Mike Scaccia

Michael Ralph Scaccia ( ; June 14, 1965 – December 22, 2012) was an American musician, best known as a guitarist for several heavy metal and alternative rock acts, including Rigor Mortis, Ministry and Revolting Cocks.

Life and career Scaccia was born in Babylon, New York. He was of Italian descent and had three older sisters.

Scaccia's first band, Spectrum, was formed with high school friends Chuck and Chad Williams on guitar and bass, Johnny Carpenter on drums and Barry (Baron) Lane on vocals. Bruce Corbitt eventually replaced Barry Lane on vocals. Scaccia left Spectrum in late June 1982; the next year, he formed Rigor Mortis with schoolmates Harden Harrison and Casey Orr. Bruce Corbitt was added to the lineup on vocals in the summer of 1986. Within five years they landed a major label deal with Capitol Records in 1987. In 1988, Rigor Mortis released their self-titled debut album via the label.

In 1989, Scaccia was asked by Al Jourgensen to join his band Ministry for their 1989–1990 The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste tour. Jourgensen was impressed by Scaccia's talents that he included him into the band full-time. He left the band right after completing Filth Pig, in an attempt to rid off his addiction.

In 2003, Rigor Mortis, with Scaccia in the lineup, reformed in Texas to positive reviews. He was officially pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after midnight on December 23. Although initial reports suggested a seizure possibly caused by the strobe lighting at the venue, the coroner indicated the cause of death to be a sudden heart attack brought on by heart disease. He was 47. A memorial service was held for Scaccia on Sunday, December 30, at the Aristide Event and Conference Center in Mansfield, Texas.

Personal discography

With Rigor Mortis Rigor Mortis (1988) Freaks EP (1989) Rigor Mortis Vs. The Earth (1991) Slave to the Grave (2014) With Ministry In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up (1990) Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs (1992) Filth Pig (1996) Greatest Fits (2001) Houses of the Molé (2004) Rio Grande Blood (2006) Cover Up (2008) Relapse (2012) From Beer to Eternity (2013) With Revolting Cocks Linger Ficken' Good...And Other Barnyard Oddities (1993) Cocked and Loaded (2006)

With Lard Pure Chewing Satisfaction (1997) 70's Rock Must Die (2000) With 1000 Homo DJs Supernaut (1990) With Skrew Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame (1992) With League of Blind Women League of Blind Women (1998) With Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters Bikers Welcome Ladies Drink Free (2011) Various artists compilation Lucio Fulci: A Symphony of Fear (1999)