Kiko Loureiro reveals how he became Megadeth’s guitarist

Kiko Loureiro Dave Mustaine

The virtuoso brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro talked with BackStage360 recently about how he got the invitation to join Megadeth back in 2015.

He said:

“[My old band] Angra, we had a gold disc in Brazil, and then we released the album in Europe in 1994. And that was quite successful – I mean, for a small band from Brazil, because there was almost no bands from Brazil.

“We started playing South America too, and then the band was growing. And we had lineup changes throughout the ’90s and 2000s. We recorded many albums, and I think I was quite experienced in touring and recording.

“I came to California in 2012, and maybe two years later, I got an e-mail from [Megadeth bassist David] Ellefson. Actually, I jammed with Ellefson in a Metal All-Stars kind of a show in Sao Paulo.

“So I met him, he got my contact, and maybe six months later, he called me and said, ‘Look, Dave [Mustaine] is gonna call you. Is that okay?’

“Then I went to Tennessee, to Nashville, to meet Dave Mustaine. And then we hang for a day there, and then two days later, I was in Megadeth.”

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Rafael Polcaro: I'm a Brazilian journalist who always loved Classic Rock and Heavy Metal music. That passion inspired me to create Rock and Roll Garage over 6 years ago. Music has always been a part of my life, helping me through tough times and being a support to celebrate the good ones. When I became a journalist, I knew I wanted to write about my passions. After graduating in journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, I pursued a postgraduate degree in digital communication at the same institution. The studies and experience in the field helped me improve the website and always bring the best of classic rock to the world! MTB: 0021377/MG