Megadeth is also an American thrash metal band, and they formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, California. The band was brought together by Dave Mustaine, who was both vocalist and guitarist. Dave Mustaine was previously lead guitar with Metallica, but he was kicked out of the band because of his behavior driven by excessive alcohol consumption.
I feel sad for Dave because his dad was a violent drunk and after his parents were divorced, his father kept following them, menacing the family. They lived a life on the run to escape the dad. I recommend the documentary Megadeth – VH1 Behind The Music + Extras Documentary – to understand more about his story.
Megadeth released a new album in 2022 called ‘The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!’ Called defiant by reviewers, to me, I really enjoy it because it is heavy and hard.
Current members
Dave Mustaine – backing guitar and singer
Dave’s time with Megadeth has been from 1983 to 2002 and then 2004 to the present. He plays backing guitar, lead vocals and piano. He has been on all Megadeth releases. Dave Mustaine has an addictive past, which has impacted on his relationships with other band members, but I love his music and talent. He has had a lot to deal with from his challenging past.
James LoMenzo – bass and backing singer
James has been in Megadeth 2006–2010 and 2021–2022. He is the bassist and sings backing. He has performed on United Abominations (2007), Endgame (2009), and Delivering the Goods (2022). I don’t know James as well as I do the previous base player, David Ellefson.
Kiko Loureiro – lead guitar and backing vocals
has been with Megadeth from 2015 to the present. He plays backing guitar, vocals, piano and flute. He has performed on Dystopia (2016), The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead! (2022), and Delivering the Goods (2022). I love his guitar style, it is very heavy and he is talented. He definitely inspires me. In two of the albums, Dystopia and The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead! He is incredible. Marty Friedman is definitely my favorite.
Dirk Verbeuren – drummer
The final band member has been with them from 2016 to present. He plays the drums and has performed on The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead! (2022), and Delivering the Goods (2022). Because there have been so many changes to the drummers, I find it hard to be loyal to any of them.
Hanger 18
I recommend listening to this song, with Marty Friedman showing off his incredible guitar skills.
Previous members
Megadeth has a LOT of ex-members. Some were kicked out and others left of their own accord. One, apparently, had an affair with Dave Mustaine’s girlfriend (now wife). The number of ex members tells us it’s not an easy band to be part of.
David Ellefson, 1983–2002, 2010–2021, bass, backing vocals
John Cyriis, 1983, lead vocals
Richard Girod, 1983, drums
Dijon Carruthers, 1983, drums
Lee Rausch, 1984, drums
Gar Samuelson, 1984–1987 (died 1999), drums
Greg Handevidt, 1983, guitar
Chris Poland, 1984–1985, 1985–1987, 1990, 2004, guitar
Mike Albert, 1985, guitar
Jay Reynolds, 1987, guitar
Chuck Behler, 1987–1989, drums
Jeff Young, 1987-89, guitar
Nick Menza, 1989–1998, 2004 (died 2016), drums and backing vocals
Marty Friedman, 1990–2000, guitars and backing vocals
Jimmy DeGrasso, 1998–2002, drums and backing vocals
Al Pitrelli, 2000–2002, guitar and backing vocals
Shawn Drover, 2004–2014, drums
Glen Drover, 2004–2008, guitar and backing vocals
James MacDonough, 2004–2006, bass
Chris Broderick, 2008–2014, guitar and backing vocals
Chris Adler, 2015–2016, drums
You can find more information on Wikipedia.
Personal reflection
They were hard playing, hard living addicts, but they were also hard working musicians who believed in their music and connecting with other troubled young people.