next. Tragically drummer A.J. Pero died recently and not only have left the band in tatters but also Pero‘s family. With the man leaving behind two ex wives, four children and a longtime girlfriend the drummer clearly has a lot of people that now need to be looked after. Aiming to try and remedy the situation in the short term the band have announced that they will be holding two shows not only in memory of Pero but also in order to help everyone that he has left behind.
Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider spoke out :
“This is the unfortunate reality of irresponsible adult behaviour. Not only did A.J. Pero have a family history of heart disease, which he allowed to go unchecked, but he did not have a will, left behind two ex-wives, a longtime girlfriend, four children between the three of them, and a mess of an estate to be sorted out. Now, there is infighting, mistrust and dissension amongst the family members about how to handle life after AJ. What a mess. While the legalities of the situation are being sorted out, Twisted Sister is doing a show to raise some money to help the family out in the short-term. This unfortunate situation should be a life lesson to all to take responsibility for the world we create and will leave behind when we are gone”
Though some may not agree with the delivery of the singer, he has every right to say it. A tragedy though it may be, there are so many others that are now picking up the pieces after Pero‘s passing. Without leaving a will he has essentially left no help for perhaps some who needed it most. In order to help the band will perform a show at the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey on Saturday 13th of June under the name of “A Concert To Honour AJ Pero”. The second show will take place at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on the 30th of May. This show will be filmed so that Twisted Sister fans that couldn’t make it will be able to see it.
In even more news though is that the band have decided to call it a day officially. Announcing that there will be a farewell tour, with Mike Portnoy to be a stand in drummer for the band. Commemorating not only the passing of the drummer but also their fortieth anniversary as a band. The Forty and Fuck It tour comprised of most of the classic Twisted Sister line up.
More news as and when we have it. Though it may be sad to see the passing of Pero at least the band have seemed to tie things to retain the most sincere memories possible for the band.