Why did Megadeth oust bassist David Ellefson? Co-founder fired after shocking video leak, fans call it 'unfair'
David Ellefson, the bassist and co-founder of the heavy metal band, Megadeth is no longer a part of the band. 'Megadeth', on May 24, announced that it has severed ties with Ellefson over allegations of sexual misconduct.
Megadeth was formed in LA by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson in 1983. It is counted among one of the 'big four' of American thrash metal along with Metallica, Anthrax and Slayer. Ellefson first broke up with 'Megadeth' in 2002. He reunited with the band in 2010 and was the bassist until getting fired in 2021.
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What pushed Megadeth to severe ties with David Ellefson?
The band's frontman, Dave Mustaine said that the rock group would be "officially parting ways" with Ellefson, 56 amid allegations of sexual misdemeanors against the musician.
The announcement made on Megadeth's Twitter handle regarding the same said, "While we do not know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what had already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward."
In May 2021, video footage featuring the musician and sexually tinged conversations with a woman other than his wife were leaked on Twitter. Ellefson released a statement on Instagram, clarifying his situation and said, "As you may or not know, some private and personal conversations and interactions have surfaced online, released with ill intention by a third party who was not authorized to have them or share them. While certainly embarrassing, I want to address it as openly and honestly as possible."
"As much as it's not something I'm proud of, these were private, adult interactions that were taken out of context and manipulated to inflict maximum damage to my reputation, my career and family," he added. "The other party involved has made a statement which you can see below. I thank her for doing so and hope that this clarifies that the situation was not at all as presented."
Ellefson also added a screenshot of the statement from the woman involved, in his long post. The woman, posting as @edaphosauruses on Instagram denied assumptions that she was underage at the time. "Yes, those video calls did happen, but I was the one to initiate it and never was I underage, I was always a consenting adult. Nothing inappropriate ever happened before that. It was all consensual, I'm not a victim and I have not been groomed in the slightest as I was the one to initiate it, " her post read.
How are fans reacting to David's ouster from Megadeth?
Major comments made on the post announcing the news criticized the band's decision. The tweets read, "Whatever, Ellefson is part of Megadeth I always loved, private life is none of my business." Another said: "Not agree this time with you but who am I? is your band, your business. Never the less, I'm with David, this is just so unfair for him and his career. It would have been good to have a band who support him through this hard times."
Another fan exclaimed: "What, no warning? No second chance?", while another said: "I didn't expect Megadeth to fall for the cancel culture. Of course it was bad the things he did and he should be shamed for it. But I'm not sure that firing him was the best option."
Whatever, Ellefson is part of Megadeth I always loved, private life is none of my business.
— foxtrot romeo (@bondsteelpx) May 24, 2021
Not agree this time with you but who am I? is your band, your business. Never the less, I'm with David, this is just so unfair for him and his career.
— Pelúo ➓ (@mynormetal) May 24, 2021
It would have been good to have a band who support him through this hard times.
I didn't expect Megadeth to fall for the cancel culture. Of course it was bad the things he did and he should be shamed for it. But I'm not sure that firing him was the best option.
— JimRuthless (@JimRuthless) May 24, 2021
David Ellefson is married to his wife, Julie, for 27 years and the couple has two children, son Roman, 25, and daughter Athena, 22.