Megadeth ex-members invited to Nick Menza benefit show

Nick Menza with Megadeth in 1991 — Menza, second right, with Megadeth in 1991 (Image credit: Getty)

Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine wants every surviving former bandmate to take part in a benefit show for Nick Menza’s family.

The drummer died aged 51 at the weekend, after suffering a heart attack during a concert with current outfit Ohm. Paying tribute, Mustaine described Menza as “a great friend, a true professional and a larger-than-life personality.”

He tells Q103 Albany: “The band has already agreed to do a benefit in California. We’re working out the details.

“We’re hoping to leave an open stage for all the alumni of Megadeth to come and play with us, so we can help leave something for Nick’s children, which I think have been kind of left in a bad way.

“We want to get all that stuff set up, and right now the wheels are turning.”

Menza nearly rejoined Megadeth before the recording of latest album Dystopia, but couldn’t reach an agreement with the band.

Mustaine says: “There were several times that we tried to reconcile stuff, and it just didn’t happen for whatever reason. I don’t know why – it just didn’t.

“Now I think it’s time to remember Nick and his legacy of great performances.”

Nick Menza: Obituary

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.