Dave Mustaine, the frontman of Megadeth, has confirmed that there will be no guest appearances from former band members during the band’s final tour. This means fans shouldn’t expect any nostalgic reunions when the tour kicks off in 2026.
In a recent interview, Mustaine explained, “I can’t really do that because of the behavior of one of the band members in the past. It wouldn’t be fair to the other band members if I didn’t play with them as well.” While he didn’t name names, it’s widely believed he is referring to bassist David Ellefson, who was dismissed from the band in 2022 after explicit videos surfaced online.
Megadeth has seen many musicians come and go over the years. Ellefson was a key member, along with guitarists Chris Poland and Marty Friedman, and drummer Nick Menza, who all played important roles in the band’s history.
Mustaine did mention a memorable reunion with Friedman in Japan in 2024 and expressed that he would be open to sharing the stage with other former members. He has a strong bond with Poland but feels his connection with Friedman is even deeper. He also noted that while he had a solid relationship with Jeff Young, it didn’t quite match the bond he shares with Friedman.
The farewell tour is set to last three to five years, starting in early 2026. Canadian dates with Anthrax and Exodus are already scheduled. Additionally, Megadeth will release their final album in January, which will include a cover of Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning.” Fans can pre-order the album now.
