Twisted Sister Drummer’s Estate Planning Didn’t Rock


When Twisted Sister drummer AJ Pero died on March 20, it caught his fans and bandmates by surprise — and Pero’s own lack of estate planning has reportedly thrown his family into chaos as well. Frontman Dee Snider has issued a typically frank statement to House of Hair, calling the situation “the unfortunate reality of irresponsible adult behavior” and using the aftermath of Pero’s death as a sobering reminder of what can happen when we don’t get our affairs in order while we still can.

“Not only did AJ 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,” said Snider in an article on the website ultimateclassicrock.com titled “Twisted Sister Drummer AJ Pero Died Without a Will.

Oh my.

Now, the article says there’s plenty of infighting, mistrust, and dissension among the family members about how to handle AJ’s estate. “What a mess.”

Twisted Sister was planning to retire as a band after a 40th anniversary tour, and is now trying to help AJ’s survivors. “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,” Snider remarked.

“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.”

Wow, did you catch Dee Snider’s great estate planning advice?

Take responsibility now and after we’re gone.

Although Pero’s longtime girlfriend started a GoFundMe campaign to help with expenses of the daughter she had with AJ, that site is no longer online.

It’s no secret that there’s major potential for disagreements after a loved one’s death—even when there is a will. Make sure that you speak to a qualified estate planning attorney to take responsibility for your family and avoid the headaches now facing the family of Twisted Sister’s late drummer.

For more information about estate planning, please visit my estate planning website.

Reference: ultimateclassicrock.com (April 8, 2015)“Twisted Sister Drummer AJ Pero Died Without a Will”