Gary Charles "Gar" Samuelson (February 18, 1958 – July 14, 1999) was an American musician best remembered for being the drummer for

thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...

band

Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along wit ...

from 1984 to 1987, contributing to their first two albums, '' Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!'' (1985) 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 Jazz fusion (also known as fusion and progressive jazz) is a music genre that developed in the late 1960s when musicians combined jazz harmony and improvisation with rock music, funk, and rhythm and blues. Electric guitars, amplifiers, and ke ...

into the subgenre. Samuelson initially cut his teeth playing for The New Yorkers, a stint that lasted from the late '70s into the early '80s. Whether the band actually released any material is unknown. After meeting with

Dave Mustaine David Scott Mustaine (born September 13, 1961) is an American musician. He is the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter of the thrash metal band Megadeth, as well as their sole consistent member. Mustaine has rele ...

and

Dave Ellefson David Warren Ellefson (born November 12, 1964) is an American musician, best known for his long tenure as the bassist for thrash metal band Megadeth. Ellefson initially became an accomplished bassist and honed his songwriting skills while leadin ...

of Megadeth in 1984, he was asked to join the band. Guitarist Chris Poland soon followed, and Mustaine has since referred to this as "the first real line-up." 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 and pawning band equipment for drug money with Chris Poland. After leaving Megadeth, he played in the band Fatal Opera, which also featured his brother Stew on guitar. Samuelson played on two full-length albums and two demos, and remained a member of the band until his death. Samuelson died in Orange City, Florida, on July 14, 1999, at the age of 41. The cause of death was reportedly liver failure. His former bandmates in Megadeth dedicated the 2002 remaster of ''Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good'' to "the memory of Gar Samuelson".

Discography

Megadeth * '' Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!'' (1985) * '' Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?'' (1986) Fatal Opera * ''Fatal Opera'' (1995) * ''The Eleventh Hour'' (1997)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuelson, Gar 1958 births 1999 deaths People from Orange City, Florida Musicians from New York (state) American jazz drummers American heavy metal drummers Megadeth members Deaths from liver failure People from Dunkirk, New York American people of Swedish descent 20th-century American drummers American male drummers Jazz musicians from New York (state) American male jazz musicians 20th-century American male musicians