Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine is Megadeth’s founder, singer, guitarist and songwriter, whose riffs helped shape thrash metal and whose memoirs tell the stories behind the music.
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Latest
Dave’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
- Rust in Peace1990 · Megadeth vocalist, guitarist and songwriter
- Countdown to Extinction1992 · Megadeth vocalist, guitarist and songwriter
- Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?1986 · Megadeth vocalist, guitarist and songwriter
- Dystopia2016 · Megadeth vocalist, guitarist and songwriter
- Megadeth2026 · Megadeth vocalist, guitarist and songwriter
- In My Darkest Hour2026 · Memoir with Joe Layden
Overview
- Born
- September 13, 1961 · La Mesa, California
- Known for
- Founding and fronting Megadeth
- Roles
- Singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer
- First band
- Panic
- Breakout
- Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? (1986), Megadeth’s first platinum album
Mini bio
How it started.
Dave came from La Mesa, California, and played in Panic before joining Metallica as lead guitarist in 1981. After leaving Metallica in 1983, he formed Megadeth and built a new band around his guitar playing and songwriting.
Finding his voice.
Megadeth debuted with Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good! in 1985. Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? followed in 1986 and became their first platinum album. Rust in Peace arrived in 1990; Countdown to Extinction took them to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in 1992, with Symphony of Destruction among its songs.
Still writing his story.
The title track of Dystopia earned Megadeth a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2017. In 2026, Dave and the band released their final self-titled studio album and reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for the first time. His memoir In My Darkest Hour, written with Joe Layden, followed in September and reflected on his experience with cancer.
Creditschronological, newest first
Music
- 2026MegadethMegadeth · Vocals, guitar and songwriting
- 2016DystopiaMegadeth · Vocals, guitar and songwriting
- 1992Countdown to ExtinctionMegadeth · Vocals, guitar and songwriting
- 1990Rust in PeaceMegadeth · Vocals, guitar and songwriting
- 1986Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?Megadeth · Vocals, guitar and songwriting
Books
- 2026In My Darkest HourAuthor, with Joe Layden
Film
- 2026Megadeth: Behind the MaskFeatured interview and album commentary
Awards
Quotes
It's easier to turn a no into a yes, than a yes into a no.Dave Mustaine, official Megadeth profile
His advice to other bands and musicians in the profile’s questionnaire.
Trivia
- His official profile names Jimmy Page, Brian Tatler and Angus Young as musical influences.
- He lists KISS at Anaheim Stadium in 1976 as the first concert he attended.
- His favorite Megadeth solo, according to his official profile, is Holy Wars.
- Cars, surfing, martial arts and yoga are among the hobbies listed on his official profile.
Find Dave
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