Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has revealed that he was in a “shortlist” of people approached to join Metallica following bassist Jason Newsted’s 2001 departure.
The 59-year-old, who played with Megadeth from 1984 to 2002 and again from 2010 to 2021, made the admission during a Q&A with his new speed metal band Kings Of Thrash. He claimed that he found out he was in the running for the job because Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine told him. Mustaine played lead guitar in Metallica from 1982 to 1983 and started Megadeth as a rival band following his firing.
