Gar Samuelson

Gary Charles "Gar" Samuelson (February 18, 1958 – July 14, 1999) was an American musician best remembered for being the drummer for thrash metal band Megadeth from 1984 to 1987, contributing to their first two albums, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! and Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986). He is considered one of the most influential drummers of thrash metal, having pioneered the incorporation of jazz fusion into the subgenre.

Career

Early career Samuelson initially started out playing for The New Yorkers, which included himself, his brother Stew, Chris Poland and Robbie Pagliari, among others. The stint lasted from the late '70s into the early '80s.

Megadeth Megadeth in 1986. From left to right: Chris Poland, Dave Mustaine, Gar Samuelson and David Ellefson. After meeting with Dave Mustaine and Dave Ellefson of Megadeth in 1984, he was asked to join the band on October 24, 1984. Guitarist Chris Poland soon followed, and Mustaine referred to this as "the first real line-up" in the VH1 special on the band. Mustaine stated in an interview with Metal Forces, that Samuelson was able to "mix up a beat."

Samuelson went on to serve as Megadeth's drummer until 1987. He appeared on the band's first two albums (Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good, and Peace Sells... but Who's Buying), and played with them on both tours. However, Samuelson was ultimately fired due to his drug addiction.

Death Samuelson died in Orange City, Florida, on July 14, 1999, at the age of 41. The cause of death was reportedly liver failure. He was cremated.

At the Woodstock Festival in 1999, Mustaine announced to the crowd that Samuelson had died; in his honor, Megadeth played "Peace Sells" as the closing song in their set. His former bandmates in Megadeth dedicated the 2002 remaster of Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good to "the memory of Gar Samuelson".