List of Megadeth band members

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Megadeth band members
2008–2010 line-up, performing live at Metalmania 2008

Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine along with bassist David Ellefson, guitarist Greg Handevidt, and drummer Dijon Carruthers, in 1983.[1] Early in 1984, Megadeth recorded Last Rites, a three-song demo. The demo featured new drummer Lee Rausch.[2] Slayer guitarist Kerry King covered live dates while a permanent replacement was sought.[1] This lineup was short-lived and after a few shows in 1984, Lee Rausch was replaced by jazz fusion drummer Gar Samuelson, in addition to the second guitarist Chris Poland.[3] During Megadeth's 1985 tour promoting their debut album, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, Poland left the band and was temporarily replaced by Mike Albert. Poland then rejoined Megadeth in October of the same year, shortly before they began work on Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?.[1] After years of problems stemming from substance abuse, Mustaine fired both Poland and Samuelson before recording the third album So Far, So Good... So What!, being replaced by Jeff Young and Chuck Behler, respectively.[3]

During their world tour in support of So Far, So Good... in February 1988, Mustaine noticed problems developing with Behler.[4] Six months later, Mustaine fired both Behler and Young.[3] In July 1989, Nick Menza was hired to replace Behler on the drums.[1] After a lengthy search for a new lead guitarist, Megadeth enlisted Marty Friedman, who officially joined in February 1990.[5] The lineup remained unchanged for almost eight years, until Menza discovered a tumor on his knee, which forced him to leave the tour to undergo surgery. He was replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso, temporarily at first. Following the Ozzfest tour in 1998, however, DeGrasso replaced Menza permanently, after Mustaine claimed that Menza had "lied about having cancer".[6] Following the release of Risk, the band began a new world tour in September 1999. Three months into the tour, Friedman announced that he would be leaving the band, citing "musical differences".[1] Megadeth enlisted guitarist Al Pitrelli as Friedman's replacement in January 2000.[1] In early 2002, Mustaine suffered several injuries, which led him to announce in a press release that Megadeth had disbanded.[7] Following nearly a year of recovery, Mustaine began work on what was to be his first solo album.[8] The new material was recorded with session musicians Vinnie Colaiuta and Jimmy Lee Sloas, but the project was put on hold when Mustaine agreed to remix and remaster Megadeth's eight-album back catalog with Capitol Records.[3]

In May 2004, Mustaine returned to his newest recordings, intended as a solo effort, but because of outstanding contractual obligations with the band's European label EMI, he was forced to release one more album under the "Megadeth" name.[8] Mustaine decided to reform the band, and contacted the Rust in Peace line-up to re-record backing tracks on his latest songs. While drummer Nick Menza initially signed on, Marty Friedman and David Ellefson were both unable to come to an agreement with Mustaine.[9] Chris Poland was hired by Mustaine to contribute only with guitar solos to the new album.[1] Megadeth began a world tour in October 2004, enlisting bassist James MacDonough and guitarist Glen Drover.[1] While in rehearsal for the tour, newly returned drummer Nick Menza once again parted ways with the band, as he was unable to prepare for the physical demands of a full U.S. tour.[10] He was replaced five days before the first show by Shawn Drover, brother of new guitarist Glen Drover. In February 2006, MacDonough left the band, citing "personal differences" for his decision, and was replaced by bassist James LoMenzo.[11] Two years later, Dave Mustaine announced that Glen Drover had quit Megadeth to focus on his family. He was replaced by Chris Broderick.[12] On February 8, 2010, David Ellefson rejoined the band, replacing James LoMenzo.[13]

In late November 2014, Shawn Drover quit the band after ten years, wanting to pursue his own musical interests. This was quickly followed by the departure of Chris Broderick, due to artistic and musical differences.[14] Ellefson denied rumors that the band would disband, and said he and Mustaine would continue working on new music.[15] In early 2015, Megadeth announced that Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro was hired as the new guitar player for the band[16] to record Megadeth's fifteenth studio album alongside Lamb of God's drummer, Chris Adler. On July 7, 2016, Soilwork's Dirk Verbeuren was announced as Megadeth's new drummer.

In May 2021, David Ellefson was dismissed from Megadeth amid allegations of sexual misconduct.[17][18][19] His dismissal date was later confirmed to be May 14, 2021.[20] Months later it was announced that former bassist James LoMenzo had returned to the line-up for the Metal Tour Of The Year. [21]

Members[]

Current[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Megadeth @ Arena Joondalup (12 12 2010) (5272639661).jpg
 Dave Mustaine 1983–2002, 2004–present guitars, acoustic guitar, lead vocals, piano All Megadeth releases
W1869-Hellfest2014 Angra KikoLoureiro 87038.JPG
 Kiko Loureiro 2015–present guitars, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, piano Dystopia (2016) and The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! (2022)
Tuska 20130629 - Soilwork - 24.jpg Dirk Verbeuren 2016–present drums The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! (2022)

Former[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Megadeth @ Arena Joondalup (12 12 2010) (5272639753).jpg
 David Ellefson 1983–2002, 2010–2021 bass, backing vocals All Megadeth releases from Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985) to Rude Awakening (2002), and from Rust in Peace Live (2010) to Dystopia (2016)
Dijon Carruthers 1983 drums none
Richard Girod
Lee Rausch 1984 Last Rites demo (1984)
Gar Samuelson 1984–1987 (died 1999) Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985) and Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986)
Greg Handevidt 1983 guitars none
Chris Poland 1984–1985, 1985–1987, 2004 (session only) Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985), Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986), and The System Has Failed (2004)
Jay Reynolds 1987 none
Chuck Behler 1987–1989 drums So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
Jeff Young guitars
Nick Menza 1989–1998, 2004 (died 2016) drums, backing vocals All Megadeth releases from Rust in Peace (1990) to Cryptic Writings (1997)
Marty Friedman 13.jpg Marty Friedman 1990–2000 guitars, backing vocals All Megadeth releases from Rust in Peace (1990) to Risk (1999)
Jimmy DeGrasso by bigdrumthump.jpg Jimmy DeGrasso 1998–2002 drums, backing vocals Risk (1999), The World Needs a Hero (2001), and Rude Awakening (2002)
Al Pitrelli Guitar.jpg Al Pitrelli 2000–2002 guitars, backing vocals The World Needs a Hero (2001) and Rude Awakening (2002)
Megadeth live in Bucharest, Shawn Drover.jpg Shawn Drover 2004–2014 drums All Megadeth releases from That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (2005) to Countdown to Extinction: Live (2013)
Glen Drover performing in Dubai with Megadeth 2005.jpg Glen Drover 2004–2008 guitars, backing vocals That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (2005), Gigantour (2006), and United Abominations (2007)
James MacDonough.jpg James MacDonough 2004–2006 bass That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (2005) and Gigantour (2006)
Metalmania 2008 Megadeth James LoMenzo 01.jpg James LoMenzo 2006–2010
(touring member 2021–present[22]) 		bass, backing vocals United Abominations (2007) and Endgame (2009)
Chris Boderick Metalmania 2008 cropped.jpg Chris Broderick 2008–2014 guitars, backing vocals All Megadeth releases from Endgame (2009) to Super Collider (2013)
2015 RiP Lamb of God - Chris Adler by 2eight - 3SC5483.jpg Chris Adler 2015–2016 drums Dystopia (2016)

Session[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Camp Freddy - Steve Jones - 2008.jpg Steve Jones 1988 guitar solo on "Anarchy in the U.K." So Far, So Good... So What!
Jimmie Wood 1994 harmonica on "Train of Consequences" and "Elysian Fields" Youthanasia
Heather Keckler 2001 Spoken word on "The World Needs a Hero" and "1000 Times Goodbye" The World Needs a Hero
Bob Findley 2001, 2013 Trumpet on "Silent Scorn", horn on "A House Divided" The World Needs a Hero (2001), Super Collider (2013)
Suzie Katayama 2001 strings on "Promises" and "Losing My Senses" The World Needs a Hero
Ken Mary 2001 Pro Tools
Chrisvrennadrums (cropped).jpg Chris Vrenna 2001–2002 The World Needs a Hero and Killing is My Business... Remastered
Vinnie Colaiuta.jpg Vinnie Colaiuta 2004 drums The System Has Failed (2004)
Jimmie Lee Sloas bass
Tim Akers keyboards
Darien Bennet additional vocals on "Blackmail the Universe"
Eric Darken 2004, 2016 percussion The System Has Failed (2004), Dystopia (2016)
Michael Davis 2004 sound effects The System Has Failed (2004)
Lance Dean additional vocals
Scott Harrison
Charlie Judge keyboards
Celeste Amber Montague additional vocals on "Blackmail the Universe"
Justis Mustaine backing spoken word vocals
Ralph Patlan additional vocals, spoken word
Chris Rodriguez 2004–2011, 2016 background vocals The System Has Failed (2004), United Abominations (2007), Endgame (2009), Thirteen (2011), Dystopia (2016)
Robert Venable 2004 additional vocals The System Has Failed (2004)
Jonathan Yudkin strings, banjo
Axel Mackenrott 2007 keyboards United Abominations (2007)
Cristina Scabbia Cropped.jpg Cristina Scabbia backing vocals on "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)"
Brett Caldas-Lima spoken word vocals on "United Abominations"
Marie Soler
Chris Clancy 2009 backing vocals Endgame (2009)
Mark Newby-Robson keyboards on "The Hardest Part of Letting Go...Sealed with a Kiss"
Disturbed - Rock am Ring 2016 -2016155182402 2016-06-03 Rock am Ring - Sven - 1D X - 0147 - DV3P9519 mod.jpg David Draiman 2013 vocals on "Dance in the Rain" Super Collider (2013)
Yao Zhao cello on "Dance in the Rain"
Tom Cunningham Fiddle on "The Blackest Crow", violin on "Dance in the Rain"
The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band (Brian Costello, Sean Costello, Mary Kate Peterson) bagpipes on "Built for War"
Electra Mustaine backing vocals on "Forget to Remember" and "Beginning of Sorrow"
Sarah Phelps backing vocals on "Beginning of Sorrow"
Willie Gee guest speaker on "The Blackest Crow"
Charlie Judge 2016 orchestra & arrangements on "Poisonous Shadows" Dystopia (2016)
Farah Siraj at Windmill Craftworks, Bangalore.jpg Farah Siraj vocals on "The Threat Is Real" and "Poisonous Shadows"
Miles Doleac voiceover in "Conquer or Die!"
Blair Masters keyboards, programming

Live[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Slayer München 2016 (3 von 6).jpg Kerry King 1984 guitars none
Mike Albert 1985
Tony Laureano 2015–2016 drums

Timeline[]

References[]

General
  • "Timeline of the band's history". Megadeth.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  • "Band lineups". Megadeth.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Timeline of the band's history". Megadeth.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  2. ^ "Megadeth.com – History". Archived from the original on January 1, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Megadeth Biography". AllMusic. TiVo Corporation. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  4. ^ Doreian, Robyn (September 1990). "The Big Four". Hot Metal Magazine. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  5. ^ Stix, John (1990). "A Founding Forefather of Thrash". Guitar for the Practicing Musician. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  6. ^ "An Ugly American". March 2001. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  7. ^ "Dave Mustaine suffers serious injury, announces departure from Megadeth; Group disbanding after nearly 20 years together" (Press release). Megadeth.com. April 3, 2002. Archived from the original on October 21, 2006. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  8. ^ a b Nalbandian, Bob. "Dave Mustaine Interview, Pt. 6". HardRadio. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
  9. ^ Nalbandian, Bob. "Dave Mustaine Interview, Pt. 2". HardRadio. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
  10. ^ "Megadeth Tour Manager Talks About Drummer Nick Menza's Departure". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. November 5, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  11. ^ "Ex-Megadeth Bassist MacDonough: 'There Is No Animosity Here'". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. February 20, 2006. Archived from the original on July 10, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  12. ^ "Gigantour 2008 North American tour dates announced; Megadeth to headline bill with In Flames, Children of Bodom, Job for a Cowboy and High on Fire" (Press release). Megadeth.com. January 14, 2008. Archived from the original on November 8, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  13. ^ "Bassist David Ellefson Returns To Megadeth Line-Up" (Press release). Megadeth.com. February 8, 2010. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  14. ^ Kielty, Martin (November 26, 2014). "Broderick & Drover Quit Megadeth". Classic Rock. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  15. ^ Kaufman, Spencer (December 2, 2014). "Megadeth's David Ellefson: We Are Not Disbanding". Loudwire. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  16. ^ "Kiko Loureiro joins Megadeth". Loudwire. Megadeth. April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  17. ^ "Statement from Megadeth". megadeth.com. May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021. We are informing our fans that David Ellefson is no longer playing with Megadeth and we are parting ways with him. We do not take this decision lightly.
  18. ^ @Megadeth (May 24, 2021). "Statement from Megadeth" (Tweet). Retrieved May 24, 2021 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Jordan Moreau (May 24, 2021). "Megadeth Fires Bassist David Ellefson After Sexual Misconduct Allegations". Variety. Retrieved May 24, 2021. Heavy metal band Megadeth has parted ways with bassist David Ellefson after he was accused of sexual misconduct.
  20. ^ Pasbani, Robert (June 9, 2021). "David Ellefson Was Actually Fired From MEGADETH Four Days After Sexual Allegations Surfaced, New Details from Revenge Porn Report". Metal Injection.
  21. ^ "MEGADETH ENLIST BASSIST JAMES LOMENZO FOR TOUR WITH LAMB OF GOD". www.revolvermag.com. August 11, 2021.
  22. ^ Joe DiVita. "Megadeth Announce New Touring Bassist as Replacement for David Ellefson". Loudwire. Retrieved August 11, 2021.

External links[]

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