Nick Menza of Megadeth fame dies after collapsing on stage at age 51

LOS ANGELES, May 22 (UPI) -- Former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza collapsed onstage during a concert in Studio City, Calif., and died. He was 51.

Rolling Stone magazine reported Menza's Saturday death Sunday.

"Nick collapsed during the third song into a set with his band OHM. Earliest reports indicate he suffered a massive heart attack and was pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital," his management said in a statement.

"We all know the great and unique drummer that Nick Menza was, but he was also a trustworthy friend, a hilarious bandmate, as well as a very loving dad. I'm beyond sad, did not see this coming at all. RIP Brother," former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman said in a Facebook post.

Menza left Megadeth in 1998 after nearly a decade, then performed with the musical acts Memorain, Orphaned to Hatred and Deltanaut.