Drummers are known to keep time and beat the pulse of a band’s rhythmic movement. Drummer A.J. Pero of Twisted Sister died suddenly and too soon at the age of 55.

Us Weekly reports that band members are “profoundly saddened to announce the untimely passing of our brother, AJ Pero.” The band released the statement via Facebook on Friday, March 20, after discovering their beloved friend had passed of an apparent heart attack.

According to the Associated Press, Pero was found “unresponsive while touring with the band Adrenaline Mob.” He was then taken to hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York, and pronounced dead of a heart attack.

A seminal band of the 80s and 90s, Pero had played with Twisted Sister for decades. A veteran musician with additional ties to the band Cities, Pero was a valued drummer on the music scene.

Originally from Staten Island, N.Y., Pero joined Twisted Sister in ’82, just before the band made it big as a heavy metal sensation, after nearly a decade of playing small clubs. Known for their glam costumes and wild makeup, Twisted Sister burst on the scene with theatricality and panache. Pero was best known for a scene in the video of 1984’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” in which he strikes a snare drum covered with glitter, sending it off into the air.

Frontman Dee Snider shared, “Today I lost a brother. Anthony Jude Pero passed away. A.J. was the final piece in a band that would become an international sensation and one of the greatest live rock 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.” He goes on to share his personal heartbreak over the los of his “brother” and how he feels that A.J. passed too soon.

Other members of the band shared their disbelief and heartache over the loss of their friend and band mate.

Guitarist Eddie Ojeda, on behalf of his family wrote, “At this time, my sincerest sympathies go out to his family. Heaven just got a great drummer, one that will live forever in our hearts.”

The beat goes on, A.J. There’s glitter in the air.