Nick Menza, former drummer for the metal band Megadeth, died late Saturday after collapsing on stage during a concert with his new band Ohm, CNN reported. He was 51.
Ohm manager Steve Bauer told CNN that the band was playing the third song of a set at the Baked Potato club in Los Angeles’ Studio City area when he collapsed. Paramedics were unable to revive him.
“The group’s bassist texted me last night after it happened,” Bauer told CNN. “We are all still in shock.”
The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Menza played with Megadeth for nine years in the 1990s, including on major albums such as “Rust in Peace,” “Countdown to Extinction” and “Youthanasia.”
Last year, he joined former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland in Ohm, whose drummer David Eagle left the band due to heart complications.
Early Sunday, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine tweeted his shock at the news. “TELL ME THIS ISN’T TRUE!” he wrote.
Former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman also weighed in with his own tribute on social media.
“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,” Friedman wrote. “I’m beyond sad, did not see this coming at all.”
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
Who, Greg? Please let me know if you hear from him. I am gutted, https://t.co/yEQL0LEFWZ
— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) May 22, 2016
We all know the great and unique drummer that Nick Menza was, but he was also a trustworthy friend, a hilarious… https://t.co/Fyhj5aQ72o
— Marty Friedman (@marty_friedman) May 22, 2016