Gar Samuelson
Encyclopedia
Gary C. "Gar" Samuelson (February 18, 1958 in Dunkirk, New York – July 22, 1999 in Orange City, Florida
) was a drummer for thrash metal
band Megadeth
, working in it from 1984–1987.
. It is known that he and Chris Poland
played in a jazz fusion
band called The New Yorkers, and that before this, both practiced and played together for many years.
After meeting with Dave Mustaine
and Dave Ellefson of Megadeth
in 1984, he joined the band, and Poland soon followed, this being what Mustaine refers to as 'the first real line-up'. Samuelson would go on to serve as the band's drummer until 1987, appearing on the albums Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!
, and Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?, as well as serving through tours, until he was ultimately fired for his extreme drug addictions, especially heroin. Gar's style was heavily influenced by years of jazz training. This is exemplified in the tracks "These Boots" and "Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!". Samuelson's work on Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? was slightly simpler and more economical to the song structure, which had evolved rapidly from the debut album. He was considered a very unorthodox drummer among the other thrash metal bands of the 1980s. He and his brother Stew, along with Billy Brehme, Travis Karcher and Andy Freeman, formed Fatal Opera, which released a self-titled album in 1995 and the Eleventh Hour in 1997.
Gar is known as one of the first drummers to use DW drums
. He used DW drums
, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo
drum heads, and what was known to be early Vater Drumsticks.
on July 22, 1999; the cause of death was reportedly liver failure
. His body was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean
; also, a memorial service was made in Lankford Chapel. It is unknown if Mustaine or any other Megadeth members attended these ceremonies.
On July 25, 1999, Mustaine dedicated a performance of the song "Peace Sells
" in Samuelson's memory, at the Woodstock Festival
. Long-time friend and fellow bandmate Chris Poland said about Samuelson: "He was a true friend. Everything I know about—time, rhythm and feel—I learned from Gar, so I'll always hear his voice in my music." His drumming was an influence in variations of extreme metal.
The 2002 remixed and remastered version of 'Killing Is My Business..." is "dedicated to the memory of Gar Samuelson".
Orange City, Florida
Orange City is a city located in Volusia County, Florida. In the 2000 census the city had a total population of 6,604. In 2004 the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 7,172.-Geography:Orange City is located at ....
) was a drummer for thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, working in it from 1984–1987.
Biography
Little is known about Samuelson before he joined MegadethMegadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
. It is known that he and Chris Poland
Chris Poland
Chris Poland is an American guitarist, best known for being a former member of heavy metal band Megadeth.-Early career:...
played in a jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
band called The New Yorkers, and that before this, both practiced and played together for many years.
After meeting with Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
and Dave Ellefson of Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
in 1984, he joined the band, and Poland soon followed, this being what Mustaine refers to as 'the first real line-up'. Samuelson would go on to serve as the band's drummer until 1987, appearing on the albums Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!
Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!
Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth, released in June 1985 through Combat and Relativity Records. During the beginning of 1985, the band was given $8,000 by Combat Records to record and produce their debut album, but this...
, and Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?, as well as serving through tours, until he was ultimately fired for his extreme drug addictions, especially heroin. Gar's style was heavily influenced by years of jazz training. This is exemplified in the tracks "These Boots" and "Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!". Samuelson's work on Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? was slightly simpler and more economical to the song structure, which had evolved rapidly from the debut album. He was considered a very unorthodox drummer among the other thrash metal bands of the 1980s. He and his brother Stew, along with Billy Brehme, Travis Karcher and Andy Freeman, formed Fatal Opera, which released a self-titled album in 1995 and the Eleventh Hour in 1997.
Gar is known as one of the first drummers to use DW drums
Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
. He used DW drums
Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo
Remo
Remo is a male given name of Latin origin - see Romulus and Remus.Remo may also refer to:* Remo, an American drum skin company* Remo , another name for the German wine grape Riesling* Remo language, a Panoan language of Brazil and Peru...
drum heads, and what was known to be early Vater Drumsticks.
Death
Samuelson died at the age of 41 in Orange City, FloridaOrange City, Florida
Orange City is a city located in Volusia County, Florida. In the 2000 census the city had a total population of 6,604. In 2004 the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 7,172.-Geography:Orange City is located at ....
on July 22, 1999; the cause of death was reportedly liver failure
Liver failure
Acute liver failure is the appearance of severe complications rapidly after the first signs of liver disease , and indicates that the liver has sustained severe damage . The complications are hepatic encephalopathy and impaired protein synthesis...
. His body was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
; also, a memorial service was made in Lankford Chapel. It is unknown if Mustaine or any other Megadeth members attended these ceremonies.
On July 25, 1999, Mustaine dedicated a performance of the song "Peace Sells
Peace Sells
"Peace Sells" is a song by the American thrash metal band Megadeth from the 1986 album Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, written by Dave Mustaine. It, along with Wake Up Dead from the same album, has been a staple at Megadeth concerts. Lyrically, it deals with negative stereotypes about...
" in Samuelson's memory, at the Woodstock Festival
Woodstock 1999
Woodstock 1999, also called Woodstock 99, performed July 22–25, 1999, was the second large-scale music festival that attempted to emulate the original Woodstock Festival of 1969. Like the previous Woodstock festivals it was performed in upstate New York, this time in Rome, New York, around 200...
. Long-time friend and fellow bandmate Chris Poland said about Samuelson: "He was a true friend. Everything I know about—time, rhythm and feel—I learned from Gar, so I'll always hear his voice in my music." His drumming was an influence in variations of extreme metal.
The 2002 remixed and remastered version of 'Killing Is My Business..." is "dedicated to the memory of Gar Samuelson".