David Ellefson, the longtime bassist for Megadeth, has voiced doubts about whether the band’s announced retirement is something more than a boilerplate goodbye. In interviews and on his podcast, Ellefson said he hopes the farewell tour and final album genuinely marks the band’s end—done “with dignity and grace” —but cautioned that many acts have used similar language only to reignite years later.
Megadeth officially declared that their upcoming self-titled album, set for release in 2026, will be their last. The announcement included plans for a farewell world tour. But for Ellefson, who first joined the band in 1984 and played through many of its most iconic eras, it’s hard not to wonder if those plans will hold. He said he isn’t inside the decision-making circle anymore, but as someone with deep roots, he has opinions.
Part of his concern comes from seeing how fans and industry respond to farewells. “If Dave needs to shut it down and call it quits because he’s been through it all, then hey … God bless you, brother,” Ellefson stated. But he also added, “If it really is a farewell, if it really is, and it’s not just an attempt to boost ticket sales … then please do so with dignity and grace and do what you say and mean what you say.”
Ellefson also expressed desire that any final shows be done in a way that honors the history—bringing back former members for a proper send-off. He compared the model to Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning concert, where founding members reunited for fans. For him, that kind of goodbye is meaningful.
Despite his reservations, Ellefson said that if Mustaine and the rest feel that this truly is it, he respects that and hopes they follow through. “Would I like to be a part of it? Yeah, of course. Who wouldn’t? I’m a founding member of it … but is that gonna happen? Who knows?” he admitted.
