MEGADETH‘s Dave Mustaine has paid tribute to the band’s former drummer Lee Rauch, who handed away on Friday, June 23. No reason for loss of life has been revealed. He was reportedly 58 years previous.

Earlier as we speak (Tuesday, June 27),Mustaine took to social media to share an early photograph of Rauch behind his drum package, and he included the next message: “One in all MEGADETH‘s very first drummers, Lee Rauch, has handed away. He performed on the recording of our ‘Final Rites’ demo tape in early 1984, and I can keep in mind the great instances throughout our rehearsals at Curly Joe’s studio in LA.

“Farewell, my pal, until we meet once more sometime.”

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 greatest metallic names in historical past by being the primary drummer for MEGADETH, taking part in alongside aspect Dave Mustaine, Kerry King and David Ellifson. His coronary heart was set on making it huge and got here very shut quite a few instances.

“Lee was a really loving and giving particular person who was extraordinarily exhausting working, he continued to play drums later in his life for the church which made him joyful. 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 way in which I ought to have, I liked him very a lot and he might be vastly missed to my core.

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

“There might be a memorial service held for Lee, when now we have 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 sooner or later sitting on the steps of Billy Cordero‘s home, when David Ellefson and I have been squatting…we simply form 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 if you happen to actually do the precise act of giving your soul to Devil, it’s a must 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 mentioned, ‘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 yr, Rauch left MEGADETH because of inside battle and was changed by Gar Samuelson. After exiting MEGADETH, Rauch carried out stay 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.