Nick Menza ● A Simple Tribute
LOS ANGELES >> Nick Menza, former drummer for the influential metal band Megadeth, died after collapsing on stage during a performance of his progressive jazz trio in Southern California, a family spokesman said Sunday.
TX Body: Menzas latest band OHM was three songs into a semi-regular set at a Los Angeles-area club Saturday night when the drummer collapsed, J. Marshall Craig told The Associated Press. Friends and audience members rendered aid while paramedics were called.
The 51-year-old died at the club of a suspected massive heart attack, Craig said.
Menza was Megadeths longest-serving drummer, performing on five records over nine years, including 1990s thrash metal landmark, Rust In Peace.
Dave Mustaine, co-founder of Megadeth, said on Twitter that he awoke at 4 a.m. to the news.
Tell me this isnt true, Mustaine wrote.
Marty Friedman, the bands guitarist from 1990 to 2000, wrote on Facebook that Menza was a great and unique drummer and a trustworthy friend, a hilarious bandmate, as well as a very loving dad.
After leaving Megadeth in 1998, Menza pursued an interest in jazz and became an accomplished woodworker.
Menzas autobiography, co-written by Craig, will detail the drummers life in and out of music and is set for a July release.
He is survived by his mother and father, the jazz saxophonist Don Menza, and two sons.
Source: http://www.dailynews.com/obituaries/20160522/ex-megadeth-drummer-nick-menza-collapses-on-stage-dies
