Megadeth Plan Benefit For Nick Menza's Family

The members of Megadeth were as shocked as fans with the untimely death of former drummer Nick Menza on Saturday night. Frontman Dave Mustaine issued a public statement and revealed that the group will be putting together a benefit concert for Menza's family.

Menza, who part of the band's iconic 'Rust In Peace', 'Countdown To Extinction' and 'Youthanasia' era lineup, passed away while performing with his band Ohm at The Baked Potato in Los Angeles. He was 51 years old.

Band leader Mustaine had the following to say about Menza's passing: "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."

Mustaine also left the door open for other former members of the band to join them at the upcoming benefit show. He said during a radio interview, "We're hoping to leave an open stage for all of the alumni from Megadeth to come onstage and play with us so we can leave behind something for Nick's children, which I think have been left in a bad way. We wanted to get that stuff all set up and that's where the wheels are turning."

He also addressed the idea that he and Menza didn't get along. "Contrary to popular belief, Nick and I were very, very close. I think when you're that close with somebody the temperature runs a lot hotter than in most relationships, so the love is that much deeper and the anger is so much more hot and the sadness is so much more profound."

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