Dave Mustaine, (once the former frontman for Metallica) formed the band Megadeth (in 1983) which has clearly established itself as a giant among a long list of viable heavy metal bands. Megadeths first members were Dave Ellefson on bass, Chris Poland on guitar and Gars Samuelson on drums.(With Mustaine on guitar & lead vocals, of course.) Their first release was "Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good", which came out in 1985. The recording received heavy praise from metalheads everywhere...Capitol Records signed the band later that year. Megadeth then (in 1986) released "PeaceSells...But Who's Buying?" . (Their first release underCapital Records.) Later, Mustaine canned Samuelson & Poland replacing them with Jeff Young and Chuck Behler for the recording of Megadeth's third album, "So Far, So Good...So What?" (1988). The album went platinum and reached #28 on the charts. Mustaine, (whose heroin use was becoming a constant source of aggravation for band members and management) then kicked Young and Behler out of the band & brought in drummer Nick Menza and guitarist Marty Friedman. Mustaine was nabbed for driving under the influence (DWI) in 1990 which landed him in a 12-step drug recovery program. By the end of the year, Mustaine was on his way to a new life of sobriety & the band released their fourth album, "Rust In Peace", Albums that followed were "Countdown to Extinction" (in 1992), "Youthanasia" (in 1994), followed by "Hidden Treasures", which, in turn, was followed by "Cryptic Writings" (in 1997). And then, "Risk" (in 1999) - Which saw the mysterious absence of Nick Menza without any fanfare. Jimmy DeGrasso then emerged as the bands new drummer. And finally, "The World Needs A Hero" (2001 - Seeing the arrival of Al Pitrelli on lead guitar & the amicable departure of the GREAT Marty Friedman to pursue other projects). As always, Dave & Dave remain the drivin' force that is Megadeth.
