Editing David Ellefson (section)

==Biography==

===Pre-Megadeth===
Ellefson played in a band called Killers, which featured himself on bass, Greg Handevidt on guitar, Brett Frederickson on drums and Jerry Giefer, during Frederickson's senior year of high school.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://drummersrule.wordpress.com/2015/08/15/a-look-into-my-past/|work=Drummersrule|date=August 15, 2015|title=A look into my past…|access-date=March 18, 2025}}</ref> 

===First tenure with Megadeth and initial departure (1983–2002)===
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Other than guitarist, vocalist, and primary lyricist [[Dave Mustaine]], Ellefson was the only constant member of Megadeth from early in the band's formation in 1983 until the group's dissolution in 2002. Ellefson has maintained that he was a founding member of the band,<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2016 |title=DAVID ELLEFSON Says He Is Technically A Founding Member Of MEGADETH|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-elefson-says-he-is-technically-a-founding-member-of-megadeth |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |language=en}}</ref> though Mustaine has disputed the idea in multiple interviews.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2016 |title=DAVE MUSTAINE Sets Record Straight: DAVID ELLEFSON Is Not A Co-Founding Member Of MEGADETH |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dave-mustaine-sets-record-straight-david-ellefson-is-not-a-co-founding-member-of-megadeth |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2022 |title=DAVE MUSTAINE Once Again Says DAVID ELLEFSON Is Not A Founding Member Of MEGADETH: 'I Was The Founder' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dave-mustaine-once-again-says-david-ellefson-is-not-a-founding-member-of-megadeth-i-was-the-founder |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |language=en}}</ref> Mustaine referred to Ellefson as "Dave Junior", which was often shortened to "Junior" after vocalist Lor Kane used the nickname to differentiate between the two Daves.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2020 |title=MEGADETH's DAVID ELLEFSON Isn't Bothered By 'JUNIOR' Nickname Anymore |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/megadeths-david-ellefson-isnt-bothered-by-junior-nickname-anymore |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |language=en}}</ref> Ellefson appeared on every album and tour from 1985's record ''[[Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!]]'' up until 2002's ''[[Rude Awakening (Megadeth album)|Rude Awakening]].'' Mustaine reformed Megadeth without Ellefson in 2004. In the early days of Megadeth, Ellefson played using his fingers, but as Megadeth progressed and the music became more complex, he tended to prefer playing with a pick, or [[plectrum]]. Ellefson was credited with some Megadeth songs, including "Family Tree" from 1994's ''[[Youthanasia]]'' (in the 2004 remastered collection of the CD, however, the track is credited to Mustaine, Ellefson, [[Marty Friedman (guitarist)|Friedman]], [[Nick Menza|Menza]], but Mustaine credited the ''[[Rust in Peace]]''-era line-up with the entire ''Youthanasia'' album as a tribute to the band's success at the time of the record's initial release).

===Post-Megadeth career and return (2002–2010)===
[[File:Davidellefson.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Ellefson on stage during Sweden Rock Festival 2009]]

Ellefson formed [[F5 (band)|F5]] following Megadeth's 2002 disbandment. The band featured Ellefson on bass, Dale Steele on vocals, Steve Conley on lead guitar, John Davis on rhythm guitar, and former Megadeth bandmate [[Jimmy DeGrasso]] on drums. Their first album, ''A Drug for all Seasons'', was released in 2005. F5 appeared in support for [[Disturbed (band)|Disturbed]] in February 2006 and toured the American Mid-West in the summer of 2006. Ellefson also appeared on the new Killing Machine record ''Metalmorphosis'' in 2006 alongside DeGrasso; he has also been working with Temple of Brutality. Ellefson is currently a member of the melodic [[power metal]] band [[Avian (band)|Avian]], which features singer [[Lance King]]. He commented in an interview with Alternative-Zine.com that "Megadeth was really just a starting point for me, creatively".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/#/45633/1/|title=David Ellefson interview with Alternative-Zine.com|access-date=October 28, 2008|date=October 22, 2008|publisher=[[idiomag]]}}</ref> Ellefson played five tracks for the [[Soulfly]] album ''[[Prophecy (Soulfly album)|Prophecy]]'' and also played on one track on ''[[Dark Ages (album)|Dark Ages]]''. He also worked with [[underground music|underground]] [[emcee]]/Record producer [[Necro (rapper)|Necro]] for his album entitled ''[[Death Rap]]''.

Ellefson is also a member of a cover band called [[Hail!]]. Ellefson, DeGrasso ([[Mike Portnoy]] for 2010), [[Tim "Ripper" Owens]] and [[Andreas Kisser]] formed the band in late 2008. The band was, as of April 2009, touring Europe. Ellefson participated in the Christmas Rock project [[Northern Light Orchestra]], he performed bass on many of the 17 tracks produced by rock drummer [[Ken Mary]] and also at the live show Christmas in April [[Orpheum Theatre (Phoenix, Arizona)|Orpheum Theatre]], [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], Arizona.

In February 2010, Ellefson received a text message from Megadeth drummer [[Shawn Drover]], saying "if ever there was a time for you and Dave [Mustaine] to talk, now is it".<ref name="Classic Rock">{{cite web|last=Dome|first=Malcolm|title=David Ellefson Exclusive: Why I'm Back In Megadeth|url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/dave-ellefson-exclusive-why-im-back-in-megadeth/|work=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|date=February 9, 2010|access-date=April 4, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101110346/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/dave-ellefson-exclusive-why-im-back-in-megadeth/|archive-date=November 1, 2013}}</ref> Ellefson was invited to rehearse with the band. After the phone call, the news was released that Ellefson would return to the Megadeth lineup. Ellefson was quoted saying "it felt like I never left" after their first rehearsal together.<ref>{{cite web|last=Prince|first=Pat|title=So Far, So Good With Megadeth Reunion|url=http://www.goldminemag.com/features/the-megadeth-reunion|work=[[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldmine]]|date=March 8, 2010|access-date=April 4, 2014}}</ref>

===Second tenure with Megadeth and departure (2010–2021)===
In 2013, Ellefson announced that his autobiography, entitled ''My Life with Deth'', would be issued by American publisher [[Howard Books]]. The memoir was co-written with author [[Joel McIver]], and features a foreword by [[Alice Cooper]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exclusive-megadeth-bassist-s-autobiography-due-next-year/|title=Megadeth Bassist's Autobiography Due Next Year|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=December 21, 2012|access-date=April 4, 2014}}</ref>
[[file:Megadeth performing in San Antonio, Texas (27457608296).jpg|thumb|upright|Ellefson performing with Megadeth in 2016]]
In 2018, it was announced that Ellefson had begun work on ''More Life with Deth'', the follow-up to his 2013 memoir ''My Life with Deth'', to be co-written with Ellefson's business partner, and frequent collaborator, [[Thom Hazaert]].<ref name="MLWD Loudwire 2018">{{cite web |title=David Ellefson Readies 'More Life With Deth' Memoir Follow-UP |url=https://loudwire.com/david-ellefson-readies-more-life-with-deth-memoir-follow-up/ |website=Loudwire |date=May 4, 2018 |access-date=June 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name="MLWD Loudwire 2018b">{{cite web |title=David Ellefson's New Megadeth Book Coming in 2019|url=https://loudwire.com/david-ellefson-megadeth-book-more-life-with-deth-2019/ |website=Loudwire |date=December 26, 2018 |access-date=June 15, 2019}}</ref> The book was released on July 16, 2019, by UK based Jawbone Press, and features contributions from [[Alice Cooper]], [[K.K. Downing]] of [[Judas Priest]], [[Dan Donegan]] of [[Disturbed (band)|Disturbed]], [[Brian Welch]] of [[Korn]], [[Mark Slaughter]], [[Ron Keel]], Jason McMaster of [[Dangerous Toys]], [[Frank Bello]] of [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]], [[Chris Adler]] ([[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]], ex-[[Megadeth]]), [[Mark Tremonti]] of [[Creed (band)|Creed]] and [[Alter Bridge]], [[Kiko Loureiro]] and [[Dirk Verbeuren]] of [[Megadeth]], actor [[Kristian Nairn]] (''[[Game of Thrones]]''), and more, plus a foreword by ''My Life with Deth'' co-author, and ''[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player Magazine]]'' editor [[Joel McIver]].<ref name="MLWD Sleeping Giants Eddie Trunk">{{cite web |title=Bassist Dave Ellefson Releases "More Life With Deth" on July19TH |url=https://eddietrunk.com/bassist-dave-ellefson-releases-more-life-with-deth-on-july-19th/ |website=Eddie Trunk |date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=June 15, 2019}}</ref>

In late 2018, he confirmed he was considered for the role of [[Metallica]] bassist twice: in 1986, after [[Cliff Burton]] was killed in a bus accident, and again in 2002 when bassist [[Jason Newsted]] left the band a year earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/megadeth-david-ellefson-almost-joined-metallica-twice/|title=Megadeth's David Ellefson Almost Joined Metallica… Twice' |publisher=Loudwire.com |date= December 28, 2018|access-date=December 30, 2018}}</ref> He was not included in the documentary ''[[Metallica: Some Kind of Monster]]'' showing musicians auditioning for the band, however, and after Newsted's departure the position was ultimately filled by [[Robert Trujillo]] (former [[Suicidal Tendencies]], [[Infectious Grooves]] and [[Ozzy Osbourne]]). In 2019, Ellefson said since he rejoined Megadeth, he is a salaried member as opposed to being an "equal owner" with Mustaine in order to retain their friendship.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Axl |title=Dave Ellefson Is a Salaried Member of Megadeth: "In Order to Have a Friendship, I Had to Give up Some Ownership" |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2019/05/28/dave-ellefson-is-a-salaried-member-of-megadeth-in-order-to-have-a-friendship-i-had-to-give-up-some-ownership/ |website=MetalSucks |date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=August 14, 2023}}</ref>

On May 24, 2021, Dave Mustaine released a statement on behalf of the band that David Ellefson had once again parted ways with Megadeth, following allegations of sexual misconduct with an underage fan. Ellefson denied any wrongdoing,<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Megadeth Officially Parts Ways With David Ellefson Following Sex Video Scandal|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/megadeth-offically-parts-ways-with-david-ellefson-following-sex-video-scandal/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=May 24, 2021 |access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref> and the other party denied being underage and said explicit videos were released without her consent.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|date=June 7, 2021|title=David Ellefson: Ex-Megadeth Bassist Details Revenge-Porn Case in Police Report|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-ellefson-megadeth-bassist-revenge-porn-police-report-1179919/|access-date=January 16, 2022|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref> On June 17, 2021, Dave Mustaine announced in his weekly [[Gimme Radio]] show that he intended to hire a new bassist to rerecord Ellefson's bass tracks for Megadeth's 2022 album ''[[The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiVita |first=Joe |date=June 18, 2021 |title=Megadeth to Replace David Ellefson's Bass Parts on New Album, Mustaine Confirms |url=https://loudwire.com/megadeth-replace-david-ellefson-bass-tracks-new-album/ |access-date=June 20, 2021 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>'' Ellefson's parts were overdubbed by [[Steve Di Giorgio]] of [[Testament (band)|Testament]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-12 |title=MEGADETH's New Album, 'The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead', Postponed To September |url=https://metaladdicts.com/megadeth-new-album-the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead-postponed-to-september/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Metal Addicts |language=en-US}}</ref> Former Megadeth bassist [[James LoMenzo]], who Ellefson replaced in 2010, would rejoin Megadeth in 2022 as Ellefson's full-time replacement.

===Post Megadeth projects (2021–present)===
[[File:ExMegadeth David Ellefson InterviewKings of Thrash Ellefson Soto Megadeth Canadian Metal720p.webm|thumb|right|Ellefson in 2022]]
Following his departure from Megadeth, Ellefson formed a new band named [[The Lucid]]. With Ellefson on bass, the band also consists of drummer [[Mike Heller]] ([[Fear Factory]], [[Malignancy (band)|Malignancy]]), guitarist [[Drew Fortier]], and vocalist [[Vinnie Dombroski]] ([[Sponge (band)|Sponge]], [[Spys4Darwin]]). Between September and October 2021, the band released three singles; "Maggot Wind", "Damned", and "[[Hair (The Lucid song)|Hair]]".<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 6, 2021|title=David Ellefson's Post-Megadeth Project the Lucid Releases Third Single, 'Hair'|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/david-ellefsons-post-megadeth-project-the-lucid-releases-third-single-hair/|access-date=October 6, 2021|website=blabbermouth.net}}</ref> Their self-titled debut, [[The Lucid (album)|''The Lucid'']], was released on October 15, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=David Ellefson Returns With His First Post-Megadeth Project the Lucid|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-ellefson-returns-with-first-post-megadeth-project-the-lucid/|access-date=September 8, 2021|website=Blabbermouth|date=September 8, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2023, the Lucid released their sophomore effort, a five-track EP titled [[Saddle Up and Ride (The Lucid EP)|''Saddle Up and Ride'']].<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 23, 2022 |title=WTF?! Hear David Ellefson Team With ICP's Violent J on New Lucid Song |language=en |work=Revolver |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-former-megadeth-bassist-david-ellefson-team-insane-clown-posses-violent-j-new-song |access-date=March 20, 2023}}</ref> The EP includes a guest performance from [[Insane Clown Posse]] vocalist [[Violent J]] on the title track as well as a cover of [[Faith No More]]'s "[[Epic (Faith No More song)|Epic]]" retitled as "Sweet Toof".<ref>{{Cite news |title=How Violent J From Insane Clown Posse Ended Up On A Couple Songs With Vinnie Dombrowski From Sponge And Ex Megadeth Bassist David Ellefson|url=https://wrif.com/listicle/how-violent-j-from-insane-clown-posse-ended-up-on-a-song-with-vinnie-dombrowski-from-sponge-and-ex-megadeth-bassist-david-ellefson/ |access-date=March 20, 2023 |website=WRIF Rocks Detroit |language=en}}</ref> Between December 2022 and January 2023, four singles from the EP were released; "Saddle Up and Ride", "Mumps", "Risk Machine", and "Sweet Toof".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |date=January 20, 2023 |title=THE LUCID & INSANE CLOWN POSSE's VIOLENT J Reimagining FAITH NO MORE's "Epic" Is Something|url=https://metalinjection.net/new-music/the-lucid-insane-clown-posses-violent-j-reimagining-faith-no-mores-epic-is-something |access-date=March 20, 2023 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2022, Ellefson formed the death metal band Dieth with Guilherme Miranda on guitar and vocals and Michał Łysejko on drums. The band released their first single, ''In the Hall of the Hanging Serpents'', on July 13, 2022. The band released three more singles and their first album ''To Hell and Back'' in 2023. Song ''Walk With Me Forever'' from the same album marks Ellefson's first time in his career singing lead vocals.

In 2022, Ellefson formed the band Kings Of Thrash with former Megadeth guitarist [[Jeff Young]]. The band plays songs from the first three studio albums of Megadeth live (and sometimes Mustaine-penned Metallica tunes, such as "[[Jump In The Fire]]").<ref>{{cite web |title=DAVID ELLEFSON Reunites With Early MEGADETH Guitarist GREG HANDEVIDT For 'Jump In The Fire' Performance In Minneapolis|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-ellefson-reunites-with-early-megadeth-guitarist-greg-handevidt-for-jump-in-the-fire-performance-in-minneapolis |website=[[Blabbermouth]] |access-date=August 5, 2023 |date=February 18, 2023}}</ref> They had former Megadeth guitarist [[Chris Poland]] as a guest on their ''The MEGA Years'' tour in 2022. In February 2023, the group also played shows with an early guitarist for Megadeth, Greg Handevidt.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daly |first1=Andrew |title="I'd hear Dave Mustaine aimlessly riffing on the couch, and it's the riffs that ended up on the first two Megadeth – and, frankly, Metallica – records": Megadeth's first lead guitarist Greg Handevidt on the birth of a metal institution|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/megadeth-greg-handevidt |website=Guitar World Magazine |date=August 2, 2023 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |quote="I actually did a quick show with Kings of Thrash back in February, which was an absolute blast," Handevidt explains of his involvement with the group. "Beyond that, it's a whole lot of maybe. I've been talking with David Ellefson for the last eight or nine months about doing something, and we're planning on putting something out by the end of the year. But that's about all I'm gonna say about that right now. If David wants me to do more, I'd be up for it."}}</ref>

In April 2024, Ellefson fillied in for bassist [[D.D. Verni]] on [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]]'s Latin American tour when Verni was unable to perform as he was recovering from shoulder surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-ellefson-to-play-bass-for-overkill-on-2024-latin-american-tour|title=DAVID ELLEFSON To Play Bass For OVERKILL On 2024 Latin American Tour|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=March 11, 2024|accessdate=March 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-04-12 |title=Watch: Ex-MEGADETH Bassist DAVID ELLEFSON Performs With OVERKILL For First Time |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-ex-megadeth-bassist-david-ellefson-performs-with-overkill-for-first-time |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>