Megadeth drummer dies at 51
Nick Menza, a former drummer for the heavy metal band Megadeth, died at age 51 after collapsing on stage at a Los Angeles club on Saturday. Menza collapsed while performing with his current band, OHM, at the Baked Potato Club in Studio City, California. Picture attribution to Nick Ares on Flickr.
by Hannah Zeitner, junior entertainment editor
Nick Menza, a former drummer for the heavy metal band Megadeth, died at age 51 after collapsing on stage at a Los Angeles club on Saturday.
Menza collapsed while performing with his current band, OHM, at the Baked Potato Club in Studio City, California.
After the band’s third song, Menza suddenly collapsed. Audience members and friends tried to resuscitate him until help arrived, but Menza died en route to a local hospital.
Menza was the drummer for Megadeth from 1989 until 1998 when he discovered a tumor on his knee and was forced to leave for surgery. Megadeth hired a replacement and Menza wasn’t asked back to the band.
“I think it’s a real shame that he died, especially in front of all his fans watching his performance,” junior Nicky Klees said.
Menza was also an accomplished artist and was set to unveil an art series in Houston next month.