Nick Menza, Former Megadeth Drummer, Dies On Stage at 51
Former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza suffered a sudden death Saturday night after collapsing on stage during a gig in Los Angeles.
He was 51.
The thrash metal drummer passed out three songs into a show with his band OMH at the Baked Potato club.
Paramedics couldn’t revive him and a cause of death has not been released.
Menza joined Megadeth in 1989 and stayed until 1998, putting him in what fans called the "classic" version of the band's ever-changing lineup.
He drummed on four of the band's best loved albums, including “Rust in Peace” and “Youthanasia.”
"Tell me this isn't true," Megadeth's frontman Dave Mustaine tweeted.
Ex-Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman called Menza a "great and unique drummer" who was also "a trustworthy friend, a hilarious bandmate, as well as a very loving dad."
He was 51.
The thrash metal drummer passed out three songs into a show with his band OMH at the Baked Potato club.
Paramedics couldn’t revive him and a cause of death has not been released.
Menza joined Megadeth in 1989 and stayed until 1998, putting him in what fans called the "classic" version of the band's ever-changing lineup.
He drummed on four of the band's best loved albums, including “Rust in Peace” and “Youthanasia.”
"Tell me this isn't true," Megadeth's frontman Dave Mustaine tweeted.
Ex-Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman called Menza a "great and unique drummer" who was also "a trustworthy friend, a hilarious bandmate, as well as a very loving dad."