In a recent interview on radio station Real Rock 99.3 Dave Mustaine set the record straight and stated that Dave Ellefson is not a founding member of the band. “Megadeth was already in its formative phase long before I even knew David Ellefson. The name MEGADETH didn’t come up until after Dave and I had met. But there was another bass player before Dave.” Note that Ellefson was a member of Megadeth since the beginning of the band in 1983, while in 2004 he sued Mustaine for $18,5 million for merchandise and publishing royalties. In 2005 however the case was dismissed in court and in 2010 he rejoined the band.