Former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza suffered a sudden death Saturday night after collapsing on stage during a gig in Los Angeles.<br />He was 51.<br />The thrash metal drummer passed out three songs into a show with his band OMH at the Baked Potato club.<br />Paramedics couldn’t revive him and a cause of death has not been released.<br />Menza joined Megadeth in 1989 and stayed until 1998, putting him in what fans called the "classic" version of the band's ever-changing lineup.<br />He drummed on four of the band's best loved albums, including “Rust in Peace” and “Youthanasia.”<br />"Tell me this isn't true," Megadeth's frontman Dave Mustaine tweeted.<br />Ex-Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman called Menza a "great and unique drummer" who was also "a trustworthy friend, a hilarious bandmate, as well as a very loving dad."
