The longtime Megadeth bassist David Ellefson was the band’s second-longest-serving member, being part of it from 1983 to 2002 and from 2010 to 2021 when he was fired by Dave Mustaine, the leader, who is the only one who has been part of the eras of the group.
Mustaine recently announced that Megadeth will embark on a worldwide farewell tour, release a final album and retire. Ellefson revealed in an interview with Rock ‘N’ Blues Experience he was shocked to hear that.
David Ellefson said it was shocking to hear about Megadeth’s retirement
“I knew about it. Obviously, I’m in the business, so I knew about it, which — it was a little shocking. I’ve known Dave as a workhorse. All things good, bad or indifferent about Dave, he’s a pretty fucking tough mule, man. I mean, he’s gotten out there and sang and played despite all the odds. And I will give him that. He definitely never backed down to a challenge.”
“I remember there was a comment some years ago — we were playing a festival in Mexico, and his wife, Pam, had looked over at me, and with him sitting right next to me, [she] goes, ‘The old horse is slowing down.’ [Laughs] And that was a big gig. It was [with] Judas Priest and Scorpions…”
He continued:
“And I remember when she said it, it was kind of, like, we are getting up there a little bit, but then I look at the Scorpions, and fucking Rudolf Schenker, that guy comes up and hugs you like a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robot. You’re, like, ‘What the fuck did they put in the water in his house?’ This guy’s well into his 70s, and it’s, like, ‘Aargh.’ Like, Jesus, man. The Scorpions are impenetrable; they’re strong, like Iron Man.”
“I haven’t talked to Dave now in four years, so I have no idea the reason or anything about it other than they made their announcement,” David Ellefson said.
He also said he would accept an invitation to be part of the band’s final shows if Mustaine invited him back.
The band is currently formed by Mustaine, Dirk Verbeuren (Drums), James LoMenzo (Bass) and Teemu Mäntysaari (Guitar).