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MEGADETH's Ellefson Reflects on Metallica's Influence

12/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

David Ellefson, bassist for MEGADETH, and Dave Mustaine, of MEGADETH, formed MEGADETH in 1983 after Mustaine's departure from METALLICA.
In 2019, Ellefson said he was unaware of METALLICA or Cliff Burton when he joined Mustaine.
He initially modeled his bass on Ron McGovney's lines from No Life 'Til Leather.
He later contributed to a METALLICA tribute album and identified Burton's riffs from For Whom The Bell Tolls and Orion.

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Story summary

David Ellefson, bassist for MEGADETH, and Dave Mustaine, of MEGADETH, formed MEGADETH in 1983 after Mustaine's departure from METALLICA.
In 2019, Ellefson said he was unaware of METALLICA or Cliff Burton when he joined Mustaine.
He initially modeled his bass on Ron McGovney's lines from No Life 'Til Leather.
He later contributed to a METALLICA tribute album and identified Burton's riffs from For Whom The Bell Tolls and Orion.