Ministry Guitarist Dies On-Stage

Guitarist Mike Scaccia has died at the age of 47, after having a reported heart attack on-stage in America.

According to Blabbermouth, Scaccia – a member of Ministry, Rigor Mortis and Revolting Cocks – was playing at The Rail Club in Fort Worth, Texas, for the 50th birthday celebration of Rigor Mortis' frontman Bruce Corbitt when he collapsed shortly after asking for the strobe lights to be turned off. He is believed to have had a heart attack.

He was pronounced dead in a nearby hospital.

On his Facebook Corbitt said, “My brother is gone! The only reason I am who I am is because of this man. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't even be in a band.”

Ministry's frontman Al Jourgensen posted his own tribute on Ministry's Facebook, writing, “I just lost my lil' brother and my best friend – the 13th Planet compound is devastated, completely in shock and shattered. 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.”