Former MEGADETH Drummer Nick Menza Dies Aged 51 (May 22nd, 2016)

Former MEGADETH Drummer Nick Menza Dies Aged 51
May 22nd, 2016

Nick Menza

Nick Menza, former drummer for Megadeth, died on May 21st, 2016 at the age of 51.

Menza was performing with the band OHM at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California, reportedly suffering from heart failure.

Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine issued the following statement: “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.”

Former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman added: “We all know the great and unique drummer that Nick Menza was, but he was also a trustworthy friend, a hilarious bandmate, as well as a very loving dad. I’m beyond sad, did not see this coming at all. RIP Brother.”

Nick Menza was born on July 23rd, 1964 in Germany, the son of jazz saxophonist Don Menza who worked with the likes of Buddy Rich and Stan Kenton, as well as being a member of the band featured on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Menza joined the Megadeth fold during 1989, replacing Chuck Behler. In all, the sticksman cut the following four full-lengths with the thrash band; Rust In Peace (1990), Countdown To Extinction (1992), Youthanasia (1994), and Cryptic Writings (1997). Megadeth embarked on the Ozzfest tour package during 1998, Menza leaving mid-tour to seek surgery for a tumour on his knee. Temporary replacement Jimmy DeGrasso was hired to fulfill said live commitments, Menza not invited to return to the line-up later on.

Megadeth aside, Menza stepped behind the kit for three solo affairs from erstwhile Megadeth guitarist and bandmate Marty Friedman, namely; Scenes (1992), Introduction (1994), and True Obsessions (1996). Solo effort Life After Deth arrived in 2002 under the Menza banner.

2006’s Reduced To Ashes, the third outing from Greek thrashers Memorain, also featured the musician’s services.

In 2015, Menza joined jazz rock fusion group OHM, fronted by former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland – albeit both former members of Megadeth, neither were in Megadeth at the same time.

At the time of his passing, Menza had completed work on a memoir with biographer and friend J. Marshall Craig. Entitled MenzaLife, the book is slated for June 2016 issue.

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