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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Greg Handevidt

Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine after he was fired from Metallica. The first line-up, in 1983, after their name change from Fallen Angels, featured Mustaine on guitar, vocalist Lor Kane and bassist Matt Kisselstein. The band's current line-up includes consistent member Mustaine, bassist James LoMenzo (2006 to 2010, and since 2021), drummer Dirk Verbeuren (since 2016) and guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari (since 2023).

History

Lor Kane, the band's first vocalist, would quickly leave the group. After playing with various vocalists, including Billy Bonds and John Cyriis, Mustaine ultimately took up lead vocals himself. Megadeth recorded Last Rites, a three-song demo, in 1984, which featured drummer Lee Rauch. Slayer guitarist Kerry King covered live dates at Ruthie's Inn and The Stone while a permanent replacement was sought. Jazz fusion drummer Gar Samuelson would go on to join the band. After playing a few shows as a three-piece, guitarist Chris Poland also joined. 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. On the tour, Mustaine offered the drummer position to Exciter drummer Dan Beehler, though he declined the offer. Poland then rejoined Megadeth in October of the same year, shortly before they began work on Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? 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! Poland was initially replaced by Jay Reynolds, who proved unable to perform the solos in-studio and was replaced by Jeff Young, his guitar instructor. Samuelson was replaced in 1987 by Chuck Behler, who was his drum tech.

Marty Friedman became the band's first long term lead guitarist from 1990 till 2000.

During their world tour in support of So Far, So Good... in February 1988, Mustaine noticed problems developing with Behler. Six months later, Mustaine fired both Behler and Young. In July 1989, Nick Menza was hired to replace Behler on the drums. After a lengthy search for a new lead guitarist, Megadeth enlisted Marty Friedman, who officially joined in February 1990. 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". 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". Megadeth enlisted guitarist Al Pitrelli as Friedman's replacement in January 2000. In early 2002, Mustaine suffered several injuries, which led him to announce in a press release that Megadeth had disbanded. Following nearly a year of recovery, Mustaine began work on what was to be his first solo album. 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.

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. 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. Chris Poland was hired by Mustaine to contribute guitar solos for the new album. This marked the first time since the Rust in Peace demos that the two musicians had worked together.

Shawn Drover joined the band in 2004, replacing Nick Menza, and remained until 2014.

Poland opted to serve as a studio musician only, as he wished to remain focused on his own jazz fusion project, Ohm. Megadeth began a world tour in October 2004, enlisting bassist James MacDonough and guitarist Glen Drover. 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. 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. Two years later, Dave Mustaine announced that Glen Drover had quit Megadeth to focus on his family. He was replaced by Chris Broderick. On February 8, 2010, David Ellefson rejoined the band, replacing James LoMenzo.

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. Ellefson denied rumors that the band would disband, and said he and Mustaine would continue working on new music. In early 2015, Megadeth announced that Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro was hired as the new guitar player for the band 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.

Ellefson was dismissed from Megadeth amid allegations of sexual misconduct on May 14, 2021. Months later, former bassist James LoMenzo returned to the line-up for the Metal Tour Of The Year. LoMenzo officially became the band's new bassist in 2022.

In September 2023, Kiko Loureiro announced he would be taking a break from the tour in order to spend time with his children, with Teemu Mäntysaari filling in for the rest of the tour. However, in November 2023, Kiko stated he would be extending his break, entering an indefinite hiatus, while Mustaine confirmed that the band would go on with Mäntysaari as guitarist. That same month, Loureiro confirmed that he had left the band.

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Megadeth - Wacken Open Air 2023 37.jpg
Dave Mustaine
  • 1983–2002
  • 2003–present
  • guitars
  • lead vocals
  • piano
  • bass
All Megadeth releases
Megadeth - Wacken Open Air 2023 28.jpg
James LoMenzo
  • 2006–2010
  • 2021–present
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Megadeth - Wacken Open Air 2023 02.jpg
Dirk Verbeuren 2016–present (touring musician earlier in 2016) drums
20180804 Wacken Wacken Open Air Wintersun 0132.jpg
Teemu Mäntysaari 2023–present (touring musician earlier in 2023)
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
none to date

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Matt Kisselstein 1983 bass none
Robbie McKinney guitars
Greg Handevidt
Lor Kane vocals
Richard Girod drums
Megadeth @ Arena Joondalup.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)
John Cyriis 1983 lead vocals none
Billy Bonds
Brett Frederickson 1983 (died 2019) drums
Dijon Carruthers 1983
Lee Rauch 1984 (died 2023) Last Rites (contested)
Gar Samuelson 1984–1987 (died 1999)
Chris_Poland.png
Chris Poland
  • 1984–1985
  • 1985–1987
  • 1990 (session only)
  • 2004 (session only)
guitars
Mike Albert 1985 none
Kurdt Vanderhoof and Jay.jpg
Jay Reynolds 1987
Chuck Behler 1987–1989 drums So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
Jeff Young.jpg
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 (guest at two shows in 2023)
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
all Megadeth releases from Rust in Peace (1990) to Risk (1999)
Black_Star_Riders_%E2%80%93_Wacken_Open_Air_2014_17.jpg
Jimmy DeGrasso 1998–2002 drums
Savatage - Wacken Open Air 2015-0982.jpg
Al Pitrelli 2000–2002
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
  • The World Needs a Hero (2001)
  • Unplugged in Boston (2021)
  • Rude Awakening (2002)
Jimmie Lee Sloas 2004 bass The System Has Failed (2004)
Vinnie_Colaiuta_crop.jpg
Vinnie Colaiuta drums
Glen_Drover_performing_in_Dubai_with_Megadeth_2005.jpg
Glen Drover 2004–2008
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
James MacDonough 2004–2006
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (2005)
  • Gigantour (2006)
2004–2014
  • drums
  • backing vocals
all Megadeth releases from That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (2005) to Countdown to Extinction: Live (2013)
Chris Broderick Kiev.JPG
Chris Broderick 2008–2014
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
All Megadeth releases from Endgame (2009) to Super Collider (2013)
Megadeth - Wacken Open Air 2023 22.jpg
Kiko Loureiro 2015–2023
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
  • piano
  • flute
2015 RiP Lamb of God - Chris Adler by 2eight - 3SC5483.jpg
Chris Adler 2015–2016 drums Dystopia (2016)

Other contributors

Session

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Camp Freddy - Steve Jones - 2008.jpg
Steve Jones 1988 (guest) guitar solo on "Anarchy in the U.K." So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
Jimmie Wood 1994 harmonica on "Train of Consequences" and "Elysian Fields" Youthanasia (1994)
Bob Findley
  • 2001
  • 2013
  • trumpet on "Silent Scorn"
  • horn on "A House Divided"
Heather Keckler 2001 spoken word on "The World Needs a Hero" and "1000 Times Goodbye" The World Needs a Hero (2001)
Suzie Katayama 2001 strings on "Promises" and "Losing My Senses"
Ken Mary 2001 Pro Tools
Chrisvrennadrums.jpg
Chris Vrenna 2001–2002
Tim Akers 2004 keyboards The System Has Failed (2004)
Darien Bennet additional vocals on "Blackmail the Universe"
Michael Davis sound effects
Lance Dean additional vocals
Scott Harrison
Celeste Amber Montague additional vocals on "Blackmail the Universe"
Justis Mustaine backing spoken word vocals
Ralph Patlan
  • additional vocals
  • spoken word
Robert Venable additional vocals
Jonathan Yudkin
  • strings
  • banjo
Eric Darken
  • 2004
  • 2016
  • 2022
percussion
Charlie Judge
  • 2004
  • 2016
  • keyboards
  • orchestral arrangements
  • The System Has Failed (2004)
  • Dystopia (2016)
Chris Rodriguez
  • 2004–2011
  • 2016
backing vocals
Masterplan - Wacken Open Air 2023 38.jpg
Axel Mackenrott 2007 keyboards United Abominations (2007)
Cristina Scabbia Cropped.jpg
Cristina Scabbia guest 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"
Farah Siraj at Windmill Craftworks, Bangalore.jpg
Farah Siraj 2015 vocals on "The Threat Is Real" and "Poisonous Shadows" Dystopia (2016)
Miles Doleac voiceover in "Conquer or Die!"
Blair Masters
  • keyboards
  • programming
20140608 Gelsenkirchen RockHard 0924.jpg
Steve Di Giorgio 2021 bass The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! (2022)
Body Count feat. Ice-T With Full Force 2018 04.jpg
Ice-T guest vocals on "Night Stalkers"
San Francisco Trip - Sammy Hagar.jpg
Sammy Hagar guest vocals on "This Planet's on Fire"
Brandon Ray additional vocals on "The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!", "Life in Hell", "Sacrifice", "Junkie", "Killing Time", "Soldier On!", "Célebutante", "Mission to Mars" and "We'll Be Back"
Limanorwich_2014-03-02_14-03.jpg
Roger Lima
  • keyboards
  • effects
Luliia Tikhomirova voices on "Dogs of Chernobyl"
Bill Elliot voices on "Junkie"
John Clement voices on "Soldier On!" and "Mission to Mars"
The Marching Metal Bastards voices on "Soldier On!"
Maila Kaarina Rantanen voices on "Mission to Mars"

Live

Image Name Years active Instruments Notes
Slayer München 2016 (3 von 6).jpg
Kerry King 1984 (guest 2010) guitars Slayer guitarist Kerry King performed with the band when Mustaine became lead singer but did not join full time due to his commitment to Slayer. He later guested with the band in 2010.
Tony Laureano 2015–2016 drums Laureano substituted for Chris Adler when the latter's schedule wouldn't permit him to play.

Timeline

Line-ups

Period Members Studio releases
April–June 1983
(as Fallen Angels)
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • Matt Kisselstein – bass
  • Lor Kane – vocals
  • Robbie McKinney – guitar
none – rehearsals only
ca. June 1983
(as Megadeth)
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • Matt Kisselstein – bass
  • Lor Kane – vocals
  • Robbie McKinney – guitar
ca. June 1983
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • Lor Kane – vocals
  • Greg Handevidt – guitars
ca. June 1983
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • Lor Kane – vocals
  • Dave Ellefson - bass
  • Greg Handevidt – guitars
June–July 1983
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • Lor Kane – vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass
  • Dijon Carruthers – drums
Summer 1983
  • Dave Mustaine – lead guitar
  • Lor Kane – vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass
  • Greg Handevidt – guitar
  • Dijon Carruthers – drums
Summer 1983
  • Dave Mustaine – lead guitar
  • Lor Kane – vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass
  • Greg Handevidt – guitar
  • Richard Girod – drums
Unreleased demo
July–August 1983
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • David Ellefson – bass
  • Greg Handevidt – guitar
  • Richard Girod – drums
none – rehearsals only
August–September 1983
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • David Ellefson – bass
  • Greg Handevidt – guitar
  • Dijon Carruthers – drums
September–November 1983
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • David Ellefson – bass
  • Dijon Carruthers – drums
  • John Cyriis – vocals
1983
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Lee Rauch – drums
  • Billy Bonds – vocals
November–December 1983
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • David Ellefson – bass
  • Brett Frederickson – drums
December 1983 − April 1984
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Lee Rauch – drums
  • Kerry King – guitar
none – live shows and rehearsals
April–July 1984
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Lee Rauch – drums
none – rehearsals and 1984 demo
July–October 1984
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
none – rehearsals only
October–December 1984
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Gar Samuelson – drums
none – live shows only
December 1984 – July 1985
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, piano, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Gar Samuelson – drums
  • Chris Poland – guitar
July–October 1985
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, piano, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Gar Samuelson – drums
  • Mike Albert – guitar
none – live shows only
October 1985 – June 1987
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, piano, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Gar Samuelson – drums
  • Chris Poland – guitar
June–October 1987
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Chuck Behler – drums
  • Jay Reynolds – guitar
none – rehearsals only
October 1987 – January 1989
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Chuck Behler – drums
  • Jeff Young – guitar
January 1989 – July 1989
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Chuck Behler – drums
Rust in Peace demos
July 1989 – November 1989
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Nick Menza – drums, backing vocals
November 1989 – February 1990
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Nick Menza – drums, backing vocals
  • Chris Poland – guitar
Rust in Peace demos
February 1990 – July 1998
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Nick Menza – drums, backing vocals
  • Marty Friedman – guitar, backing vocals
July 1998 – January 2000
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Marty Friedman – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jimmy DeGrasso – drums
January 2000 – April 2002
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Jimmy DeGrasso – drums
  • Al Pitrelli – guitar, backing vocals
Inactive from April 2002 – October 2003
October 2003 – May 2004 none – sessions only
May–July 2004
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals (session)
  • Chris Poland – guitar (session)
  • Jimmie Lee Sloas – bass (session)
  • Vinnie Colaiuta – drums (session)
  • Tim Akers – keyboards (session)
  • Charlie Judge – keyboards (session)
  • Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals (session)
July–September 2004
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Nick Menza – drums, backing vocals
none – rehearsals only
September–October 2004
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Nick Menza – drums, backing vocals
  • James MacDonough – bass, backing vocals
  • Glen Drover – guitar, backing vocals
October 2004 – February 2006
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • James MacDonough – bass, backing vocals
  • Glen Drover – guitar, backing vocals
  • Shawn Drover – drums
none – live shows only
February–April 2006
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Glen Drover – guitar, backing vocals
  • Shawn Drover – drums
  • James LoMenzo – bass, backing vocals
April 2006 – January 2007
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals (session)
  • Glen Drover – guitar, backing vocals
  • Shawn Drover – drums, backing vocals
  • James LoMenzo – bass, backing vocals
  • Axel Mackenrott – keyboards (session)
January–November 2007
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Glen Drover – guitar, backing vocals
  • Shawn Drover – drums
  • James LoMenzo – bass, backing vocals
none – live shows only
November 2007 – February 2010
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, piano, vocals
  • Shawn Drover – drums, backing vocals
  • James LoMenzo – bass, backing vocals
  • Chris Broderick – guitar, backing vocals
February 2010 – November 2011
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals (session)
  • Shawn Drover – drums, backing vocals
  • Chris Broderick – guitar, backing vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
November 2011 – November 2014
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Shawn Drover – drums, backing vocals
  • Chris Broderick – guitar, backing vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
November 2014 – April 2015
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
none – rehearsals only
2014
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Nick Menza – drums
Dystopia demos
April–July 2015
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Kiko Loureiro – guitar, backing vocals
  • Chris Adler – drums
  • Charlie Judge – keyboards (session)
  • Blair Masters – keyboards (session)
  • Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals (session)
July 2015 – October 2015
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Kiko Loureiro – guitar, backing vocals
  • Chris Adler – drums
  • Tony Laureano – drums (touring)
May–July 2016
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Kiko Loureiro – guitar, piano, backing vocals
  • Chris Adler – drums
  • Dirk Verbeuren – drums (touring)
none – live shows only
July 2016 – May 2021
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
  • Kiko Loureiro – guitar, piano, backing vocals
  • Dirk Verbeuren – drums
May–June 2021
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals, bass
  • Kiko Loureiro – guitar, piano, backing vocals, flute
  • Dirk Verbeuren – drums
June–August 2021
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Kiko Loureiro – guitar, piano, backing vocals, flute
  • Dirk Verbeuren – drums
  • Steve Di Giorgio – bass (session)
August–December 2021
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Kiko Loureiro – guitar, piano, backing vocals, flute
  • Dirk Verbeuren – drums
  • Steve Di Giorgio – bass (session)
  • James LoMenzo – bass, backing vocals (touring)
December 2021 – November 2023
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Kiko Loureiro – guitar, piano, backing vocals
  • Dirk Verbeuren – drums
  • James LoMenzo – bass, backing vocals (touring till May 2022)
  • Teemu Mäntysaari – guitar, backing vocals (touring September 2023)
  • "Delivering the Goods" (2023) (single)
November 2023 – present
  • Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
  • Dirk Verbeuren – drums
  • James LoMenzo – bass, backing vocals
  • Teemu Mäntysaari – guitar, backing vocals

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