Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine ‘Overwhelmed With Emotions’ Over Nick Menza’s Death

The sudden and shocking death of former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza has hit home with many in music, including Menza's longtime bandmate Dave Mustaine, who shared an emotional moment onstage performing the night after Menza passed.

Playing at the Rock'N Derby back in May, Mustaine told the crowd that Menza had gone to "heavy metal heaven," and later got emotional a bit during the performance. "I couldn't finish it, and I usually don't let things stop me from doing my job, but I was overwhelmed with emotions. We've lost a lot of very valuable members of the metal community this year and last year," Mustaine told Eon Music, later adding, "You know, I’ve always loved his playing and thought he was great, so he’s terribly, terribly missed, and like I said, I had no idea how much I really loved him until I couldn’t finish the song."

Shortly after Menza's passing, Mustaine gave an interview in which he stated that plans were in motion to do a benefit concert to help out Menza's children, but the rocker says those plans have been halted for the time being.

"There’s some stuff going on right now where the family is doing a Gofundme page, and I’m not involved in that. If they need our help they know where we're at -- we love them and want the best for them, so we’ll find out," said Mustaine.

He continued, "For now I think that if anybody wants to get involved with Nick, the Gofundme page [is the best place to do so]. I would rather that If anybody’s going to support what we’re going to do, our involvement is to help Nick’s legacy for his children; he’s got artwork, he’s got a lot of music that he’s written outside of Megadeth, and if people really love Nick and they really want to support him, look at his artwork, focus on the music that he did; Megadeth or otherwise."

Menza was performing with the band OHM at the Baked Potato in Studio City, Calif. at the time of his death. The group was in the middle of their performance when Menza collapsed. He later died from a massive heart attack.

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