Former Megadeth Drummer Dies After Collapsing On Stage

Megadeth's longest serving drummer, Nick Menza, has passed away on stage while playing with his band OHM this weekend, aged 51.

As ABC reports, Menza was performing in Los Angeles' Baked Potato Club when he collapsed on stage during the third song. Members of the audience and friends tried to resuscitate Menza but he died on the way to the hospital.

Though an autopsy will go ahead, Menza's family spokesman and biographer J Marshall Craig said, "Despite his excellent health and extremely active, sober lifestyle, a heart attack is his suspected, though not confirmed, cause of death."

In a statement, Craig has also said, "There were many plans in the works, for the release of Nick's book that we wrote, a comic book version of his time with Megadeth and many, many other wonderful things, including a trip to stay with me and my family here in Cape Cod tomorrow. He died last night on stage in L.A. doing what he loved."

Born in Germany, Menza drummed for the heavy metal legends between 1989 and 1998, recording on 1990's Rust In Peace, 1992's Countdown To Extinction, 1994's Youthanasia and 1997's Cryptic Writings. 

Megadeth's frontman Dave Mustaine has tweeted his condolences for Menza's family, as have a slew of other musicians and industry figures.

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

Nick Menza: Rust in Peace. Sigh. #RIPNickMenza #NickMenza

— Lou Brutus (@LouBrutus) May 22, 2016

Condolences to the Nick Menza family and friends. We have lost a gentle giant... A true artist and friend to us all. #ripnickmenza

— David Ellefson (@ellefsondavid) May 22, 2016

Shocked and deeply saddened to hear the passing of #NickMenza My condolences to his family. #RIPNickMenza @MenzaNick

— Dave Lombardo (@TheDaveLombardo) May 22, 2016

A parallel universe is building the best band ever. RIP Nick Menza. Too much incredible talent is being lost in 2016

— CC (@ccbvb) May 22, 2016

Very sorry 2 hear of Nick Menza's passing. Didn't know him well, but always enjoyed his drumming live & on @Megadeth's essential albums. RIP

— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) May 22, 2016

So sad to hear about the passing of Nick Menza...we hung many times back in the day...taken way too soon. #RIPNickMenza

— Mike Portnoy (@MikePortnoy) May 22, 2016

Nick Menza..... Can't believe it. Rust In Peace, dude — feeling heartbroken

— TheBlackDahliaMurder (@bdmmetal) May 22, 2016

this deserves a repost, especially for those who did not see the magic Nick brought to OHM:... https://t.co/togD4UvOGd

— ChrisPolandOHM (@ChrisPolandOHM) May 22, 2016