Died On This Date (July 14, 1999) Gar Samuelson / Megadeth Drummer
themusicsover Gar Samuelson
February 18, 1958 – July 14, 1999
Gar Samuelson was the original drummer for thrash metal band, Megadeth. Prior to joining Megadeth, Samuelson played in a jazz fusion band with future Megadeth guitarist, Chris Poland. But metal was Samuelson’s calling, and once he met Megadeth leader, Dave Mustaine, his mind was made up, he had to be in that band. Samuelson played on just two Megadeth albums, Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good, and the classic, Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? and toured with the band during those years. But heavy drug abuse, specifically heroin, led to his firing by the band in 1987. During the mid ’90s, Samuelson was playing alongside his brother in a thrash metal band called Fatal Opera which released two albums. The last years of his life found him in Orange City, Florida where he built and ran a recording studio. Gar Samuelson died on July 14, 1999 of liver failure at the age of 41.
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