Dave Mustaine won't perform with former Megadeth members on farewell tour
Megadeth rocker Dave Mustaine won't be inviting the thrash metal group's former members back for the band's farewell tour next year.
Dave Mustaine won't be inviting old Megadeth members back on stage for the band's farewell tour.
The thrash metal group will hit the road for the final time in 2026 - following the release of their eponymous last album next month - but the frontman doesn't intend to let his old bandmates accompany the current line-up on the jaunt.
Dave, 64, told Guitar World magazine: "I mean, let's look at the other people we've played with... there's a lot of people. That would be a huge undertaking. I don't think I want to do that. I'd rather keep doing what we're doing and let the fans (experience) Megadeth music and be happy about it. It's not puppet show Megadeth."
The rocker has decided to disband Megadeth because of health issues such as arthritis and problems with his back but reflected on how he is "fortunate" to still be "kicking" as he reflected on the death of KISS founding guitarist Ace Frehley at the age of 74 earlier this year.
Mustaine explained: "You see that Ace Frehley has passed away and how sad that is. Whenever stuff like happens, I feel fortunate because I'm still kicking. But on the opposite side of the coin, I think, 'F***, that could have been me', but by the grace of God, it's not."
Dave formed Megadeth in 1983 after being kicked out of Metallica and described how he is "proud" of the Symphony of Destruction band's enduring legacy in the metal genre.
He said: "I try to stay humble. I know we did something pretty monumental with creating a music style. You can't go anywhere and not hear people playing guitar like we did, and some of the drum patterns and chord changes - I hear that all the time in young bands, and it makes me very happy. I'm very proud."
Dave also revealed that he will not be performing on any vintage guitars during Megadeth's long goodbye.
The musician said: "I don't have any old gear for old time's sake.
"I've got one Jackson, but my (new) Gibsons are the guitars I want to be playing. And this isn't some product-placement thing; those guitars are exactly what I want and what I've always wanted.
"We made some slight adjustments to the guitars. It's kind of like a modified F1 (race car) where, over time, there are a couple of things you can do and bring along with you from what you've had in the past.
"I think that's where we're at right now with this, the new custom guitars. They're like hot rods. The only thing we're contemplating now is making the legs have points."
