Dave Ellefson out of Megadeth

[whiplash1972]

The following was posted on the Megadeth Facebook page earlier today:

 

 

More of the story at: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/megadeth-fire-dave-ellefson/

Megadeth have officially parted ways with bassist Dave Ellefson following the leak of sexually graphic exchanges between Ellefson and a female fan.

“We are informing our fans that David Ellefson is no longer playing with Megadeth and that we are officially parting ways with him," band leader Dave Mustaine wrote in a statement shared on social media Monday. "We do not take this decision lightly.”

“While we do not know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what has already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward,” Mustaine continued. “We look forward to seeing our fans on the road this summer, and we cannot wait to share our brand new music with the world. It is almost complete.”

 

Earlier this month, sexually explicit messages and video footage involving Ellefson and a woman who is not his wife were leaked online. The female’s identity was not revealed, but she was rumored to be underage, leading to accusations of grooming against the 56-year-old Ellefson.

Ellefson denied the allegations and released a statement in which he referred to the leaked exchanges as “private, adult interactions that were taken out of context and manipulated to inflict maximum damage to my reputation my career and family."

The bassist paired his statement with a post that appeared to be from the woman involved in the exchange, who claimed that she “was the one to initiate” the video calls and “was always a consenting adult” when they took place. She added that she was “not a victim, and I have not been groomed in the slightest.”

"We are aware of the recent statements regarding David Ellefson and are watching developments closely,” Megadeth said in a statement immediately following the leaks. "As it relates to creativity and business, we are all familiar with one another. However, there are clearly aspects of David's private life that he has kept to himself. As this situation unfolds, it is important that all voices be heard clearly and respectfully. We look forward to the truth coming to light."

Ellefson cofounded Megadeth with Mustaine in 1983 and spent the second-longest amount of time in the band behind Mustaine. His first tenure lasted from 1983 to 2002, when Mustaine disbanded the group. Ellefson rejoined the band in 2010 and has played on all subsequent Megadeth albums.

Megadeth will have to fill Ellefson’s position quickly, as they are set to embark on their rescheduled Metal Tour of the Year in August. Lamb of God will co-headline the trek, with support from Trivium and In Flames.

Former Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler played on Megadeth’s last album, 2016’s Dystopia. The band is reportedly nearly finished with its next LP, tentatively titled The Sick, the Dying … and the Dead!

 

[Dead Planet]

Political correctness strikes again, he's getting the boot for doing what 95% of rock musicians have been doing since the beginning of rock and roll.....

From what I've heard the girl wasn't underage and the sex was consensual....

[nyoilers]

I thought that  both Dave's were born again Christians

[KarpetRydOFunk]

22 hours ago, nyoilers said:

I thought that  both Dave's were born again Christians

Doesn't mean you don't still fuck up. 

Kinda sounds like this was the last nail in the coffin, though. 

[nyoilers]

1 hour ago, KarpetRydOFunk said:

Doesn't mean you don't still fuck up. 

Kinda sounds like this was the last nail in the coffin, though. 

I thought Dave M. would be a forgiving person now.

[All Nights Reserved]

On 6/1/2021 at 6:06 PM, Dead Planet said:

Political correctness strikes again, he's getting the boot for doing what 95% of rock musicians have been doing since the beginning of rock and roll.....

From what I've heard the girl wasn't underage and the sex was consensual....

Just my thoughts. The problem is though he's a pastor, he's married... and his boss is Dave Mustaine.

[KarpetRydOFunk]

16 minutes ago, nyoilers said:

I thought Dave M. would be a forgiving person now.

Who's to say he hasn't? And it doesn't mean they should keep him in the band. Dude clearly needs to get his shit together, and shouldn't still be in the band while he does so. 

[nyoilers]

22 hours ago, KarpetRydOFunk said:

Who's to say he hasn't? And it doesn't mean they should keep him in the band. Dude clearly needs to get his shit together, and shouldn't still be in the band while he does so. 

For me  those 2 are the band with a revolving door of drummers and guitarists.

Now it's basically solo  Dave M.

[Leykis101]

easy enough, no Ellefson, no Megadeth, for me anyways, problem solved

[auslander]

4 hours ago, Leykis101 said:

easy enough, no Ellefson, no Megadeth, for me anyways, problem solved

What about if the next album kicks butt like Dystopia did?

[Leykis101]

On 6/10/2021 at 8:04 AM, auslander said:

What about if the next album kicks butt like Dystopia did?

Thats not possible, Why Not?? No Ellefson