Dave Mustaine is widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in heavy metal history. This incredible guitarist is well-known for his bizarre stage antics and love of heavy metal and rock music. He has carved a permanent place for himself in the world of music despite his humble origins. However, the early years of this rock musician’s life are a dismal study in poor behavior. From drug peddling to firing band members on the spur of the moment and 17 visits to drug rehab centers, he epitomizes the media magnate and has garnered more negative attention than positive. Nonetheless, his abilities and unwavering passion for music earned him a place in the hearts of his fans worldwide. Although he was initially known for his drunken and aggressive behavior, as well as personal conflicts with other band members, he eventually turned his life around. The circuit now recognizes him as a born-again Christian who avoids working with black metal or satanic acts. He is well-known to the American public as the man who can put any politician in his place with his razor-sharp arguments and political ideologies.
Childhood & Adolescence
Dave Mustaine was born in La Mesa, California, to Emily and John Mustaine. Despite the fact that his mother was Jewish, he was raised as a devout Jehovah’s Witness.
By the time he was 17, he was peddling drugs to cover the rent on his apartment. One of his clients compensated him for the drugs with AC/DC, Motorhead, and Judas Priest albums, whetting his appetite for heavy metal music. He played piano and electric guitar in the 1970s and also became a member of the band ‘Panic’.
Career of David
He began his musical career as a member of the band ‘Panic’; a band member and the band’s sound man were killed in a car accident following the band’s debut performance.
He joined ‘Metallica’ as lead guitarist in 1981. He toured with them and co-wrote a number of songs, including ‘Kill Em All’ and ‘Ride the Lightning. Two years later, he was officially fired from the band.
He landed his first real job as a telemarketer after relocating to California. He left after earning enough money to move to a Hollywood apartment and forming the short-lived band ‘Fallen Angels’.
He co-founded the band ‘Megadeth’ (named after a song he wrote) with Dave Ellefson and Greg Handenvidt, who lived above him in an apartment. ‘Lor’ Kane lent his voice as the lead vocalist for a brief period, but Mustaine preferred to sing lead vocals himself.
Megadeth recorded a three-song demo in 1984 and later that year signed with ‘Combat Records’ and began touring.
Megadeth released their debut album, ‘Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!’ in May 1985 and immediately began touring the United States and Canada.
The band released the seminal album ‘Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?’ in 1986. The title track and ‘Wake up Dead’ were both chart-topping singles. They embarked on their first world tour a year later, beginning in the United Kingdom.
Megadeth’s third album, ‘So Far, So Good… So What!’, was released in 1988 and featured the singles ‘In My Darkest Hour’, ‘Hook in Mouth’, and ‘Anarchy in the UK’. Later that year, Mustaine produced the band ‘Sanctuary’s’ album ‘Refuge Denied’.
In the 1990s, they released a string of successful albums, including ‘Rust in Peace’, ‘Countdown to Extinction’, ‘Youthanasia’, and ‘Cryptic Writings’.
Additionally, Mustaine covered the 1992 Democratic National Convention for MTV, worked on the Clash of the Titans Tour, closed the Woodstock ’99 music festival, and relieved the band of Marty Friedman.
They ushered in the new millennium with ‘Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years,’ a Capitol Records ‘best of’ collection.
Mustaine disbanded Megadeth in 2002 following a freak injury that rendered his left hand incapable of grasping or even making a fist. He converted to Christianity during his recuperation period.
Following a remarkable recovery, he oversaw the remixing and remastering of Megadeth’s entire Capitol Records catalog, culminating in the 2004 release of ‘The System Has Failed’.
He co-founded Gigantour with the band ‘Dream Theater’, produced ‘Arsenal of Megadeth’ (a two-disc anthology DVD), and recorded the albums ‘United Abominations’ and ‘Endgame’ in the second half of the decade.
Megadeth celebrated the 20th anniversary of ‘Rust In Peace’ by touring with The Big Four (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax) in 2010 and released his autobiography, ‘Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir’.
Mustaine collaborated with Metallica on five songs in 2011 at the Fillmore Theater as part of the band’s 30th anniversary celebration.
Major Works’ ‘Countdown to Extinction’, released in 1991, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and included the band’s most commercially successful songs, including ‘Symphony of Destruction’, ‘Sweating Bullets’, and ‘Skin o’ My Teeth’.
Awards and Accomplishments
Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman were jointly ranked No. 19 on Guitar World magazine’s list of the ‘100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time’ in 2004. He was ranked No. 1 in Joel McIver’s 2009 book ‘The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists.’
Personal History and Legacies
Mustaine married Pamela Anne Casselberry in 1991 and the couple has two children: Justis David Mustaine and Electra Nicole Mustaine. The couple has reconciled after two years apart.
This renowned guitarist holds black belts in Taekwondo and karate and was named a World Taekwondo Federation Goodwill Ambassador in 2007.
Estimated Net Worth
Dave Mustaine is a musician and singer from the United States of America with an estimated net worth of $18 million. Dave Mustaine is a well-known metal guitarist who co-founded Megadeth.
Prior to joining Megadeth as guitarist and lead singer, Mustaine was the band’s original lead guitarist. Mustaine has received a slew of accolades over the years, including one Grammy nomination and one Grammy win.
Trivia
To help promote Net Worth Coffee Brokers, his wife’s coffee business, this ‘Megadeth’ guitarist/vocalist created a line of coffee and related items, with proceeds benefiting the ‘Door of Faith’ charity.