The family of late Twisted Sister drummer AJ Pero have launched a crowdfunding campaign to ask fans for assistance with some short-term bills following his death on March 20.
The drummer died of a heart attack in his sleep in Poughkeepsie, NY at the age of 55 while on tour with Adrenaline Mob.
Pero’s longtime girlfriend, Michele Agnello, is now reaching out to fans as she and his 14-year-old daughter, Brianna, need some assistance with their bills during this difficult time.
“Due to his unexpected and untimely passing, we now need a little help getting on our feet, to keep our home, basically start over without him,” Agnello writes on GoFundMe. “AJ truly loved and appreciated his worldwide fans so now we are reaching out to you all. For almost 20 years, AJ has been the sole provider for our family as the drummer in the legendary rock band Twisted Sister and had recently joined the band Adrenaline Mob.
“This is very hard for me to ask for help but at the moment we have nowhere else to turn,” she continues. “Since we weren't legally married and he had no will, we are left with nothing and the bills are starting to pour in already this month. I have been unemployed for several years now due to an accident that left me disabled with 2 broken elbows and subsequently rods had to be implanted.”
“I am asking for your assistance in helping us so I can get my daughter through this incredibly heartbreaking and difficult time in our lives,” adds Agnello. “With my head held low and my heart completely shattered, I ask for your help so we can keep our home, I can feed my daughter and buy her clothes until I find a job to support us.
“Anything you can spare would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless you all!”
In the first two days of the campaign, supporters have raised almost $5,000 of the campaign’s $15,000 goal.
Full details are available at GoFundMe.com
Pero was a member of Twisted Sister from 1982-1986, 1997 and from 2001 forward. The drummer joined Adrenaline Mob in 2013 following a split with Mike Portnoy.
Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French recently confirmed the group will perform its contracted concert dates in 2015 with the help of a professional drummer following Pero’s passing.
See also:
Twisted Sister to perform 2015 shows following AJ Pero’s death
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Dee Snider says Twisted Sister will continue following AJ Pero’s death
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