The history of metal is filled with iconic friendships and mutual respect between giants. One such connection was between David Ellefson , founding member and former bassist of Megadeth , and legendary Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell and a peculiar insistence during the tour the two bands did together.
In a recent interview (transcribed via Loudwire ), Ellefson recalled the night he met Dimebag Darrell in Texas in 1988. At the time, the guitarist was still known as "Diamond Darrell." The Megadeth bassist recounted how the night, fueled by plenty of drinks, ended with a shocking statement.
The Megadeth album that “changed Dimebag Darrell’s life”.
Ellefson detailed the moment when Dimebag approached him to express his admiration. “After we’d been drinking all night, he came up to me, looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘David, I just want to tell you that the album ‘Peace Sells’ changed my life’,” the bassist recounted.
Initially, David Ellefson didn't give the statement much weight, treating it as a casual compliment between musicians. "I kind of ignored it, like, 'Oh, thanks, man. I appreciate it.'"
However, Dimebag realized he hadn't been taken seriously and made a point of reinforcing his point. “I remember he put his hand on my shoulder. He said, ‘No, it changed my life,’” Ellefson explained. “It was like a sobering moment right there when he said that.”
Thus, Dimebag's passion for Megadeth's second album, Peace Sells… but Who's Buying? (1986), was genuine and profound, marking the beginning of a friendship between the musicians.
Pantera and the refusal to play "Cemetery Gates" on the 1992 tour.
Four years after that first meeting, Pantera was invited to open for Megadeth during the Countdown to Extinction in 1992. This strengthened their friendship, as did their backstage banter.
However, Ellefson revealed a friendly “rivalry” that occurred during the European leg of the tour. The members of Megadeth had a favorite Pantera song that they begged the opening band to play every night: “ Cemetery Gates ” .
Despite daily requests from the main band, Pantera categorically refused to include the hit song from the album Cowboys from Hell in their setlist.
David Ellefson explains why Pantera didn't want to play "Cemetery Gates".
David Ellefson has a theory about Pantera's stubbornness. At that time, the band was promoting the acclaimed and heavy Vulgar Display of Power . Furthermore, vocalist Phil Anselmo had shaved his head and become a hardcore icon, bringing that style into the mainstream.
In other words, according to Ellefson, "Cemetery Gates" simply no longer fit the band's new sound.
“I think at that point, 'Vulgar' (Display of Power) was so heavy… and Phil was a hardcore star,” he analyzed. “I think for them, 'Cemetery Gates' was very much a 'ballad'. And we were like, 'Come on, it's a fucking awesome song. You guys have to play it.'”
However, the prank reached its peak at the last show of the tour. As a form of "revenge" for Megadeth's insistence, Pantera's crew invaded the stage during the main band's set wearing only underwear. That night, however, they finally gave in and played "Cemetery Gates" to close the tour.
READ ALSO : Megadeth's farewell is an "attempt to increase sales," says David Ellefson
