Nick Menza dies on stage

Former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza, who played on many of the metal band's successful albums in the 1990s, died Saturday after collapsing on stage during a concert. He was 51.

Menza was playing with his new band Ohm at the The Baked Potato in Los Angeles when he suddenly collapsed during third song of the performance. Paramedics could not revive him. The suspected cause of death was a massive heart attack.

Menza was Megadeth's longest-serving drummer, performing on five records over nine years, including “Rust in Peace”, “Countdown to Extinction” and “Youthanasia”.

After leaving the iconic heavy metal band in 1998, Menza pursued an interest in jazz and became an accomplished woodworker.

The rock music community reacted in shock and heartache to the news.