Ministry guitarist Mike Scaccia has died after collapsing onstage during a gig in Texas on Saturday (December 22) night.
The metal musician was 47 years old.
Scaccia’s bandmate, Al Jourgensen, Ministry’s lead singer, confirmed news of his passing via Facebook yesterday. He wrote:
I just lost my lil’ brother and my best friend… Mikey was not only the best guitar player in the history of music, but he was a close, close, close part of our family – and I just lost a huge chunk of my heart today. Our lives are forever changed. Life without Mikey is like orange juice without pulp – kind of bland. I have no words to express what this guy meant to me, my family, my career….everything!
He added: “Rest in peace my brother, my friend, my heart. Please pray for Mike Scaccia and Jenny, his wife and their children, and his family.”
Scaccia was performing as part of a 50th birthday concert for Rigor Mortis singer Bruce Corbitt at the Rail Club in Fort Worth. After collapsing, he was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that Scaccia died of a sudden heart attack brought on by a heart disease.
Blabbermouth however, reports that Scaccia suffered a seizure after asking for strobe lights in the venue to be turned off.
Scaccia was originally a member of thrash band Rigor Mortis, but joined Ministry in 1989. He rejoined Rigor Mortis in 2003.