MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE: NICK MENZA 'Meant A Lot To Us'

June 21, 2016

MEGADETH took part in a press conference on June 19 at Hellfest in Clisson. France. You can watch video footage of the question-and-answer session below.

Asked about MEGADETH's previously announced plan to stage a tribute concert to their late drummer, Nick Menza, featuring past and present members of the band, MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine said: "When we heard about Nick passing away, it wasn't… We weren't gonna use that for publicity or anything like that. It was a feeling of wanting to do something for Nick's family, his legacy. And we found out… David [Ellefson, MEGADETH bassist] had told me that [Menza's family was] already doing something [to raise funds for Nick's kids]. So then I said, 'Great. If they want our help, great. If they don't need our help, we're here, if they change their minds.'"

Mustaine added: "Nick meant a lot to us, and I think Nick meant a lot to everybody that's a MEGADETH fan too. A lot of metal drummers were influenced by Nick. So… he's sorely missed."

Mustaine told EonMusic last week that he "had no idea how much [he] loved" Nick until he broke down following the dedication of a song to his former bandmate at the Rock 'N Derby festival on May 22. Dave said: "Yeah, [my emotional reaction] came out of nowhere. I didn't know what it was, because it was very [well known] how much Nick did not like me, in the things that he was saying [in the press]. And I was not going to retaliate because I loved him, and I think that was evident when we dedicated the song to him. I couldn't finish it, and I usually don't let things stop me from doing by job, but I was overwhelmed with emotion."

Nick collapsed after suffering a heart attack after the third song of OHM:'s set on May 21 at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital. He was 51 years old.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of natural causes. The cause of Menza's death was listed as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Menza had reportedly dabbled with drugs in the earlier part of his career but had been completely sober for eight years.

Menza joined MEGADETH for the 1989 recording "Rust In Peace" and for the next nine years became associated with the band's "classic" and most profitable era.

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