Word has come down that Jonathan “Jonny Z” Zazula has passed away last night, January, 31st, 2022. He was 69 years old. No cause of death has been revealed as of yet. Jon was the influential co-founder of Megaforce Records, who first signed Metallica and put thrash metal as a genre on the map when he released their 1983 debut album Kill ‘Em All. Over his 40-plus years career in music other bands he and his late wife Marsha were directly responsible for was Zazula signed and worked with other artists including: Disco Biscuits, Warren Haynes, Testament, Tad, Overkill, resurrected Ace Frehley”s (Kiss) Frehley’s Comet, King’s X, Fozzy, Ministry, Anthrax, Raven and many more. Marsha passed away a little more than a year ago on January, 10th 2021. In addition to Megaforce, Jon and Marsha booked and promorted countless early American and European metal tours, managed bands with Crazed Managment, and more. Jon was born in The Bronx, New York in 1952 and released his amazing memoir in 2019, Heavy Tales. RIP.
So sorry to hear that Jonny Zazula died. He literally changed the world as we know it.
Thank you Jonny and Marsha.#JonnyZazula #MarshaZazula #JonnyZ #MegaforceRecords pic.twitter.com/TQjnsiyrl7— Jeremy Wagner (@JeremyXWagner) February 1, 2022
https://twitter.com/MarkEglinton/status/1488634596195553292
RIP JONNY Z
— EXCITER (@ExciterBand) February 1, 2022
Sad to hear that Jonny Z, a massive legend in the metal world, has passed away. RIP Mr Z pic.twitter.com/6nvDZlq12z
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) February 1, 2022
The world of rock and metal would not be what it is today without Jon Zazula.
Jon's love of music and musicians was unwavering. A giant was lost today.
Rest In Peace Jon. pic.twitter.com/fiMt444mMn
— Megaforce Records (@megaforce) February 1, 2022
https://twitter.com/MurderFrontRow/status/1488646518781272064
💔💔💔💔💔💔💔😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭Goodnight!!! I’ll see you when I get there so wait up!!!! RIP Jon Zazula #devastated #BeyondWords #brokenhearted #RIP pic.twitter.com/JjqFPRxmG9
— Venom Inc (@venom_inc) February 1, 2022
So sad to hear of the passing of Jon Zazula. He was east coast and I was west coast in the early days of metal. He worked with so many amazing bands #ripjonzazula
— Brian Slagel (@brianslagel) February 1, 2022
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZc7CCTvDD-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZdHaT1uxbQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link