Anthony Jude "A.J." Pero, drummer for heavy metal band Twisted Sister, passed away due to a heart attack on a tour bus last March 20, according to Associated Press via People Magazine.

Pero was on tour with his other band, the 'Adrenaline Mob', which he played between gigs with Twisted Sister.

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The 55 year old drummer was on the tour bus last Friday when he was found by his 'Adrenaline Mob' band mates unconscious.

They tried means to rouse him but to no avail, Pero was eventually brought to a hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he was pronounced dead briefly after eleven in the morning, according to Twisted Sister Guitarist Jay French, AOL News reports.

"In the Twisted Sister world, he was always affectionately known as the new guy. That is how long and deep our history was. In our heart he will always be the engine that drove the train. I loved him and today my heart has been ripped out," said French, through the official band page.

"Today, I lost a brother. Anthony Jude passed away. A.J. was the final piece in the band that would become an international sensation and one of the greatest live acts to ever hit the stage. His sledgehammer assault on the drums helped drive Twisted Sister and I to greatness and inspired me to rock every single show," said Dee Snider, front man of Twisted Sister, through their official Facebook page.

"My heart breaks knowing I will never feel the power of his beat behind me, or turn to see his face smiling broadly from the sheer joy he got from doing what he loved. I will always remember that smile. RIP my friend," he further added.

In 1982, at the peak of the glam metal popularity, Pero joined Twisted Sister in his early 20s.

The band was standout from the heavy metal bands at that time such as Poison and Motley Crue, since they wore heavy makeup and feminine clothing. Twisted Sister was considered glam metal for their representation, though the band considers this label as inappropriate.

Six albums and four world tours later, he continued his career as the band's drummer and openly participated in drum clinics.

Twisted Sister is still considering on what to do in their upcoming summer tours.

TagsA.J. Pero, drummer, Twisted Sister, Dies, heart attack