MEGADETH's ELLEFSON On RONNIE JAMES DIO: 'He Is Truly The Stuff Of Legend'

For Bass Players Only recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

For Bass Players Only: What's the story behind the formation of MEGADETH?

Ellefson: I grew up on a farm outside a small town of 3,000 people, a town called Jackson, Minnesota. From the time I took up bass at age 11, I immediately started putting rock bands together with friends and regional musicians. I was not the stay-at-home practice guy, but rather a guy who practiced so I could be on stage. To me, being a touring/recording rock & roller was the aim from day one. Don't get me wrong, I spent a ton of time in my basement learning to play and woodshed, but practicing was a means to an end, not an end in itself. I had a hunch at age 16 that I should move to Los Angeles to get a band going, that my future was out there. I'm glad I followed that hunch because I moved to L.A. within five days after graduating from high school two years later, in 1983. My backup plan was to attend B.I.T. (Bass Institute of Technology, at the Musician's Institute) but my real aim was to get into — or put together — a metal band. Ironically, I moved into an apartment under Dave Mustaine, who had just been released from METALLICA. In hindsight, our meeting was not coincidental because that hunch at age 16 was the good Lord putting things in motion and all those years preparing in rural Minnesota were the seeds planted for that pursuit, which became MEGADETH.

For Bass Players Only: How far did you think the band would go? Were you surprised at how successful you were?

Ellefson: I knew as soon as I met Dave that he was the "real deal" and that together we would set out to form a band that would in fact become successful. That is not meant to be proud or boastful, but you could really feel it in the room that it was going to be big. Keep in mind, it didn't just "become" big. We worked our tails off for the success we've enjoyed. I think for most musicians, the payout of success isn't as important as the work you put into it because the work you put into it is part of the payout, the real enjoyment of doing what you love.

For Bass Players Only: The music world recently lost Ronnie James Dio, a powerful force in rock history. Do you have any special thoughts or feelings about Ronnie that you'd like to share?

Ellefson: Ronnie James Dio was the ultimate singer/artist. He had his own unique vocal style, but was also an incredibly proficient and original writer. I was a fan as soon as I heard him on the BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW classics, but his solo work in DIO just propelled him — and heavy metal in general — to a really hip mainstream appeal for the masses. He is truly the stuff of legend.

For Bass Players Only: Tell me about F5 and HAIL!

Ellefson: When MEGADETH came to an end in 2002 due to Dave's arm injury, I had no idea what to do next. So, just like back in Minnesota when I was a kid, I followed my hunches and the trail of crumbs laid out before me. It really taught me the importance of reaching out and networking with people I knew in the music industry, which opened doors to new opportunities. One of those was songwriting and producing with a lot of signed and unsigned artists. Out of that, came my introductions to the guys in F5 and one day, a year later, we got in a room, threw some ideas around and... presto, a band was formed! The successful people I admire, in all walks of life, network a lot. For a musician's success, networking is just as important as playing, which is why so many musicians are never successful. Too many players spend all their time practicing on their fretboard rather than sharpening their skills on the phone or with email. Working musicians need to be connected to playing opportunities, which will open doors to new opportunities. I'm glad I had that realization early on. As for HAIL!, a manager friend of mine kept calling me about putting together an all-star band to play some shows in South America. Finally, in the fall of 2008, I got serious about it, as I had just completed the Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp tour and my work with that organization laid the groundwork for me to conceptualize HAIL!

Read the entire interview from For Bass Players Only.