Metallica drummer, keyboardist dies at 77

Metal Gear drummer, bassist, guitarist and guitarist Tom Morello, guitarist Lars Ulrich and keyboardist James Hetfield, along with drummer Kirk Hammett, were all killed in a plane crash in northern Italy, authorities said.

“The cause of death is unknown at this time,” a statement on the Italian air force’s website said.

“The three members of the band were members of an Italian air defense unit.”

The crash occurred Thursday morning in the northern Italian town of Sestriere, where the band had been playing gigs since 1986.

Hetfield had died in the crash, while Ulrich died in a separate crash in the same area.