happy birthday, Nick!! he would've turned 62 today Nicholas Menza (July 23, 1964 – May 21, 2016) was an American musician who was the drummer of the thrash metal band Megadeth from 1989 to 1998. He played drums on four of Megadeth's albums: Rust in Peace (1990), Countdown to Extinction (1992), Youthanasia (1994), and Cryptic Writings (1997). Beginning his professional musical career at the age of 18, drumming in the band Rhoads featuring singer Kelle Rhoads, brother of the late Randy Rhoads, Menza released his first record with Rhoads, titled Into the Future, in Europe in 1986. Moving on to session playing including styles ranging from R&B to gospel, funk and heavy metal, recording with the likes of John Fogerty, Menza caught the attention of then Megadeth drummer Chuck Behler and became his tech. Behler was unavailable at a planned Rock City gig in Nottingham, England, so Menza performed the soundcheck. Dave Mustaine remarked in an April 2019 interview that he knew Menza would join the band. This prior experience and personal relationship led to the invitation to join Megadeth for the 1990 recording Rust in Peace. #megadethband #megadethfans #megadeth #megadethedit #nickmenza #nickmenzaedit - @lyn.okda