Reclusive former MEGADETH drummer Nick Menza has been writing, recording and producing constantly but only releasing sporadic singles for years. That will all change when he opens the floodgates with the upcoming release of his memoir, Nick Menza: Megalife, by acclaimed writer J. Marshall Craig.
“MEGADETH was a big part of my story,” Menza says, “but it was just one part. Jeff [Craig] has got me to talk about it all!”
Menza is currently negotiating a publishing deal for the book, which was written over the past 18 months. It features rare and never-before-seen photos of Menza with every band he’s ever been in, including, of course, MEGADETH.
“It’s a memoir of music,” writer Craig says. “But a lot more. It’s a book about chasing the ultimate gig, the ultimate drum setup, the ultimate sound and, it will come as no surprise to Nick’s fans, the ultimate aliens, government conspiracies and anything else his muse sees fit to lay across his path.”
Menza’s first performance was at the age of two on stage at the Montreux Jazz Festival when legendary jazz percussionist Jack DeJohnette (Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson) placed Nick on his kit. Thirty years later, he was stepping out on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans every night.
Menza, son of legendary jazz saxophonist Don Menza, was at the top of his game when MEGADETH started a world tour in support of its album, “Cryptic Writings”, but began to suffer knee problems and escalating pain. Doctors diagnosed him with a tumor. Surgery waylaid the drummer briefly, but he was relieved to learn the tumor was benign and was eager to rejoin his bandmates, who had continued their tour with a replacement drummer. But deteriorating relations within the band exploded and Menza was replaced permanently.
What does Nick have to say about it all now?
“Buy the book. It’s all in there!”
Nick Menza: Megalife, by J. Marshall Craig, is due in stores, in Kindle and eBook versions, in late 2013.
J. Marshall Craig is best known for his critically acclaimed work as writer for Eric Burdon’s “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, THE ROLLING STONES keyboardist Chuck Leavell’s “Between Rock And A Home Place”, West Coast hip-hop history “Guilty By Association” (Damizza and J. Marshall Craig). Author of more than a dozen books, his work has been translated and published all over the world.
The cover art for Nick Menza: Megalife is expected to be released some time next week.
Menza will take part in The Rock N Roll Autograph Show, set to take place September 13-15 at The Westin Los Angeles Airport. The show will provide attendees to meet musicians and performers that have played a major role in rock music history. Proceeds from this event with benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Said Menza: “I’m very honored to be part of this major event, as well as seeing my good friend David Ellefson whom I have not talked to in years. I will be on sight for from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 15 signing posters for my upcoming book release. Stay tuned for the unveiling of the working title and cover art. Come on out; it’s for a great cause!”