Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider: ‘Irresponsible Behavior’ Led to Drummer A.J. Pero’s Death
Within the five stages of grief, Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider has made it past denial and into anger. In the video above, the frontman talked with TMZ about his frustration with their late drummer A.J. Pero, who died last month at the age of 55 from a massive heart attack. In the clip, Snider says that he is upset that Pero did nothing to detect, prevent or treat his heart disease.
"His father died in his early 60s of heart disease, and A.J. never had himself checked out and when they did the autopsy he had 95 percent blockage in four of his aortas, advanced heart disease and he didn't have to die," Snider told TMZ. "I basically feel like it's irresponsible behavior on his part."
Snider expressed a similar sentiment in a statement he issued to The House of Hair website. He wrote that he is angry that Pero did not have the foresight to check on his health or to get his finances and estate in order while he was alive. See his full statement below:
“This is the unfortunate reality of irresponsible adult behavior. 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.”
Twisted Sister have announced they will be playing two tribute shows for Pero, one will take place on June 13 at the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey, which is believed to be the fundraising show. They also announced a May 30, Las Vegas gig in honor of the drummer. That concert will be at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and will be filmed for broadcast.
In a press release yesterday, Twisted Sister announced that Mike Portnoy will replace Pero on all of their remaining 2015 shows. They also announced that their touring career will end after a 2016 farewell tour.
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