The death of a member of a renowned band isn’t just a personal loss; it often signals the closing of a chapter in the band’s history. Nick Menza, Megadeth’s drummer during what many consider “the band’s golden years”, tragically passed away in 2016 after collapsing on stage while performing with his band, OHM. His untimely death stirred an emotional response from former bandmates, especially bassist David Ellefson and frontman Dave Mustaine, whose bonds with Menza were as complex as they were deep.
In a recent interview with That Fuzzing Rock Show (transcribed by Ultimate Guitar), Ellefson shared a poignant memory of the night he learned of Menza’s death. The news came directly from Mustaine, who called Ellefson in the early hours, distraught and shaken. “There is the night Nick Menza died, and I was in my hotel room. We were all in our rooms. Two in the morning or so, Dave calls me, and he’s all torn up, freaking out. He goes, ‘Junior, Nick’s dead.’ ‘What?’ He goes, ‘Nick… Nick died. Nick’s dead.’ He was a mess. He was tearing up. He was really, really upset about it,” Ellefson recalled.
For Mustaine, the news was a crushing blow, despite the often fiery relationship he shared with Menza during their time together. Ellefson reflected on this dynamic, describing it as familial.
“He was tearing up about it. You know, he and Nick would fight a lot, but those two were like brothers, man. They’d fight, they’d hug, they’d yell. They’d go eat sushi. Me and Marty… Marty said it best — there are two types of people. There’s KISS and Black Sabbath people, and then there’s Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith people. Me and Marty were the KISS and Black Sabbath guys; Dave and Nick were the Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith guys.” he said.
Menza played an integral role in shaping Megadeth’s legacy, alongside Mustaine, Ellefson, and guitarist Marty Friedman. Together, they created groundbreaking albums like “Rust in Peace” and “Countdown to Extinction”, records that redefined thrash metal in the early 1990s. Menza’s departure in 1998 marked the first fracture in Megadeth’s classic lineup, but his influence endured, leaving an indelible mark on the genre.
Ellefson also revealed that Mustaine had initially hoped to organize a charity effort in Menza’s honor shortly after his death. However, logistical challenges, particularly the band’s commitments to the “Dystopia” tour cycle, made it impossible at the time. “Dave wanted to try to do some kind of a charity. It kind of got blocked by management at the time, because we were just heading into a cycle,” Ellefson explained.
For fans and former bandmates alike, Menza’s memory remains alive. Ellefson himself has made a notable contribution to the forthcoming documentary “This Was My Life: Nick Menza’s Metal Memories With Megadeth and Beyond” which will offer a chance for the broader metal community to celebrate Menza’s talent and revisit his journey within Megadeth. Learn more about the film by visiting THIS LOCATION.
