Megadeth is officially without a bassist. The band announced this Monday, the 24th, the departure of David Ellefson after the recent sex scandal involving a young woman who was allegedly underage at the beginning of the extramarital affair.
With the band's decision, Megadeth fans are suggesting Jason Newsted – formerly of Metallica – to take over the position. The musician's name is mentioned on all social media platforms where the band published Ellefson's dismissal notice. "Imagine if Jason Newsted stepped in…," says the second most liked comment on Instagram so far. Requests are also appearing on Facebook and Twitter.
Despite the public's affection, Newsted revealed that he doesn't have "the physical condition required" to play songs by Metallica and Voivod Dave Mustaine 's band on the tour already announced for the second half of 2021, as he does fewer than 10 shows a year due to health difficulties.
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At 58 years old, the bassist has already undergone three shoulder surgeries. Suffering from severe pain, the musician became addicted to Vicodin, a painkiller, and needed professional help to cope with withdrawal and quit the drug. “I kept playing music the best I could, but I never managed to get back to what I was completely. I’m like 90%,” he told the Florida Daily Post .
READ ALSO: David Ellefson's Twitter profile deleted after sex scandal involving a young woman.