MEGADETH

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Megadeth was formed in late 1983 when Dave Mustaine (formerly of Metallica) threw a potted plant through the window of David Ellefson's apartment because Ellefson was practicing his bass too loud. When the band was formed, Dijion Carruthers was their drummer and Greg Handevidt their second guitarist. They quickly replaced Carruthers with drummer Lee Rausch, recorded a demo, and secured a few gigs in the San Francisco Bay area in February 1984. After Handevidt was fired for incompetence (he later formed Kublai Khan), they quickly found second guitarist Kerry King (Slayer), who played Megadeth's first three gigs: February 15th, 18th, and 19th of 1984.

The band name was selected from a term referring to a million casualties, as a result of nuclear fallout. It was coined in 1953 by RAND military strategist Herman Kahn. The extra "a" was dropped by the band.

King left later that month when Mustaine wanted him to choose between Megadeth and Slayer. Then, Chris Poland was brought in, and more gigs were played, starting on April 15th, 1984. A demo was recorded with this lineup, and then Lee Rausch left (he would later that year show up in Dark Angel), and was replaced by Gar Samuelson. This lineup recorded the first two albums.

There were troubles with Chris Poland. He was replaced with Mike Albert for part of the 1985 tour, and was finally fired in 1987, for stealing Mustaine's guitars and other transgressions (read the lyrics to "Liar" for a somewhat biased but not entirely untrue account), and Gar Samuelson left as well (his parting wasn't entirely amicable, either). Chuck Behler came in immediately, and several guitarists were tried out, including Jay Reynolds of Malice, who played a few gigs on the 1987 tour, before giving way to Jeff Young. This lineup recorded So Far, So Good... So What!, but after a subsequent tour, both Young and Behler were fired.

Nick Menza, Chuck's drum tech, went behind the kit himself in 1989, and the band recorded, as a trio, "No More Mister Nice Guy", an Alice Cooper cover for the "Shocker" soundtrack. After tryouts that included Criss Oliva (Savatage), Jeff Waters (Annihilator), Eric Meyer (Dark Angel), Dimebag Darrell (Pantera, and Damageplan), a 15-year-old Darrell Roberts (W.A.S.P.), a 16-year-old Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Lee Altus (Heathen), and even Slash (Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver), Marty Friedman of Cacophony was hired in February of 1990, and this lineup lasted for about 8 years and produced four albums and most of the songs on an EP, before Nick Menza left due to a knee injury.

Jimmy DeGrasso (of Y&T and White Lion) was brought in, and Risk was recorded. Then, Marty Friedman left, citing a desire to play Japanese pop music, while Mustaine wanted to return to heavy metal. Thus, Al Pitrelli of Savatage, as well as Trans-Siberian Orchestra joined the band. A new album, The World Needs a Hero, was recorded and a tour with Iced Earth launched afterwards.

Dave Mustaine, citing an arm injury that left him unable to play guitar effectively, dissolved Megadeth in April 2002. On January 13th, 2004, Mustaine, following his alleged "religious awakening", announced his plans to reform Megadeth with former guitarist Chris Poland. David Ellefson, Al Pitrelli, and Jimmy DeGrasso did not want to rejoin and went back to working on their other projects. They initially formed a band of their own, which never got off the ground. Dave Ellefson went on to join Soulfly.

In August of 2004, the new album, The System Has Failed, was completed with the help of session drummer and bassist Vinnie Colaiuta and Jimmy Sloas. Former guitarist Chris Poland was also brought back to record lead parts.

New guitarist Glen Drover and bassist James MacDonough were recruited for the tour, which would begin in September. Nick Menza briefly returned, but was dismissed after being deemed unfit to perform such a lengthy tour. Glen Drover's brother and Eidolon bandmate Shawn Drover was brought in. This was confirmed as the permanent lineup by Dave Mustaine in 2005. Typically, though, this was not to last and MacDonough left at the beginning of 2006 to be replaced by James Lomenzo.

It was confirmed in mid-January 2008 - after considerable rumour - that Glen Drover had left Megadeth due to their heavy touring schedule conflicting with his family interests. Chris Broderick was immediately brought in to replace him.

James LoMenzo left Megadeth in February 2010, heralding the return of original bassist David Ellefson.

Megadeth Discography  :

Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! Full-length 1985
Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? Full-length 1986
So Far, So Good... So What! Full-length 1988
Rust in Peace Full-length 1990
Countdown to Extinction Full-length 1992
Megabox Single Collection Boxed set 1993
Youthanasia Full-length 1994
Hidden Treasures Compilation 1995
The Originals Boxed set 1997
Cryptic Writings Full-length 1997
Risk Full-length 1999
Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years Compilation 2000
The World Needs a Hero Full-length 2001
Rude Awakening Live album 2002
Still, Alive... and Well? Compilation 2002
Unplugged in Philly Live album 2004
The System Has Failed Full-length 2004
Hell Wasn't Built in a Day: The Complete Remasters Boxed set 2004
Greatest Hits: Back to the Start Compilation 2005
Unplugged in Boston Live album 2006
Extended Versions Compilation 2007
United Abominations Full-length 2007
That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires Live album 2007
Warchest Boxed set 2007
Anthology: Set the World Afire Compilation 2008
Endgame Full-length 2009
Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? Boxed set 2011
Th1rt3en Full-length 2011 
Rust in Peace / Countdown to Extinction Compilation 2012
Super Collider Full-length 2013
Countdown to Extinction: Live Live album 2013
Icon Compilation 2014
5 Classic Albums Boxed set 2014
Countdown to Extinction / Rust in Peace Compilation 2014
Dystopia Full-length 2016
Warheads on Foreheads Compilation 2019