Editing Gar Samuelson (section)

== Career ==

=== Early career ===
Samuelson initially started out playing for The New Yorkers, which included himself, his brother Stew, [[Chris Poland]] and Robbie Pagliari, among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.classicrockhistory.com/chris-poland-the-classicrockhistory-com-interview/|title=Chris Poland: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview|work=Classic Rock History.com|accessdate=August 3, 2023|last=Montalbano|first=Anthony}}</ref> The stint lasted from the late '70s into the early '80s.

=== Megadeth ===
After meeting with [[Dave Mustaine]] and [[Dave Ellefson]] of Megadeth in 1984, he was asked to join the band on October 24, 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/dave-mustaines-remorse-about-megadeths-gar-samuelson/|title=Dave Mustaine's Remorse About Megadeth's Gar Samuelson|work=Rock Celebrities|date=November 4, 2022|accessdate=August 3, 2023|last=Cobanoglu|first=Cansu}}</ref> Guitarist [[Chris Poland]] soon followed, and Mustaine referred to this as "the first real line-up" in the [[VH1]] special on the band.<ref>VH1: Megadeth – Behind the Music DVD – October 2001 26 minutes, 35 seconds.</ref> Mustaine stated in an interview with [[Metal Forces]], that Samuelson was able to "mix up a beat."<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/feature-megadeth-mf12/|title=Megadeth - Love it to Death|last=Doe|first=Bernard|date=1985|journal=[[Metal Forces]]|issue=12}}</ref>

Samuelson went on to serve as Megadeth's drummer until 1987.<ref name="Megadeth_site">{{cite web|title=Megadeth history from 1984 to '87|url=http://www.megadeth.com/history#1987|publisher=Megadeth.com|access-date=August 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906102158/http://www.megadeth.com/history#1987|archive-date=September 6, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>  He appeared on the band's first two albums (''Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good,'' and ''Peace Sells... but Who's Buying'')'','' and played with them on both tours. However, Samuelson was ultimately fired due to his drug addiction.<ref name="Kielty" />

At the [[Woodstock '99|Woodstock Festival]] in 1999, Mustaine announced to the crowd that Gar had died. In honor of Gar, Megadeth played Peace Sells as the closing song in their set.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ngrrgt/woodstock-99-report-57-megadeth-close-festival-as-fires-ignite-crowd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603045056/https://www.mtv.com/news/ngrrgt/woodstock-99-report-57-megadeth-close-festival-as-fires-ignite-crowd|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 3, 2023|title=Woodstock '99 Report #57: Megadeth Close Festival As Fires Ignite Crowd|work=MTV News|date=July 26, 1999|accessdate=August 4, 2023|last=van Horn|first=Teri}}</ref>

=== Later career ===
After leaving Megadeth, Gar formed a band with Megadeth touring musician, Mike Albert. The band, called Metalist, disbanded prior to signing to record label Combat Records.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

Gar later formed the band [[Fatal Opera]], which featured his brother Stew on guitar. The first album, which was released in 1994, had Dave Inman on vocals, Travis Karcher playing bass and Billy Brehme on guitar.  The band's second album, Eleventh Hour, was released in 1997 and featured Andy Freeman on vocals. Fatal Opera 3, which was a collection of demos, was worked on extensively by his former bandmates and released in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Former-MEGADETH-Members-Unite-to-Honor-Drummer-Gar-Samuelson-20220131|title=Former MEGADETH Members Unite to Honor Drummer Gar Samuelson|work=Broadway World|date=January 31, 2022|accessdate=February 12, 2024}}</ref>

Samuelson played on two full-length albums and two demos, and remained a member of the band until his death.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}