R.I.P. former MEGADETH drummer NICK MENZA

Dead at 51 after an apparent heart attack while onstage with OHM:

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-megadeth-drummer-nick-menza-dies-at-51/

Former MEGADETH drummer Nick Menza reportedly passed away Saturday night (May 21) while performing with the band OHM: at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California. He was 51 years old.One person who was present at The Baked Potato last night told BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "It appeared to be a seizure but [Nick] stopped breathing. Two patrons took over and began CPR until EMS arrived. EMS worked on him for 25-plus minutes, including adrenaline shots, three shocks and non-stop compressions."Menza's death was confirmed in a message written by his friend Allen Hall, which was shared on Menza's official Facebook page.Allen wrote: "We lost an amazing talent and fantastic person yesterday. Nick Menza was the nicest and most sincere guy you should ever hope to meet."He would take the shirt off his back to help you if you needed it. He had a passion for artwork, not just metal music."Nick, you were taken too soon, it must have been a mistake, the world was a better place with you in it. I will miss you dearly my friend."MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine tweeted: "Tell me this isn't true. I woke at 4am to hear Nick Menza passed away on May 21 playing his drums with Ohm at the Baked Potato. #nickmenzarip."Mustaine's son, Justis, also paid tribute to Nick on Twitter, saying: "Rest in peace Nick Menza."A Facebook post from The Baked Potato stated simply: "RIP Nick Menza."Menza joined MEGADETH for the 1989 recording "Rust In Peace" and for the next nine years became associated with the band's "classic" and most profitable era.

Wow! Didn't see that one coming! With all of the reunion rumours last year I assumed that he was doing well. That's my two favorite Megadeth drummers gone now

Just saw this on Facebook,It's a shame he was way too young. Such a great drummer. R.I.P Nick!

RIP Nick. I wish 2016 was over with already.

This year sucks!

R.I.P.

I just saw this on Blabbermouth! I was just reading yesterday how everybody was complaining about the Soilwork drummer filling in for Chris Adler, while he plays dates with Lamb of God. Everyone was pushing for Nick to play on those dates. But now I'm reading this. I'm so sad to be hearing about this...

R.I.P. my favorite Megadeth drummer and one of my favs of all time. 51 is too damn young!

Damn.i can't believe it.

Very sad and shocking.

Wow, that came out of the blue. That's the way heart attacks go I guess.

WTH!!!!!! Really sad, and shocking!

RIP

At least I got to see him play live once with Megadeth back in 1992.

I really feel for Poland, he took Gar's passing really hard even on the Behind The Music episode and now to be onstage with Nick when it happened.

A sad day indeed

I'm hoping his demos for Dystopia will see the light of day.

akeldama wrote:

I really feel for Poland, he took Gar's passing really hard even on the Behind The Music episode and now to be onstage with Nick when it happened.

That's true, I didn't snap til I read your post that Poland is in OHM. Damn...what sad news all around. Rest in peace, Nick.

R.I.P. Man, 51 is way too young to go. I'm gonna go crank "Rust In Peace" in tribute.

Dave Mustaine comments:

Quote :

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has released the following statement regarding the passing of the band's former drummer Nick Menza:

"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 on stage 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 platinum 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."

I remember seeing a video long ago where an Indian politician is just sitting at some political thing, he's talking and smiling and then--boom!--he's dead. His eyes roll back and he just keels over. Smiling one second, gone the next.

Scary how damn fast it can happen.

Such sad news. It can happen to anyone at any time. Nearly happened to me a year ago.

ultmetal wrote:

Such sad news. It can happen to anyone at any time. Nearly happened to me a year ago.

I hear ya Ult....... scary indeed!

Very shocked and saddened by this news. Glad I got to see him and the classic R.I.P. line-up back in the day. 51 is frightfully young for someone who appeared to be in decent health.

ultmetal wrote:

Such sad news. It can happen to anyone at any time. Nearly happened to me a year ago.

My sister-in-law passed away in January from a heart attack at the age of 49.