Ex-Megadeth drummer Nick Menza died on Saturday after collapsing on stage during a live performance.

The musician had been performing with his progressive jazz trio in Southern California when he collapsed, according to a family spokesman.

Menza's band OHM was three songs into a set at The Baked Potato in Studio City when he fell ill.

Friends and audience members performed first aid as they awaited paramedics, but the 51-year-old died at the club of a suspected massive heart attack.

Menza was Megadeth's longest-serving drummer, performing on five records over nine years, including 1990's thrash metal landmark, "Rust In Peace."

Dave Mustaine, co-founder of Megadeth, took to Twitter on hearing the news.

Marty Friedman, the band's guitarist from 1990 to 2000, wrote on Facebook that Menza was "a great and unique drummer" and "a trustworthy friend, a hilarious bandmate, as well as a very loving dad".

After leaving Megadeth in 1998, Menza pursued an interest in jazz and became an accomplished woodworker.