MegadethLineup
Megadeth from the top down — who started it, every change since, and the band today. Anyone I actually watched play is ringed in red. Tap a face for their story.
1983The original lineup
1984
1987
1998
1999
2002
2004
2008
2014
2016
2023
The band today
Every lineup, in order
The band as it stood at each change — the full roster, not just who came and went.
- 1983 – 1984★ Original lineup
- Dijon Carruthers drums (drum set), percussion
- Kerry King background vocals, guitar
- Greg Handevidt guitar
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Jan 1984 – Dec 1984+ Lee Rausch+ Gar Samuelson− Dijon Carruthers− Kerry King− Greg Handevidt
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Lee Rausch drums (drum set)
- Gar Samuelson drums (drum set)
- 1984 – 1985+ Chris Poland
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Lee Rausch drums (drum set)
- Gar Samuelson drums (drum set)
- Chris Poland background vocals, guitar
- 1985 – 1987− Lee Rausch
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Gar Samuelson drums (drum set)
- Chris Poland background vocals, guitar
- Jan 1987 – Jun 1987+ Jeff Young
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Gar Samuelson drums (drum set)
- Chris Poland background vocals, guitar
- Jeff Young background vocals, guitar
- Jun 1987+ Jay Reynolds+ Chuck Behler
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Gar Samuelson drums (drum set)
- Chris Poland background vocals, guitar
- Jeff Young background vocals, guitar
- Jay Reynolds guitar
- Chuck Behler drums (drum set)
- 1987 – 1988− Gar Samuelson− Chris Poland
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Jeff Young background vocals, guitar
- Jay Reynolds guitar
- Chuck Behler drums (drum set)
- Jan 1988 – Aug 1988− Jay Reynolds
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Jeff Young background vocals, guitar
- Chuck Behler drums (drum set)
- 1988 – 1989− Jeff Young− Chuck Behler
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- 1989 – 1990+ Nick Menza
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Nick Menza drums (drum set)
- 1990 – 1998+ Marty Friedman
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Nick Menza drums (drum set)
- Marty Friedman background vocals, guitar
- Jul 1998+ Jimmy DeGrasso
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Nick Menza drums (drum set)
- Marty Friedman background vocals, guitar
- Jimmy DeGrasso drums (drum set)
- 1998 – 1999− Nick Menza
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Marty Friedman background vocals, guitar
- Jimmy DeGrasso drums (drum set)
You saw this lineup - 1999 – 2000− Marty Friedman
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Jimmy DeGrasso drums (drum set)
- 2000 – 2002+ Al Pitrelli
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Jimmy DeGrasso drums (drum set)
- Al Pitrelli background vocals, electric guitar
- 2002 – 2004− David Ellefson− Jimmy DeGrasso− Al Pitrelli
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Jan 2004 – Aug 2004+ Jimmie Lee Sloas+ Nick Menza+ Chris Poland
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Jimmie Lee Sloas bass guitar
- Nick Menza drums (drum set)
- Chris Poland background vocals, guitar
- Aug 2004 – Oct 2004+ James MacDonough+ Glen Drover
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Jimmie Lee Sloas bass guitar
- Nick Menza drums (drum set)
- Chris Poland background vocals, guitar
- James MacDonough background vocals, bass guitar
- Glen Drover background vocals, electric guitar
- 2004 – 2005+ Shawn Drover
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Jimmie Lee Sloas bass guitar
- Nick Menza drums (drum set)
- Chris Poland background vocals, guitar
- James MacDonough background vocals, bass guitar
- Glen Drover background vocals, electric guitar
- Shawn Drover drums (drum set), percussion
- 2005 – 2006− Jimmie Lee Sloas− Nick Menza− Chris Poland
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- James MacDonough background vocals, bass guitar
- Glen Drover background vocals, electric guitar
- Shawn Drover drums (drum set), percussion
- Mar 2006+ James LoMenzo
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- James MacDonough background vocals, bass guitar
- Glen Drover background vocals, electric guitar
- Shawn Drover drums (drum set), percussion
- James LoMenzo background vocals, electric bass guitar
- 2006 – 2008− James MacDonough
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Glen Drover background vocals, electric guitar
- Shawn Drover drums (drum set), percussion
- James LoMenzo background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Jan 2008+ Chris Broderick
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Glen Drover background vocals, electric guitar
- Shawn Drover drums (drum set), percussion
- James LoMenzo background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Chris Broderick background vocals, guitar
- 2008 – 2010− Glen Drover
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Shawn Drover drums (drum set), percussion
- James LoMenzo background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Chris Broderick background vocals, guitar
- Jan 2010 – Feb 2010+ David Ellefson
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Shawn Drover drums (drum set), percussion
- James LoMenzo background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Chris Broderick background vocals, guitar
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- 2010 – 2014− James LoMenzo
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Shawn Drover drums (drum set), percussion
- Chris Broderick background vocals, guitar
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- 2014 – 2015− Shawn Drover− Chris Broderick
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- 2015 – 2016+ Kiko Loureiro
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Kiko Loureiro electric guitar
- 2016 – 2021+ Dirk Verbeuren
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- David Ellefson background vocals, electric bass guitar
- Kiko Loureiro electric guitar
- Dirk Verbeuren drums (drum set)
- 2021 – 2022− David Ellefson
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Kiko Loureiro electric guitar
- Dirk Verbeuren drums (drum set)
You saw this lineup - 2022 – 2023+ James LoMenzo
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Kiko Loureiro electric guitar
- Dirk Verbeuren drums (drum set)
- James LoMenzo electric bass guitar
- 2023 – nowCurrent+ Teemu Mäntysaari− Kiko Loureiro
- Dave Mustaine electric guitar, lead vocals
- Dirk Verbeuren drums (drum set)
- James LoMenzo electric bass guitar
- Teemu Mäntysaari electric guitar
32 line-ups of Megadeth since it formed.
Everything that happened to Megadeth’s lineup, in order — each entry says what it was.
- 1983
★ Original lineupDave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
★ Original lineupDavid Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
★ Original lineupDijon Carruthersdrums (drum set), percussion
★ Original lineupGreg Handevidtguitar
★ Original lineupKerry Kingbackground vocals, guitar
- → Left the bandDijon Carruthers
drums (drum set), percussion · 1983–1983
- → Left the bandKerry King
background vocals, guitar · 1983–1983
›Lineup after 1983 (5)
- Dijon Carruthersdrums (drum set), percussion
- Kerry Kingbackground vocals, guitar
- Greg Handevidtguitar
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- 1984
+ JoinedChris Polandbackground vocals, guitar
+ JoinedGar Samuelsondrums (drum set)
+ JoinedLee Rauschdrums (drum set)
- → Left the bandGreg Handevidt
guitar · 1983–1984
- → Left the bandLee Rausch
drums (drum set) · 1984–1984
›Lineup after 1984 (5)
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Lee Rauschdrums (drum set)
- Gar Samuelsondrums (drum set)
- Chris Polandbackground vocals, guitar
- 1987
+ JoinedChuck Behlerdrums (drum set)
- JR+ JoinedJay Reynolds
guitar
+ JoinedJeff Youngbackground vocals, guitar
- → Left the bandChris Poland
background vocals, guitar · 1984–1987
- → Left the bandGar Samuelson
drums (drum set) · 1984–1987
- JR→ Left the bandJay Reynolds
guitar · 1987–1987
›Lineup after 1987 (5)
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Jeff Youngbackground vocals, guitar
- Jay Reynoldsguitar
- Chuck Behlerdrums (drum set)
- 1988
- → Left the bandChuck Behler
drums (drum set) · 1987–1988
- → Left the bandJeff Young
background vocals, guitar · 1987–1988
›Lineup after 1988 (2)
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- 1989
+ JoinedNick Menzadrums (drum set)
›Lineup after 1989 (3)
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Nick Menzadrums (drum set)
- 1990
+ JoinedMarty Friedmanbackground vocals, guitar
›Lineup after 1990 (4)
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Nick Menzadrums (drum set)
- Marty Friedmanbackground vocals, guitar
- 1998
+ JoinedJimmy DeGrassodrums (drum set)
- → Left the bandNick Menza
drums (drum set) · 1989–1998
›Lineup after 1998 (4)
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Marty Friedmanbackground vocals, guitar
- Jimmy DeGrassodrums (drum set)
- 1999
- → Left the bandMarty Friedman
background vocals, guitar · 1990–1999
- ✝ DiedGar Samuelson
natural causes — liver cirrhosis · at Orange City · aged 41
›Lineup after 1999 (3)
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Jimmy DeGrassodrums (drum set)
- 2000
+ JoinedAl Pitrellibackground vocals, electric guitar
›Lineup after 2000 (4)
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Jimmy DeGrassodrums (drum set)
- Al Pitrellibackground vocals, electric guitar
- 2002
- → Left the bandAl Pitrelli
background vocals, electric guitar · 2000–2002
- → Left the bandDavid Ellefson
background vocals, electric bass guitar · 1983–2002
- → Left the bandJimmy DeGrasso
drums (drum set) · 1998–2002
›Lineup after 2002 (1)
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- 2004
+ JoinedGlen Droverbackground vocals, electric guitar
+ JoinedJames MacDonoughbackground vocals, bass guitar
- JL+ JoinedJimmie Lee Sloas
bass guitar
+ JoinedShawn Droverdrums (drum set), percussion
- JL→ Left the bandJimmie Lee Sloas
bass guitar · 2004–2004
›Lineup after 2004 (7)
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Jimmie Lee Sloasbass guitar
- Nick Menzadrums (drum set)
- Chris Polandbackground vocals, guitar
- James MacDonoughbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Glen Droverbackground vocals, electric guitar
- Shawn Droverdrums (drum set), percussion
- 2006
- → Left the bandJames MacDonough
background vocals, bass guitar · 2004–2006
›Lineup after 2006 (4)
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Glen Droverbackground vocals, electric guitar
- Shawn Droverdrums (drum set), percussion
- James LoMenzobackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- 2008
+ JoinedChris Broderickbackground vocals, guitar
- → Left the bandGlen Drover
background vocals, electric guitar · 2004–2008
›Lineup after 2008 (4)
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Shawn Droverdrums (drum set), percussion
- James LoMenzobackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Chris Broderickbackground vocals, guitar
- 2014
- → Left the bandChris Broderick
background vocals, guitar · 2008–2014
- → Left the bandShawn Drover
drums (drum set), percussion · 2004–2014
›Lineup after 2014 (2)
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- 2015
+ JoinedKiko Loureiroelectric guitar
›Lineup after 2015 (3)
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Kiko Loureiroelectric guitar
- 2016
+ JoinedDirk Verbeurendrums (drum set)
- ✝ DiedNick Menza
natural causes — myocardial infarction · at Los Angeles · aged 52
›Lineup after 2016 (4)
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- David Ellefsonbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- Kiko Loureiroelectric guitar
- Dirk Verbeurendrums (drum set)
- 2022
+ JoinedJames LoMenzoelectric bass guitar
›Lineup after 2022 (4)
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Kiko Loureiroelectric guitar
- Dirk Verbeurendrums (drum set)
- James LoMenzoelectric bass guitar
- 2023
+ JoinedTeemu Mäntysaarielectric guitar
- → Left the bandKiko Loureiro
electric guitar · 2015–2023
- ✝ DiedLee Rausch
aged 59
›Lineup after 2023 (4)
- Dave Mustaineelectric guitar, lead vocals
- Dirk Verbeurendrums (drum set)
- James LoMenzoelectric bass guitar
- Teemu Mäntysaarielectric guitar
★ Original lineup+ Joined→ Left the band✝ Died
Every member(24)
Everyone who has played in Megadeth, in the order they joined — ending with the lineup today. Tap anyone for their photos and story.
Current lineup