Former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza died after reportedly collapsing on stage Saturday. He was 51.
Menza was playing drums with his new band, OHM, at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California, when he collapsed during the third song of their set, CNN reports.
Both OHM and The Baked Potato confirmed Menza’s death on Facebook. The venue simply wrote, “RIP Nick Menza,”; while the band used the same sentiment and added, “In the brief time I knew you, it was a pleasure. We will miss you “Machine.”;”;
Rob Bolger, Menza’s manager, told BBC that the “earliest reports indicate he suffered a massive heart attack,”; noting that the German-born drummer was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
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Alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, Megadeth was considered one of the “big four”; metal bands. Menza played with the thrash metal group for nine years from 1989 to 1998, and once again in 2004. He recorded drums for four of the band’s albums, which included three of their biggest, Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction, and Youthanasia.
Megadeth’s founder, Dave Mustaine, tweeted shortly after hearing the news of his former bandmate’s death. “TELL ME THIS ISN’T TRUE!”; he wrote. “I woke at 4 AM to hear Nick Menza passed away on 5/21 playing his drums w/Ohm at the Baked Potato. #nickmenzarip.”;
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
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Former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman also took to social media to share his condolences. “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,”; he wrote on Facebook. “I’m beyond sad, did not see this coming at all. RIP Brother.”;
ET has reached out to Menza’s reps for comment.