List of Megadeth band members

Megadeth band members
2008–2010 line-up, performing live at Metalmania in Spodek, on March 8, 2008

Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine—after he departed from Metallica—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, who replaced Carruthers.[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 touring 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 as a recording session member. On July 7, 2016, Soilwork's Dirk Verbeuren was announced as Megadeth's new drummer.

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
 Dave Mustaine 1983–2002, 2004–present electric guitar, acoustic guitar, lead vocals All Megadeth releases
 David Ellefson 1983–2002, 2010–present 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 present
 Kiko Loureiro 2015–present electric guitar, backing vocals Dystopia (2016)
Dirk Verbeuren 2016–present drums, percussion none

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Lawrence Kane 1983 lead vocals none
John Cyriis 1983 lead vocals none
Matt Kisselstein 1983 bass none
Greg Handevidt 1983 guitar none
Dijon Carruthers 1983 drums, percussion none
Brett Phillips 1983 guitar none
Lee Rausch 1984 drums, percussion Last Rites demo (1984)
Kerry King 1984 guitar none
Gar Samuelson 1984–1987 drums, percussion Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985) and Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986)
Chris Poland 1984–85, 85–87,

2004 (session only)

 guitar 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 guitar none
Chuck Behler 1987–1989 drums, percussion So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
Jeff Young 1987–1989 guitar So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
Nick Menza 1989–1998, 2004, 2014 drums, percussion, backing vocals All Megadeth releases from Rust in Peace (1990) to Cryptic Writings (1997)
Marty Friedman 1990–2000 guitar, backing vocals All Megadeth releases from Rust in Peace (1990) to Risk (1999)
Jimmy DeGrasso 1998–2002 drums, percussion, backing vocals Risk (1999), The World Needs a Hero (2001), and Rude Awakening (2002)
Al Pitrelli 2000–2002 guitar, backing vocals The World Needs a Hero (2001) and Rude Awakening (2002)
Shawn Drover 2004–2014 drums, percussion All Megadeth releases from That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (2005) to Countdown to Extinction: Live (2013)
Glen Drover 2004–2008 guitar, backing vocals That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (2005), Gigantour (2006), and United Abominations (2007)
James MacDonough 2004–2006 bass That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (2005) and Gigantour (2006)
James LoMenzo 2006–2010 bass, backing vocals United Abominations (2007) and Endgame (2009)
Chris Broderick 2008–2014 guitar, backing vocals All Megadeth releases from Endgame (2009) to Super Collider (2013)
Chris Adler 2015-2016 Drums Dystopia (2016)

Session

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
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
Chris Vrenna 2001-2002 Pro tools The World Needs a Hero and Killing is My Business... Remastered
Vinnie Colaiuta 2004 drums, percussion The System Has Failed (2004)
Jimmie Lee Sloas 2004 bass The System Has Failed (2004)
Tim Akers 2004 keyboards The System Has Failed (2004)
Darien Bennet 2004 additional vocals on "Blackmail the Universe" The System Has Failed (2004)
Eric Darken 2004, 2016 percussion The System Has Failed (2004), Dystopia (2016)
Michael Davis 2004 sound effects The System Has Failed (2004)
Lance Dean 2004 Additional vocals The System Has Failed (2004)
Scott Harrison 2004 additional vocals The System Has Failed (2004)
Charlie Judge 2004 keyboards The System Has Failed (2004)
Celeste Amber Montague 2004 additional vocals on "Blackmail the Universe" The System Has Failed (2004)
Justis Mustaine 2004 backing spoken word vocals The System Has Failed (2004)
Ralph Patlan 2004 additional vocals, spoken word The System Has Failed (2004)
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 2004 strings, banjo The System Has Failed (2004)
Axel Mackenrott 2007 keyboards United Abominations (2007)
Cristina Scabbia 2007 backing vocals on "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)" United Abominations (2007)
Brett Caldas-Lima 2007 spoken words vocals on "United Abominations" United Abominations (2007)
Marie Soler 2007 spoken words vocals on "United Abominations" United Abominations (2007)
Chris Clancy 2009 Backup vocals Endgame (2009)
Mark Newby-Robson 2009 Keyboards on "The Hardest Part of Letting Go...Sealed with a Kiss" Endgame (2009)
David Draiman 2013 vocals on "Dance in the Rain" Super Collider (2013)
Yao Zhao 2013 cell on "Dance in the Rain" Super Collider (2013)
Tom Cunningham 2013 Fiddle on "The Blackest Crow", violin on "Dance in the Rain" Super Collider (2013)
The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band (Brian Costello, Sean Costello, Mary Kate Peterson) 2013 bagpipes on "Built for War" Super Collider (2013)
Electra Mustaine 2013 background vocals on "Forget to Remember" and "Beginning of Sorrow" Super Collider (2013)
Sarah Phelps 2013 background vocals on "Beginning of Sorrow" Super Collider (2013)
Willie Gee 2013 guest speaker on "The Blackest Crow" Super Collider (2013)
Charlie Judge 2016 orchestra & arrangements on "Poisonous Shadows" Dystopia (2016)
Farah Siraj 2016 vocals on "The Threat Is Real" and "Poisonous Shadows" Dystopia (2016)
Miles Doleac 2016 voiceover in "Conquer or Die!" Dystopia (2016)
Blair Masters 2016 keys & programming Dystopia (2016)

Live

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Mike Albert 1985 guitar none
Tony Laureano 2015-2016 drums, percussion none

Recording timeline

Role Album
Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!
(1985)		 Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?
(1986)		 So Far, So Good... So What!
(1988)		 Rust in Peace
(1990)		 Countdown to Extinction
(1992)		 Youthanasia
(1994)		 Cryptic Writings
(1997)		 Risk
(1999)		 The World Needs a Hero
(2001)		 The System Has Failed
(2004)		 United Abominations
(2007)		 Endgame
(2009)		 Thirteen
(2011)		 Super Collider
(2013)		 Dystopia
(2016)
Guitars/Lead Vocals Dave Mustaine
Guitars Chris Poland Jeff Young Marty Friedman Al Pitrelli Chris Poland Glen Drover Chris Broderick Kiko Loureiro
Bass David Ellefson Jimmie Lee Sloas James LoMenzo David Ellefson
Drums Gar Samuelson Chuck Behler Nick Menza Jimmy DeGrasso Vinnie Colaiuta Shawn Drover Chris Adler

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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "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. 1 2 3 4 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Megadeth Biography". AllMusic. TiVo Corporation. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  4. ↑ Doreian, Robyn (September 1990). "The Big Four". Hot Metal Magazine. 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. 1 2 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.
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