Twisted Sister announce farewell gigs following drummer's death

Metal act Twisted Sister will pay tribute to their late drummer, AJ Pero, with a series of farewell shows in 2016, the band said on 8 April in a statement.

After Pero died of a suspected heart attack in his sleep in March, remaining members Dee Snider, Jay Jay French, Eddie Ojeda, and Mark “The Animal” Mendoza say they have been contemplating the band’s future.

Today, the band announced that they would replace Pero with Mike Portnoy (of Dream Theater and Winery Dogs) for two tribute shows. The first will be at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and the second at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey. After this, there will be one last tour in 2016 before they call time on performing for good.

“Finally, Twisted Sister has made it official that 2016 will formally close the touring chapter of their illustrious and legendary career. The Forty and Fuck It farewell shows celebrates the band’s 40th anniversary with the core lineup of Snider, French, Ojeda and Mendoza,” the band said.

“Additionally, fulfilling all concert obligations that have been made for the remainder of 2015 (in several different countries), Twisted Sister want their fans to know all festival dates that they have been advertised as playing will happen.”

Jay Jay French formed Twisted Sister in 1972 with a lineup that evolved throughout the years, with Ojeda joining in 1975, Dee Snider in 1976 and Mendoza in 1978. Pero joined Twisted Sister in 1982 and left four years later, rejoining in 1997. He played on six of the group’s seven studio albums, including their biggest hit, 1984’s We’re Not Gonna Take It.