Nick Menza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nick Menza
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Menza as he appears on the back cover of Rust in Peace, 1990
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Nicholas Menza |
| Born | July 23, 1964 Munich, West Germany |
| Died | May 21, 2016 (aged 51) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Heavy metal, hard rock, thrash metal, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Years active | 1981–2016 |
| Associated acts | Megadeth, Marty Friedman, Memorain, Anthony Gallo, Don Menza, Christian Nesmith, SIN 34, Cold Fire, The Green, Sweet Eve, Von Skeletor, Spinal Tap, Orphaned to Hatred, Chris Poland, OHM |
Nicholas Menza (born July 23, 1964 – died May 21, 2016) was a talented American musician. He was most famous as the drummer for the thrash metal band Megadeth. He played with them from 1989 to 1998. Nick Menza recorded drums on four important Megadeth albums. These included Rust in Peace (1990), Countdown to Extinction (1992), Youthanasia (1994), and Cryptic Writings (1997).
Contents
Nick Menza's Early Life
Nick Menza was born in Munich, Germany. His father, Don Menza, was a jazz musician who was stationed there with the U.S. Army. Nick started playing drums when he was only two years old. He even performed at his first public concert at that young age.
Learning from the Best
Nick was lucky to grow up around many famous drummers. These included Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, and Jeff Porcaro. Their influence helped shape his drumming style.
Starting His Music Career
When he was 18, Nick began his professional music journey. He joined a band called Rhoads. In 1986, they released their first record, Into the Future, in Europe. After Rhoads, Nick played in several other Los Angeles metal bands. These included The Green, Von Skeletor, and Cold Fire.
Nick Menza's Music Career
Nick Menza became a session drummer, playing different styles of music. He played everything from R&B to gospel and funk. He even recorded with famous artists like John Fogerty.
Joining Megadeth
In 1989, the band Megadeth needed a new drummer. Nick had already filled in for their drummer before. So, Dave Mustaine, Megadeth's leader, asked Nick to join the band. Nick's first live show with Megadeth was on May 12, 1988, in England. This experience helped him become the band's official drummer for their 1990 album, Rust in Peace.
Megadeth's Classic Era
For the next ten years, Nick Menza was a key part of what many call Megadeth's "classic" period. He was known for his unique double-bass drum kit. This kit had many tom-toms and cymbals mounted on special chrome racks.
Solo Projects and Other Bands
While in Megadeth, Nick also played drums on three solo albums for his bandmate, Marty Friedman. These albums were Scenes (1992), Introduction (1994), and True Obsessions (1996).
Leaving Megadeth
In 1998, Nick had some knee problems during a tour. He had surgery to remove a growth, which was not harmful. While he was recovering, Megadeth hired a temporary drummer. Nick later said that he received a call telling him his drumming was no longer needed.
After leaving Megadeth, Nick started working on his own album, Menza: Life After Deth. He worked with guitarist Anthony Gallo. Sadly, some of his bandmates passed away, which changed his plans for touring.
A Brief Return
In 2004, Nick was invited to rejoin Megadeth. However, after a few rehearsals, he was replaced by another drummer. The band's leader said Nick wasn't physically ready for a big tour.
Later Projects
In 2006, Nick joined a metal band called Orphaned to Hatred. He left that band in 2010. In 2007, Nick had an accident with a power saw and hurt his arm. He needed surgery and a long time to recover, but he was able to play drums again.
Nick also appeared in music videos and played with other bands like Deltanaut and Sweet Eve. He continued to contribute his drumming skills to various music projects.
Nick Menza's Death
On May 21, 2016, Nick Menza was performing with his band OHM. They were playing at a jazz club in Studio City, Los Angeles. Just three songs into their set, Nick collapsed on stage. He was quickly taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead. Nick Menza was 51 years old.
Bands Nick Menza Played With
- Rhoads (1986–1987)
- Cold Fire (1988)
- Megadeth (1989–1998, 2004)
- Marty Friedman (1992–1996)
- Menza (1997–2016)
- Chodle's Trunk (2000–2001)
- Fear Assembly (Mindstreem) (2002–2003)
- Memorain (2005–2008)
- Orphaned to Hatred (2006–2010)
- Deltanaut (2006–2016)
- OHM (2015–2016)
- Sweet Eve (2015–2016)
Nick Menza's Discography
With Rhoads
- Into the Future (1986)
With Megadeth
- Rust in Peace (1990)
- Countdown to Extinction (1992)
- Youthanasia (1994)
- Nativity in Black – Tribute to Black Sabbath (1994)
- Hidden Treasures (1995)
- Cryptic Writings (1997)
- Capitol Punishment (2000)
- Arsenal of Megadeth (2006)
- Warchest (2007)
- Anthology: Set the World Afire (2008)
With Marty Friedman
- Scenes (1992)
- Introduction (1994)
- True Obsessions (1996)
As Menza
- Life After Deth (2002)
With Memorain
- Reduced to Ashes (2006)
With Von Skeletor
- Injection of Death (1988)
With Deltanaut
- Deltanaut EP (2011)
With Sweet Eve
- The Immortal Machine (2016)
See also
In Spanish: Nick Menza para niños
