NICK MENZA - Former MEGADETH Drummer Celebrates Turning 50 By Counting Down His Top Ten Metal Moments
July 24, 2014, 10 years ago
Legendary drummer Nick Menza's stamp on heavy metal helped Megadeth hit a peak in the '90s with the ultimate trifecta of releases: 1990's Rust in Peace, 1992's monster Countdown To Extinction and 1994's follow-up Youthanasia. Fast-forward to today and he's hooked up with another Megadeth alumni in bassist James LoMenzo (Megadeth, White Lion, Black Label Society) to form Motorbreath, recently offering up the Metallica classic "Motorbreath" (also featuring guitarist/vocalist Davor Garasic from Croatian thrash metal band Sufosia) at this location.
Menza hit a landmark birthday this week - turning 50 on July 23rd (!!!) - and BraveWords was dying to ask him what his Top Ten Metal Moments so far are!
1) Getting the gig in Slayer for a week.
2) Jamming with Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson during sound check at Hammersmith Odeon in 1988 before I was asked to join Megadeth.
3) Getting a direct phone call from Dave Mustaine telling me I got the gig.
4) Playing at Rock in Rio to over 200,000.
5) Supporting Judas Priest on the Painkiller tour.
6) Countdown To Extinction certified double platinum.
7) Sky diving.
8) Flying an airplane.
9) Opening for Metallica for two weeks in Europe.
10) Covering "Motorbreath" with James LoMenzo
