Dave Mustaine pays poignant tribute to late Megadeth drummer Nick Menza
Menza was pronounced dead after collapsing on stage in Los Angeles.
Dave Mustaine has paid poignant homage to former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza, who died on Saturday (21st May).
Menza’s band OHM were three songs into their set at the Baked Potato venue in Los Angeles when he suffered a “massive heart attack” and collapsed, his manager Rob Bolger has confirmed.
The 51-year-old was rushed to hospital but was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival.
Menza joined Megadeth in 1989 and recorded drums on four of the band’s seminal albums ‘Rust in Peace’, ‘Countdown to Extinction’, ‘Youthanasia’ and ‘Cryptic Writings’ before he was replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso in 1998.
> TELL ME THIS ISN'T TRUE! I woke at 4 AM to hear Nick Menza passed away on 5/21 playing his drums w/Ohm at the Baked Potato. #nickmenzarip > > — Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) May 22, 2016
Upon hearing the news, Dave Mustaine reacted in shock on Twitter, writing: “TELL ME THIS ISN'T TRUE! I woke at 4 AM to hear Nick Menza passed away on 5/21 playing his drums w/Ohm at the Baked Potato. #nickmenzarip”
Hours later, Mustaine released a full and extremely heartfelt tribute to his “great friend”. He wrote:
"I woke up this morning to a text message from my son, with the news of Nick Menza's passing. Shocked, devastated, and saddened don't begin to describe my feelings.
"Originally a tech for the band, Nick soon displayed such talent and personality, it didn't take long for us to realize he belonged onstage with us behind the kit. We asked Nick to join Megadeth as our drummer in 1989. At the time, the band already had its first gold album, which only served to stoke the fire. We all wanted world domination, with so much of our lives and dreams ahead of us. As we navigated through the pitfalls of life and the music business, our first album with Nick, Rust in Peace, and subsequent albums Countdown to Extinction and Youthanasia, kept up the momentum. We parted ways after Cryptic Writings. We, like all brothers, would disagree at times, but our bond was strong throughout.
"As a player, Nick had a very powerful jazzy flair, unpredictable and always entertaining. And, as great a drummer as he was, the time spent with him as a person, a bandmate and a friend was even more fun. There were several times we discussed him coming back to the band, but for various reasons it never came together. We've been in touch all along, he had come out to our shows recently and he had remained a great friend, a true professional and a larger than life personality.
"The Megadeth family take care of each other, and expect to hear soon about an initiative to help Nick's children. All of us in this community are connected, take care of yourself and your loved ones.
"My deepest condolences go out to Nick's family."
> In Remembrance of Nick Menza 1964-2016. https://t.co/13lkBdG4MT pic.twitter.com/sMta504ay0 > > — Megadeth (@Megadeth) May 23, 2016
Other stars from across the world have remembered Menza on social media. Check out some of the tributes here:
> R.I.P. - NICK MENZA 1964-2O16 - Condolences & Prayers of STRENGTH & LIGHT Go out to NICK's Family - tBLSt SDMF pic.twitter.com/MdnsWYfwhZ > > — Zakk Wylde (@ZakkWyldeBLS) May 23, 2016
> RIP the Great Nick Menza. Thank you for your incredible talent & music. My condolences to his family & @DaveMustaine can't believe this news > > — Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) May 23, 2016
> So sad to hear about the passing of Nick Menza...we hung many times back in the day...taken way too soon. #RIPNickMenza > > — Mike Portnoy (@MikePortnoy) May 22, 2016
> Condolences to the Nick Menza family and friends. We have lost a gentle giant... A true artist and friend to us all. #ripnickmenza > > — David Ellefson (@ellefsondavid) May 22, 2016
> Sorry to learn about the passing of Nick Menza RIP > > — Richie Kotzen (@Richie_Kotzen) May 22, 2016
> this deserves a repost, especially for those who did not see the magic Nick brought to OHM:... https://t.co/togD4UvOGd > > — ChrisPolandOHM (@ChrisPolandOHM) May 22, 2016
> Really sorry to hear of Nick Menza's passing..
> We met when Megadeath was rehearsing next door to us in 1990.
> Great drummer/ great guy...
>
> — Steve Lukather (@stevelukather) May 22, 2016
> This poster was shot in 1990 #NickMenza 2nd from Lf and me far rt,They called us the young Monsters,#RIP Nick pic.twitter.com/d2tiLg11V1 > > — matt sorum (@mattsorum) May 23, 2016