Former MEGADETH drummer Lee Rauch handed away on Friday, June 23. No explanation for loss of life has been revealed. He was reportedly 58 years outdated.

Lee‘s passing was introduced by his brother Chris Rauch in a social media publish on Friday. He wrote: “At this time is a really unhappy day, we misplaced my brother William Lee Rauch.

“Lee was a really robust man of religion so I do know he’s with God now. He was an Superior drummer, who helped launch one of many largest metallic names in historical past by being the primary drummer for MEGADETH, enjoying alongside facet Dave Mustaine, Kerry King and David Ellifson. His coronary heart was set on making it massive and got here very shut quite a few instances.

“Lee was a really loving and giving particular person who was extraordinarily laborious working, he continued to play drums later in his life for the church which made him comfortable. He was a loving son and a really honorable man. Most of all, he was my brother and although I did not all the time be in contact the best way I ought to have, I beloved him very a lot and he will probably be tremendously missed to my core.

“I really like you brother, good journey. Hope you get pleasure from that setup they have up there for you bro, guess its not as massive as your blue set was although, lol.

“There will probably be a memorial service held for Lee, when we have now the date and time I’ll relay it right here. Please hold our household in your prayers.”

In a 2004 interview with Bob Nalbandian, Mustaine was requested what occurred to Rauch within the years after he left MEGADETH. Dave responded: “I do not know. He wasn’t essentially an authentic [MEGADETH] drummer. He was a man that we actually favored, after which at some point sitting on the steps of Billy Cordero‘s home, when David Ellefson and I had been squatting…we simply type of met this child, went to his home and filtrated his bed room and by no means left for a pair months. Lee was telling us how he had given his soul to Devil, and I do know sufficient about black magic that in case you actually do the precise act of giving your soul to Devil, you need to have intercourse with Devil to consecrate the deal. You needed to have intercourse and have a Satanic priest take the embodiment of Devil on so he can sodomize you. And I requested him, ‘So, who was the priest?’ And he stated, ‘My priest was a man named David.’ I used to be like…’I am out of right here!'”

Rauch was featured on MEGADETH‘s first demo, 1984’s “Final Rites”, which consisted of three tracks. The lineup on the demo was Mustaine, Ellefson and Rauch. Rauch additionally carried out with MEGADETH, alongside Mustaine, Ellefson and Kerry King (SLAYER). That very same 12 months, Rauch left MEGADETH because of inner battle and was changed by Gar Samuelson. After exiting MEGADETH, Rauch carried out dwell with DARK ANGEL however by no means recorded something with the group. He was additionally a member of WARGOD, which was launched by guitarist Michelle Meldrum.