At the Back To The Beginning festival, three of the “Big Four” of thrash metal were present: Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax. But where was Megadeth? Bassist James LoMenzo explained that the band wasn’t invited, but he doesn’t see it as a big deal. He mentioned, “I know we were missing, but nobody was invited.”
LoMenzo added, “Not everyone gets invited to every party.” He also shared that while they were in Europe recently, guitarist David Ellefson reached out to other bands, letting them know Megadeth was nearby and could join if they wanted. However, nothing came of it, so they returned home.
Another notable absence from the lineup was Mötley Crüe. When asked about their absence, Nikki Sixx said, “We have been having health issues within the band.” The Crüe had to reschedule their Las Vegas residency due to a health issue involving singer Vince Neil. They announced that their shows, originally set for March 28 to April 19, 2025, would now take place in September 2025 because of a medical procedure recommended by Neil’s doctors.
Neil expressed his regret in a personal statement, saying, “I’m truly sorry to all the Crüeheads looking forward to seeing us this Spring. My health is my top priority so I can bring you the awesome shows you deserve.” He thanked fans for their support.
In a joint message, Sixx, Tommy Lee, and John 5 wished Neil a speedy recovery and expressed their excitement to return to Vegas together in September. They thanked fans for their understanding during this time.
