Nick Menza
drums (drum set)
b. 1964 in Munich — d. 2016
Nicholas Menza (July 23, 1964 – May 21, 2016) was an American musician who was the drummer of the thrash metal band Megadeth from 1989 to 1998. He played drums on four of Megadeth's albums: Rust in Peace (1990), Countdown to Extinction (1992), Youthanasia (1994), and Cryptic Writings (1997).
Early life
Menza was born in Munich, Germany, where his father, jazz musician Don Menza, had been stationed with the U.S. Army. He began playing drums at the age of two, when during a concert’s intermission he sat at Jack DeJohnette's drums and proceeded to play. Menza's influences stem from being around Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Nick Ceroli, Jeff Porcaro, and Louie Bellson.
Death
On May 21, 2016, Menza was performing with his band OHM at The Baked Potato jazz club in Studio City, Los Angeles. Only three songs into the set, Menza collapsed onstage. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. An autopsy later showed the cause of death to be atherosclerotic, hypertensive-induced congestive heart failure. Menza was 51.
Every band they have passed through, with what they played and when — and whether they were there at the start.
Songs Nick Menza is credited on, oldest first — music, words, or both.
- Countdown to ExtinctionMegadeth · Countdown to Extinction (1992)Words
Where they came from, where they are, and who they are to other people.
- Born
- 1964-07-23 · Munich
- Lived in
- Los Angeles
- Schooled at
- North Hollywood High School
- Also works as
- drummer, songwriter, musician
- Plays
- drum kit, drum
- Died
- 2016-05-21
- How
- natural causes — myocardial infarction
- Where
- Los Angeles
Where to hear from them lately. These are live searches, not a list somebody froze — so they stay current.
- Wikipedia →the full article
- Interviews on YouTube →newest first
- Recent news & comments →Google News
- Blabbermouth →metal press
Portrait: sourced from the web