MEGADETH’s Dave Mustaine Says Former Members Won’t Return For Band’s Farewell Tour Due To Past “Behavior”

As Megadeth prepare to launch a multi-year farewell tour, founder Dave Mustaine has shut down the idea of bringing back any of the band’s most recognizable former players. The thrash icon says past “behavior” from one unnamed ex-member has made a classic-era reunion off the table.

While the band has gone through an extensive lineup carousel across four decades, his comment appears aimed at longtime bassist David Ellefson. Ellefson became a key fixture of Megadeth’s defining albums alongside Marty Friedman, Chris Poland, and the late Nick Menza. But in 2021, he was swiftly dismissed after explicit online videos of a sexual nature surfaced, leading to a public rift between the two musicians.

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Speaking with Eddie Trunk, Mustaine explained why he won’t be inviting past members back for the band’s swan-song run:

“I can’t really do that, because of the behavior of one of the band members in the past. I just can’t. Because, first off, it would be unfair to the other band members if I didn’t play with them as well.”

Mustaine did acknowledge that his special 2023 performance reunions with guitarist Marty Friedman were different:

“The thing about what we did with Marty in Japan, that was a no-brainer. That was brilliant. And I love Marty. We had our separation, and he went his way and we went our way.”

Reflecting further on relationships within Megadeth’s deep roster of alumni, he continued:

“My relationship with Chris (Poland) was really great, but it wasn’t as good as it was with Marty. My relationship with Jeff (Young) was good, but it wasn’t as good as it was with Marty. And I probably wouldn’t have a problem playing with any of the members of those two lineups. I’m just not gonna do anything that is gonna, in any way, seem unfair to the other band members.”

Since his exit, Ellefson has leaned into Megadeth’s legacy through his covers project Kings Of Thrash alongside Young, with Poland occasionally appearing. He’s also recently stated he’d welcome involvement in the farewell tour, but that door now appears firmly closed.

Mustaine’s planned global farewell run — which he jokingly calls his “farewell endgame” — begins next year, supporting both the band’s storied career and their upcoming self-titled final studio album due out January 23rd.

[Via Blabbermouth]

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