Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine spoke to EonMusic about the passing of former drummer Nick Menza. 

Mustaine spoke about the dedication of a song to his former bandmate at the Rock N' Derby festival on May 22nd an said “Yeah, (my emotional reaction) came out of nowhere. I didn't know what it was, because it was very (well known) how much Nick did not like me, in the things that he was saying (in the press). And I was not going to retaliate because I loved him, and I think that was evident when we dedicated the song to him. I couldn't finish it, and I usually don't let things stop me from doing by job, but I was overwhelmed with emotion. We've lost a lot of very valuable members of the metal community this year and last year."

When asked about his drumming abilities, Mustaine said, “The contribution (he) made to metal music, you can't really quantify it, because Megadeth influenced so many different players in so many different genres. I know only of the guitar players that have been influenced, but the drummers that have been influenced by Nick, until his passing, I had no idea."

He added: "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."

On May 22nd, Megadeth headlined Rock N’ Derby at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds in Schaghticoke, NY. During his interview with Albany's Q103, frontman Dave Mustaine revealed the band is putting together a benefit show for former drummer Nick Menza's family. Menza passed away at age 51 during a performance with the band OHM: on May 21st, reportedly having suffered a heart attack.

Check out the interview below.

During Megadeth's show, Mustaine asked the audience for a moment of silence in memory of Menza and paid tribute to him at the very end of the gig. Check out the footage below.

Following is a message from Dave Mustaine posted on Facebook regarding Menza and his passing:

"I woke up this morning to a text message from my son, with the news of Nick Menza's passing. Shocked, devastated, and saddened don't begin to describe my feelings.

Originally a tech for the band, Nick soon displayed such talent and personality, it didn’t take long for us to realize he belonged on stage with us, behind the kit. We asked Nick to join Megadeth as our drummer in 1989. At the time, the band already had its first platinum album, which only served to stoke the fire. We all wanted world domination- with so much of our lives and dreams ahead of us. As we navigated through the pitfalls of life and the music business, our first album with Nick, Rust in Peace, and subsequent albums Countdown to Extinction and Youthanasia, kept up the momentum. We parted ways after Cryptic Writings. We, like all brothers, would disagree at times, but our bond was strong throughout.

As a player, Nick had a very powerful jazzy flair, unpredictable and always entertaining. And as great a drummer as he was, the time spent with him as a person, a bandmate, and a friend was even more fun. There were several times we discussed him coming back to the band, but for various reasons it never came together. We've been in touch all along, he had come out to our shows recently, and he had remained a great friend, a true professional and a larger than life personality.

The Megadeth family take care of each other, and expect to hear soon about an initiative to help Nick's children. All of us in this community are connected, take care of yourself and your loved ones.

My deepest condolences go out to Nick's family."

Dave Mustaine