Dave Mustaine’s longtime Megadeth bandmate bassist David Ellefson sent love to his friend on Monday (June 17) after Mustaine revealed that he’s receiving treatment for throat cancer. “Praying for my friend @DaveMustaine for a full and speedy recovery!,” Ellefson tweeted shortly after Mustaine, 57, said that all the band’s shows this year were being canceled in order for him to receive treatment.
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Praying for my friend @DaveMustaine for a full and speedy recovery! https://t.co/0vq6hqcnzV
— David Ellefson (@ellefsondavid) June 17, 2019
Ellefson also called into the Classic Metal Show on Monday to discuss Mustaine’s condition, describing how the band was bracing for “the bomb today” when the announcement was released. “Thoughts and prayers are always welcome. Dave has started his treatment. We’ve been in Nashville for the last month and a half working on the album, so we were watching this all unfold before us,” he said. “It just became a reality where it was, like, ‘Look, in order to do this treatment properly, follow the doctor’s orders, Dave can’t be undergoing treatment for cancer and be out playing big rock concerts.’
“So we had to say, ‘We’ve got to just stop. We’ve got to clear the decks and put this as the number one priority,’ which is what the announcement was – just addressing it and giving everybody a heads up that some shows are going to have to go away until this all gets worked out.” Ellefson said he and Mustaine have been through their share up ups and downs, “drug addictions, breakups and makeups and everything else in between. This is another one. We’re optimistic about the treatments and the success rate is usually pretty good on this one, so I think there’s a lot of optimism at the end of this whole thing.”
The one event they are not canceling is the band’s Megacruise, slated for Oct. 13-18, which is still slated to take place. “Dave’s a warrior, he’s a fighter, and he’s got pretty good sensibilities about when to hit the gas and when to hit the brake. So it’s what it needs to be right at this exact time,” Ellefson added.
Many of Mustaine’s metal friends sent their well wishes for a speedy recovery as well, including Slash, Judas Priest, Anthrax, daughter Electra and many more. See some of their comments below.
I have 100% faith you will conquer this as you do everything else. Get better soon my friend. iiii]; )’
— Slash (@Slash) June 18, 2019
For Dave Mustaine:
Full on Metal Power Dave for a strong healing!Judas Priest
— Judas Priest (@judaspriest) June 18, 2019
Our thoughts go out to @Megadeth‘s Dave Mustaine. Marshall wishes him a fast and full recovery — pic.twitter.com/qRHL2C1adO
— Marshall Amps (@marshallamps) June 18, 2019
Monday’s are always a long day for me w/ back to back live @SIRIUSXM shows. I discussed this on the air today but didn’t have a chance to post here: A huge get well soon to @DaveMustaine ! Best wishes for a speedy recovery as he battles throat cancer.
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) June 18, 2019
Everyone from the BC camp wishes @DaveMustaine all the best, and a speedy recovery; Dave you will beat this! Much love & respect to Dave & @Megadeth family. #StayStrongDave pic.twitter.com/DADNL0mYZT
— BODY COUNT (@BodyCountBand) June 18, 2019
Old band mates with @Metallica. Hopefully , I can give @DaveMustaine a hug like this very soon. We are all standing strong with you Dave! pic.twitter.com/0PBha8EqfW
— Ron McGovney (@RonMcGovney) June 17, 2019
Please keep the legend Dave Mustaine in your thoughts and prayers as he kicks this throat cancer’s ass! —
— Papa Roach (@paparoach) June 17, 2019
Wishing you a speedy recovery @DaveMustaine – kick cancers ass! Here’s to a Megarecovery!#FuckCancer https://t.co/ghwR0yI2VL
— John 5 (@john5guitarist) June 17, 2019
Join me in sending out some good vibes to @DaveMustaine for a battle I know he will win! Long live @Megadeth #fuckcancer pic.twitter.com/p8tG659bgF
— BillyBio (@billybiohazard) June 17, 2019
I would do and give anything for this man. Dad… I love you so so much. You‘ve taught me what love should look like, taught me reliability, perseverance, commitment….and mostly, strength.
On days when you can’t, I will give you mine. ?? #FathersDay @davemustaine pic.twitter.com/X9hP8umU8u— ELECTRA (@electramustaine) June 17, 2019
Sending positive vibes to @DaveMustaine who has just been diagnosed with throat cancer. Stay strong brother! @Megadeth @TheMEGACruise
— OVERKILL (@OverkillBand) June 17, 2019
Believing in faith that God can and will heal and restore you my friend….. Many are with you in thoughts & prayers—— https://t.co/e7kmrxs9fl
— MichaelSweet Stryper (@michaelhsweet) June 17, 2019
To our brother Dave, We are with you. Stay strong and all the best for your speedy recovery. Much love from all of us at Anthrax https://t.co/80H17DJagn
— Anthrax (@Anthrax) June 17, 2019