The mother of longtime Twisted Sister drummer A.J. Pero has died. The band announced the death of Beatrice Pero on its official website. Pero's page also announced the death, adding that she died on Monday (Jan. 21).

"Beatrice Pero was AJs best friend who he loved and cared for every day. She will be dearly missed by all. Rest in peace Mrs. Pero," the note from "Webmaster Gabe" reads at AJPero.com. It was his mother and father who bought Anthony Jude Pero his first drum kit at the age of four.

Pero has been involved with the many reconfigurations of Twisted Sister since the early '80s, including their commercial peak with 'We're Not Gonna Take It' in 1984. Blabbermouth points out that off stage the drummer is a national spokesperson for Fallen Blue, an organization created to provide support for families of police offiers killed outside the line of duty.

Fans can express their sympathies to Pero through the official Twisted Sister Facebook page or the drummer's page on Twitter.

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