A. J. Pero
The thunderous, precise engine behind Twisted Sister's glam-metal anthems, driving 'We're Not Gonna Take It' into rock history.
1959–2015 (age 56)·American drummer·Birthday: October 14·Baby Boomers
Biography
A.J. Pero's drumming wasn't just about keeping time; it was a relentless, powerful assault that defined the backbone of 1980s heavy metal. Born in New York City, he cut his teeth in the hard-driving club scene before joining Twisted Sister in 1982. His muscular, no-frills style provided the perfect foundation for the band's anthemic, fist-pumping sound on breakthrough albums like 'Stay Hungry.' Tracks like 'We're Not Gonna Take It' and 'I Wanna Rock' were propelled by his solid, pounding grooves, which cut through the makeup and costumes with pure rock force. Pero was the steady, powerful metronome at the heart of the band's chaotic, theatrical live shows. After Twisted Sister's initial dissolution, he remained active, lending his talents to bands like Adrenaline Mob and playing with classic rock acts like Cities. His sudden passing in 2015 shocked the metal community, which remembered him as a dedicated, powerhouse musician whose work was essential to an era.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
A. was born in 1959, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When A. Was Born
The biggest hits of 1959
#1 Movie
Ben-Hur
Best Picture
Ben-Hur
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
A.'s Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1959Born
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1964Started school
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1972Became a teenager
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1975Could drive
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1977Could vote
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Turned 21
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1989Turned 30
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 40
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 50
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2015Died at 56
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
Key Achievements
- Was the drummer for Twisted Sister during their commercial peak, performing on the multi-platinum album 'Stay Hungry.'
- Played on all of Twisted Sister's major studio albums from 1982's 'You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll' to 1987's 'Love Is for Suckers.'
- Provided the driving drum track for the band's iconic hit singles 'We're Not Gonna Take It' and 'I Wanna Rock.'
- Toured and recorded with the heavy metal supergroup Adrenaline Mob following Twisted Sister's initial breakup.
Did You Know?
Before joining Twisted Sister, he was a member of the band Cities, which also featured future Twisted Sister guitarist Eddie Ojeda.
He was known for using a massive drum kit, particularly a large gong, in his live setup with Twisted Sister.
He was of Italian and Croatian descent.
In 2006, he participated in a partial Twisted Sister reunion for the 'Metal Masters' tour.
“My job is to hit hard and drive the band, not to show off.”
