Gar Samuelson

Gar Samuelson
Background information
Birth name	Gary C. Samuelson
Born	(1958-02-18)February 18, 1958 Dunkirk, New York, US
Died	July 14, 1999(1999-07-14) (aged 41) Clewer, Orange City, Florida, US
Genres	Jazz, heavy metal, speed metal, thrash metal, jazz fusion
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Drums, percussion, timpani
Years active	1975–1999
Labels	Capital, Combat
Associated acts	Megadeth, Fatal Opera

Gary C. "Gar" Samuelson (February 18, 1958 – July 14, 1999) was an American musician best remembered for being the drummer for American thrash metal band Megadeth from 1984-1987, contributing to their first two albums Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! and Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?. He is considered as one of the most influential drummers to thrash metal, having pioneered the incorporation of jazz fusion into the subgenre.^[1]

History

Samuelson was born in Dunkirk, New York, 1958; little else is known of his life before he joined Megadeth. His father was Charles (Russell) Samuelson (b. 1924), a mechanic and US Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Philippines. His mother was Mary Samuelson (née Waite). The family moved to Florida in the early Eighties. His grandparents were Harvey Andrew (Harry) Samuelson (b. 1888), a grocer and miller from Chautauqua County, New York and mother Minnie J Hooker (with a Swedish mother). His great-grandparents, John Samuelson (b. 1852) and Bertha (b. 1857) were both born in Sweden. Gar's siblings were his brother Stewart R. Samuelson and two sisters, Mary Ann Samuelson-Unlu and Amelia J. Duke. He also has two half brothers from his mother's previous marriage, Bernard Haagensen and Rolf Haagensen.

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 drug addiction.^[2][3] Gar's style was heavily influenced by years of jazz training. This is exemplified in the tracks "These Boots", "Rattlehead", 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.

Samuelson 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.

Death

Samuelson died at the age of 41 in Orange City, Florida, on July 14, 1999; the cause of death was reportedly liver failure.^[1][2] His body was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean; also, a memorial service was held in Lankford Chapel. Neither Mustaine nor 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 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."

The 2002 remixed and remastered version of Killing Is My Business... is "dedicated to the memory of Gar Samuelson".^[2]

References