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Ex-Megadeth Drummer Dies On Stage In L.A.
(Photo via Facebook)
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Drummer Nick Menza, 51, died while performing Saturday night with his band OHM at the Baked Potato in Studio City. Menza, who is best known for his stint in L.A. thrash group Megadeth in the '90s, suffered heart failure while on stage and collapsed. He was pronounced dead by the time he arrived at the hospital.
Dave Mustaine, Megadeth frontman and Aurora shooting truther, expressed his condolences via Twitter:
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
Who, Greg? Please let me know if you hear from him. I am gutted, https://t.co/yEQL0LEFWZ
— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) May 22, 2016
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However, Mustaine had twice fired Menza from the group - once after Menza had been hospitalized in the '90s and again in 2004 after a brief reunion. It appears Mustaine and Menza were not on good terms, as there were lingering disputes about unpaid royalties.
Menza was raised by Don Menza, a noted jazz saxophonist, and leaves behind two sons, Nicholas and Dante.
J. Marshall Craig, spokesperson for the late drummer, posted on Menza's Facebook page that "he died last night on stage in L.A. doing what he loved" and that "this wonderful photo of Nick at the mixing console was taken April 9, 2016."
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(Photo via Facebook)
Here are some more memorials from Metal Twitter:
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
Just now learning of the shocking news that former @Megadeth drummer Nick Menza has passed away.Yet another tragic rock loss. #RIPNickMenza
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) May 22, 2016
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Wow just heard that Nick Menza passed away. Wow I can't believe it, way too young! Great guy too, hung out with him a lot. #RIPNickMenza
— Brian Slagel (@brianslagel) May 22, 2016
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