David Mustaine Biography

(American musician)

Birthday: September 13, 1961 (Virgo)

Born In: La Mesa

Dave Mustaine is considered to be one of the most influential heavy metal guitarists of all time. This fantastic guitarist is known for his freakish stage antics and his passion for heavy metal and rock music. A man of humble beginnings, he has carved a permanent place for himself in the world of music. However, the earlier days of this rock musician’s life is a woeful case study in bad behavior. From drug peddling to firing band mates at whim and 17 visits to drug rehab centers, he is the quintessential media magnate and has attracted more negative attention than positive. Yet, his capabilities and his sheer passion for music also earned him a place in the hearts of his fans around the world. Although, he was initially known for his episodes of drunken and aggressive behavior and personal clashes with other members in the band, he managed to turn his life around. People who work the circuit now know him as a born-again Christian who is careful not to work with black metal or satanic bands. A vocal critic of the American political system and its politicians, 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.
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: David Scott Mustaine

Age: 63 Years, 63 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Pamela Anne Casselberry

father: John Mustaine

mother: Emily Mustaine

children: Electra Nicole Mustaine, Justis David Mustaine

Humanitarian Guitarists

Height: 6'0" (183 cm), 6'0" Males

U.S. State: California

Founder/Co-Founder: Megadeth

More Facts

education: Marina High School, Huntington Beach

awards: - Kerrang! Award

  • 1

    What is David Mustaine's role in the band Megadeth?

    David Mustaine is the co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the heavy metal band Megadeth.

  • 2

    Which other bands has David Mustaine been a part of besides Megadeth?

    Before forming Megadeth, David Mustaine was a member of Metallica, Panic, and Fallen Angels.

  • 3

    When did David Mustaine start his music career?

    David Mustaine began his music career in the early 1980s when he was a member of Metallica before forming his own band, Megadeth, in 1983.

  • 4

    What is David Mustaine's playing style known for?

    David Mustaine is known for his fast and aggressive style of guitar playing, incorporating elements of thrash metal and heavy metal in his music.

  • 5

    How has David Mustaine influenced the metal music scene?

    David Mustaine is considered one of the pioneers of thrash metal and has had a significant influence on the metal music scene with his distinctive guitar work and songwriting.

Childhood & Early Life
Dave Mustaine was born to Emily and John Mustaine, in La Mesa, California. Although his mother was Jewish, he was brought up as a staunch Jehovah's Witness.
By the age of 17, he was peddling drugs to pay for his apartment rent. One of his clients paid for the drugs with albums by AC/DC, Motorhead, and Judas Priest which kindled his appetite for heavy metal music.
In the 1970s, he played the piano and the electric guitar and also became the member of the band, ‘Panic’.
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Career
He began his musical career by playing for ‘Panic’; a band member and the sound man were killed in a car crash after the band’s first show.
In 1981, he joined ‘Metallica’ as the band’s lead guitarist. He toured with them and wrote/co-wrote several songs, including, ‘Kill Em All’ and ‘Ride the Lightning’. He was officially fired from the band two years later.
After moving to California, he secured his first real job as a telemarketer. He quit it after he had made enough money to move to an apartment in Hollywood and started the short-lived band, ‘Fallen Angels’.
He formed the band ‘Megadeth’ (based on the name of a song he wrote) with Dave Ellefson and Greg Handenvidt who lived in the apartment below his. 'Lor' Kane lent his voice for a short time as the lead vocal but Mustaine chose to be the lead vocal himself.
In 1984, Megadeth cut a three-song demo and later that year, the band signed a deal with ‘Combat Records’ and began touring.
In May 1985, Megadeth released their debut album, ‘Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!’ and toured the US and Canada.
In 1986, the band released the landmark album, ‘Peace Sells... but Who’s Buying?’. The title track and ‘Wake up Dead’ became huge hits. A year later, they embarked on their first world tour, which began in the U.K.
Megadeth released their third album, ‘So Far, So Good... So What!’ in 1988, which featured hits like ‘In My Darkest Hour’, ‘Hook in Mouth’, and ‘Anarchy in the UK’. Later that year, Mustaine produced the album, ‘Refuge Denied’ for the band, ‘Sanctuary’.
In the 90s, they released a number of albums including; ‘Rust in Peace’, ‘Countdown to Extinction’, ‘Youthanasia’, and ‘Cryptic Writings’, which tasted continued commercial success.
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In addition, Mustaine covered the 1992 Democratic National Convention for MTV, worked on the Clash of the Titans Tour, closed the Woodstock '99 music festival, and fired Marty Friedman from the band.
They began the new millennium with ‘Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years’, a ‘best of’ collection, produced by Capitol Records.
In 2002, Mustaine disbanded Megadeth after he suffered a freak injury which left him unable to grasp or even make a fist with his left hand. During the period of recuperation, he converted to Christianity.
After a surprisingly quick recovery, he oversaw the remixing and re-mastering of Megadeth’s entire Capitol Records catalog and released ‘The System Has Failed’, in 2004.
In the second half of the decade, he created Gigantour with the band, ‘Dream Theater’, ‘Arsenal of Megadeth’ (a two-disc anthology DVD) and recorded the albums, ‘United Abominations’ and ‘Endgame’.
In 2010, Megadeth embarked on a ‘Rust In Peace’ 20th Anniversary tour, played with The Big Four (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax)m and released his autobiography, ‘Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir’.
In 2011, Mustaine played five songs with Metallica at the Fillmore Theater as a part of the band's 30 year anniversary celebration.
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Major Works
‘Countdown to Extinction’, released in 1991, debuted at the No. 2 position on the Billboard 200 and featured the band's most commercially successful songs - ‘Symphony of Destruction’, ‘Sweating Bullets’, ‘Skin o' My Teeth’, etc.
Awards & Achievements
In 2004, Guitar World magazine ranked Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman together at No. 19 on the list of ‘100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time’.
In 2009, he was named the No. 1 player in Joel McIver's book ‘The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists’.
Personal Life & Legacy
Mustaine married Pamela Anne Casselberry in 1991; they have a son, Justis David Mustaine and a daughter, Electra Nicole Mustaine. After two separations, the couple has reconciled.
This famous guitarist holds black belts in Taekwondo and karate and was made a Goodwill Ambassador of the World by the World Taekwondo Federation, in 2007.
Facts About David Mustaine

David Mustaine is an avid collector of medieval weaponry, including swords and knives.

He is a certified black belt in Taekwondo, showcasing his dedication to martial arts.

Mustaine has a passion for vintage cars and is known to have a notable collection of classic vehicles.

He is a skilled equestrian and enjoys horseback riding in his free time.

Mustaine is a published author, having released his autobiography detailing his life and music career.

See the events in life of David Mustaine in Chronological Order

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- David Mustaine Biography
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