Megadeth part ways with David Ellefson
Megadeth has announced that they have officially parted ways with bassist David Ellefson.
In a statement released today by Mainman Dave Mustaine, he said:
"We are informing our fans that David Ellefson is no longer playing with Megadeth and we are officially participating with him. We do not take this decision lightly.
While we do not know every detail of what happened to the already strained relationship, which has already been revealed now, working together is enough to make the impossible possible.
We look forward to seeing our fans on the road this summer, and we can't wait to share our brand new music with the world. it's almost done.
Dave Mustaine
Megadeth
May 24, 2021 "
— Megadeth (@Megadeth) May 24, 2021
Porn videos of ICYMI, Ellefson, were posted to Twitter earlier this month. The clip was allegedly recorded by a fan in 2020, and, initially, the video accused him of grooming the child. Later, both Ellefson and the other party denied the allegations, claiming that it was consensual adult conduct.
In a publicly accessible social media statement released by Ellefson, he said, "As you may or may not know, some private and personal conversations and conversations have surfaced online, issued with the wrong intent by a third party that Was not authorized to keep them. Or share them. While certainly embarrassing, I want to address this as openly and honestly as possible. "
Ellefson continued, "As much as this is not something I'm proud of, these were personal, adult interactions that were taken out of context and manipulated to do the most harm to my reputation, my career and family." The other party involved has made a statement which you can see below. I thank him for doing so and hope that it clarifies that the situation was not presented at all. "
The woman involved said, "Yes, they were video calls, but I was the one to initiate them and I was never a young age, I was always a consenting adult. Nothing inappropriate happened before. It All was agreed, I am not a victim and I have not been prepared at all because I was the one who started it. "
— Megadeth (@Megadeth) May 11, 2021
In a social media post released on May 10, Megadeth stated that they were aware of recent statements about Ellefson and were watching the developments closely.
Megadeth are getting ready to embark on their rescheduled 2021 North American tour with Lamb of God, Trivium and In Flames. See all shows below.
Fri Aug 20 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Sat Aug 21 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Sun Aug 22 – Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Tue Aug 24 – El Paso, TX – Don Haskins Center
Wed Aug 25 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
Fri Aug 27 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Sun Aug 29 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre
Tue Aug 31 – Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
Wed Sep 01 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
Thu Sep 02 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion
Sat Sep 04 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Sun Sep 05 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
Thu Sep 09 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago
Sat Sep 11 – Danville, VA – Blue Ridge Festival*
Sun Sep 12 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Mon Sep 13 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
Wed Sep 15 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
Thu Sep 16 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat Sep 18 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
Sun Sep 19 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
Mon Sep 20 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion
Wed Sep 22 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Fri Sep 24 – Mount Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino Amphitheatre
Sun Sep 26 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis
Tue Sep 28 – Minneapolis, MN – Armory
Thu Sep 30 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Fri Oct 01 – Laval, QC – Place Bell
Sat Oct 02 – Quebec City, QC – Centre Videotron
*Festival Date featuring all 4 bands