megadeth bio

1982

Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield form Metallica.
Dave Mustaine leaves Panic and joins Metallica.
Ron McGovney is hired as Metallica's bassist
March, Metallica's first gig at Radio City in Anaheim
March, Metallica opens for Saxon on their "Denim and Leather" tour
April, Brad Parker (a.k.a. Damian Phillips) is hired as Metallica's second guitarist. He leaves band after one gig, Metallica's only as a five-piece band.
May, James Hetfield takes up rhythm guitar in addition to vocals.
June, "Hit the Lights" is included on Metal Massacre compilation
Rare demo album No Life 'til Leather is released.
December, Cliff Burton leaves Trauma to replace Ron McGovney

1983

March, Cliff Burton's first gig with Metallica
April, Dave Mustaine is fired from Metallica, Kirk Hammet leaves Exodus to replace him
Metallica's first album, Kill 'Em All, is released
Dave Mustaine gets together with bassist David Ellefson, guitarist Kerry King, and drummer Lee Rash to form Megadeth
Kerry King assists Megadeth on tour and then returns to Slayer
Lee Rash is replaced by Gar Samuelson
Chris Poland is hired to fill the gap Kerry King helped with.
Hawaii (Marty Friedman's second band) releases One Nation Underground
December 31st, Mustaine becomes Megadeth's singer

1984

1985

1986

Cliff Burton dies in bus accident
November, Megadeth releases Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?
Capitol Records signs Megadeth, gets rights to Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? from Combat
Overkill opens for Megadeth on "Wake Up Dead" tour
Chris Poland and Gar Samuelson are fired after last show of tour in Hawaii

1987

February, Megadeth opens for Alice Cooper's "Constrictor" tour
Megadeth tours with Mercyful Fate
Chuck Behler hired as Megadeth's drummer
Jay Reynolds of Malice helps out Megadeth until they find a suitable replacement for Chris Poland, guitarist Jeff Young
Marty Friedman's and Jason Becker's Cacophony releases Speed Metal Symphony

1988

March, Megadeth releases So Far, So Good... So What!
Megadeth opens for Dio on European tour
Megadeth featured in acclaimed documentary, Decline of Western Civilization 2: The Metal Years
August, Megadeth plays Castle Donnington with KISS, and Iron Maiden as the headliner
Megadeth opens for the "Monsters of Rock" tour.
Marty Friedman releases his first solo album, Dragon's Kiss
Megadeth cancels Australian tour
Dave Mustaine helps produce Sanctuary's Refuge Denied

1989

Cacophony releases Go Off!
Jeff Young and Chuck Behler are fired
Mustaine is arrested for impaired driving, forced to clean up in 12-step program
July, Nick Menza, is hired as Megadeth's drummer

1990

January, Megadeth covers Alice Cooper's "No More Mr. Nice Guy" for Wes Craven's Shocker soundtrack, their only song as a three-piece band
Jason Becker is diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs's disease, Cacophony officially breaks up
February, Marty Friedman is hired as Megadeth's lead guitarist
October, Megadeth releases Rust in Peace
October, Megadeth joins Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies, and Testament for "Clash of the Titans" tour

1991

March, Megadeth opens for Judas Priest, in support of their new album Painkiller
April, Dave Mustaine gets married to Pamela Anne Casselberry
April, Rusted Pieces video is released
July, Megadeth's "Go to Hell" featured on Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey soundtrack
US "Clash of the Titans" tour featuring Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth, and opener Alice in Chains

1992

1993

Dave Mustaine makes a guest appearance on Diamond Head's Death and Progress
February, Dave Mustaine overdoses in a getting high attempt. The quote on MTV's "Night of the Living Megadeth" regarding it was a joke.
Megadeth plays Milton Keynes Bowl with Diamond Head and Metallica
Megadeth opens for Iron Maiden for a few dates on their European Tour
Aerosmith kicks Megadeth off their American "Get A Grip" tour, Jackyl takes their place
Pantera opens for Megadeth's "Countdown to Extinction" Tour
June, Megadeth's "Angry Again" featured on Last Action Hero soundtrack
November, Megadeth's "99 Ways to Die" featured on The Beavis and Butthead Experience soundtrack

1994

Halloween, Megadeth releases Youthanasia, plays on MTV's "Night of the Living Megadeth"
October, Megadeth covers "Paranoid" for Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black Sabbath

1995

January, Megadeth's "Diadems" featured on Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight soundtrack
January to February, "Youth" worldwide tour with Corrosion of Conformity
March, Megadeth releases Hidden Treasures compilation in Europe
May, Evolver: The Making of Youthanasia video is released
July, Megadeth releases Hidden Treasures compilation in USA and Japan
July to August, "Reckoning Day" tour with Flotsam and Jetsam, Korn and Fear Factory
Marty Friedman releases Introduction, with Nick Menza on drums

1996

1997

June, Megadeth releases Cryptic Writings
Remix of Megadeth's "Almost Honest" included on Mortal Kombat Annihilation soundtrack

1998

1999

Megadeth enters the studio with producer Dann Huff in Nashville to record their follow up to Cryptic Writings.
Megadeth spend the summer playing radio shows, and eventually join Iron Maiden for a European tour in September.
"Crush 'Em" is released on the Universal Soldier 2 Soundtrack and eventually makes its way into NHL arenas and WCW.
Risk is released on August 31, 1999, and is certified gold a month later.