Ministry guitarist Mike Scaccia has died after collapsing onstage during a gig in Texas.
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.
It’s been reported that Scaccia died of a sudden heart attack brought on by a heart disease, b ut other sources say 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.
by Wallace McTavish
