Megadeth Family Tree
This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.
We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.
Megadeth are the thrash metal band formed by guitarist / singer / primary song writer, Dave Mustaine after being booted from Metallica shortly before recording their first album. This was not before Dave made his mark on the early years of that band. Along side the earlier members of Metallica, Dave Mustaine should be considered with equal respect in regards to the innovation of thrash metal. Following his firing, Dave went on to form one of the biggest most influential thrash bands.
Perhaps more than most bands, Megadeth has had a rotating door of members with Mustaine being the only consistent member. The first few years of Megadeth was a process of finding the right members for the band to kick off with the first notable line up being Dave, David Ellefson on bass, Chris Poland on guitar, and Gar Samuelson on drums. The first two albums were done with this line up with all song writing credits belonging to Dave.
The Third album would see replacements for Chris and Gar with Jeff Young on guitar, and Chuck Behler on drums. This album would be the first to feature a few co-writing credits from Ellefson, but otherwise songs are credited again to Dave.
The fourth album Rust in Peace would see the beginning of the only steady line up of Megadeth and would produce four albums in total. Marty Friedman would fill the guitar role with Nick Menza on drums. Rust in Peace was mostly written, again, by Mustaine with a co-writing credit and one full credit for a short song by Ellefson. For the next three albums though this line up would all have writing credit to some degree.
Phase One
Phase one of Megadeth consists of the first three albums. During this period Dave Mustaine was the sole writer with some contribution from David Ellefson on four tracks during that time.
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi was an virtuoso violinist of the classical period. Dave mentioned liking him and aid he he played guitar with distortion he’d probably be in Megadeth because of his shred factor.
The Supremes
The Supremes were a pop trio in their prime during the 60’s. Dave named them as one of his early Motown influences.
Diana Ross
Diana Ross who started was a singer who started with the Supremes. Dave named her among the Motown which was an early influence on him.
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye has been called both the prince of Motown and Soul. Dave named him as one of his early influences.
The Beatles are one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Dave named George Harrison as an influence. Al also named The Beatles.
David Bowie is an influential rock icon. Dave said the first album he bought was the live album ChangesNowBowie.
The Rolling Stones are a huge band from the British Invasion. Dave named Keith Richards as an influence.
The Who were an influence on many. Dave mentioned them as an influence and that over the years realizes they was more of an influence then he realized.
Al Green
Al Green was a soul singer. Dave named him as an early influence.
Stanley Clark
Stanley Clark is an influential jazz / fusion bassist, famously of Return to Forever. Ellefson named him as an influence. Chris also named him as an influence.
Deep Purple were a huge influence on many. Dave mentioned them as an influence. Deep Purple were also an influence on Sawn Drover. Kiko named Ritchie as an influence.
Led Zeppelin are among the most influential bands. Dave named Presence as his favorite album and named Jimmy page as an influence. Chris said their first album was one that first got him interested in guitar. Nick named Bonham as an influence. Al named Jimmy Page as an influence. Kiko named Jimmy as an early influence.
Mott The Hoople were a glam rock band that Dave named as an early influence.
Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens was a folk guitarist/singer. Dave named him as a vocal influence.
Alice Cooper is perhaps the original shock rocker. Ellefson named bassist Dennis Dunaway as an influence.
Yes are an important progressive rock band. Ellefson named Chris Squire as one of his heroes.
Black Sabbath are the fathers of heavy metal. Dave named them among the bands he listened to a lot in high school, Vol 4 in particular. Ellefson is a fan of Dio era Sabbath. Jeff also named them as an influence. Marty named Tony as an influence and Sabatage as an influential album. Shawn named them as an early influence. Kiko named Tony as an important early influence.
UFO were an influential hard rock band particularly the years Michael Schenker was on guitar. Dave named Phenomenon as on of the albums he listened to the most in high school.
Budgie were a heavy rock/metal band. Dave talks about being a fan of them.
Scorpions are one of the earliest metal bands to follow in the wake of Sabbath. Both Mustaine and Ellefson are fans. Marty named Uli John Roth.
Sweet were an influential hard glam rock band. Ellefson named them as an early influence.
Thin Lizzy were an influential hard rock band. Ellefson named Phil Lynott as one of his heros.
Styx were a progressive rock based arena rock band. Ellefson named them as an early influence.
Bachman–Turner Overdrive were a Canadian Hard Rock band. Ellefson named them as the first rock band that made him want to play base, specifically he named their albums Not Fragile.
Aerosmith were one of the biggest American hard rock bands. Ellefson named them as an early influence. Shawn named being a fan.
Judas Priest have earned the title of metal gods for a good reason. They are an influence on Dave and he named Sad Wings of Destiny as the album that defines heavy metal. Ellefson names them as a big influence and moved him into a heavy metal direction from his hard rock roots with their live album Unleashed in the East. Jeff also named them as an influence. Shawn named Priest as an influence.
Kiss are one of the biggest hard rock bands. Dave named Ace Frehley as one of his influences on lead. Ellefson said hearing them was a huge influence and motivation to pursue music. Marty said that Kiss Alive! was the album that made him pick up guitar, and named Ace as an influence.
Rush were a hugely influential progressive hard rock band. Ellefson named them as an influence, and Geddy Lee as one of his heroes. Nick named Neil Peart as one have his biggest influences. Shawn named Rush as is favorite rock band.
AC/DC are the quintessential hard rock band. Dave named Let There Be Rock as one of the albums he listened to the most in high school. He named Malcom Young as his number one influence for rhythm guitar. He named Angus as one of his big lead influences. Ellefson also named them as an influence.
Angel were a somewhat proggy hard rock band. Dave said they were a favorite growing up.
Ted Nugent was an influential hard rock guitarist. Dave named him as an influence on his lead playing. Ellefson also named him as an influence. Shawn named Ted Nugent as an early influence.
Motorhead are hard rock and heavy metal legends. Dave named them as an influence. Ellefson is also a fan.
Boston was a big hard rock / arena rock band. Ellefson named their self-titled album first album as an influence. He even learned to play drums along to the album (not that he plays drums in Megadeth)
Sex Pistols had a huge impact on the punk world being one of the earliest and most prominent. Ellefson named them as an influence and said he learned to play guitar to their debut album.
The Ramones were the fathers of punk rock. Ellefson named them as a big influence and specifically Rocket to Russia. Marty named Ramones as possibly his biggest influence, and named Johnny.
Diamond Head was one of the earlier New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands. Dave named them as an influence.
Cheap Trick were a hard rock / power pop band. Ellefson named them as a big influence.
Foreigner were a popular arena rock band. Ellefson named them as an early influence.
Gordon Johnson
Gordon Johnson is a jazz bassist who has played for the likes of Maynard Ferguson. Ellefson named him as an influence.
Van Halen was a hugely influential hard rock band. Ellefson named their first album as a big influence and eventually played in a role in him moving to LA to pursue music. Shawn Drover is also a fan. Kiko named Eddie as a big influence.
The Cars were a new wave band. Ellefson named them as an influence and said they got him into new wave.
Iron Maiden are one of the most influential metal bands. Dave named them as an influence and mentioned Killers in particular. Ellefson named Steve Harris as one of his heroes. Jeff also named them as an influence. Kiko’s website bio also names Iron Maiden as one of his influences.
Def Leppard were part of the new wave of British heavy metal turned hard rock / pop metal. Ellefson mentions their first album being inspirational given how young the guys Leppard were at the time.
Venom are the fathers of traditional black metal which combined Cronos’s growling vocals with many speed metal elements. Dave named them as an influence. Ellefson was also a fan.
After his time in Black Sabbath, Ozzy put together many influential musicians in his band. Ellefson named Bob Daisley as an influence in particular his arrangements on the first two Ozzy albums. Glen and Kiko named Randy Rhoads as an influence.
Mercyful Fate were a band with unique vocals and technical playing. Dave named them as an influence.
Aztec Camera were a pop / new wave band. Dave mentions Roddy Frame being a good pop song writer and has a copy of Love.
Crowded House were a pop / Rock band. Dave mentions liking their interesting choice of chords for them being jazzy.
Phase Two and Three
Phase two begins with the joining of Marty Friedman and Nick Menza who were one half of Megadeth through most of the 90’s and played on four albums. Phase three continues with Friedman on guitar, but Jimmy DiGrasso joining on drums for Risk. Marty would then be replaced with Al Pitrelli for The World Needs a Hero. Dave and Dave would continue with Dave being the primary writer, and Dave also contributing. (That wasn’t confusing was it?) Marty and Nick became involved in the writing process during their time starting on their second album with the band, Count Down to Extinction. Al contributed to writing for a single song on Risk. This phase of the band ended with the indefinite disbandment of Megadeth due to Dave losing the ability to play guitar for a time.
Buddy Rick
Buddy Rich was a big band jazz player and considered one of the greatest drummers by many. Nick, who’s dad at one time played in Buddy’s band, named him as a great and an influence.
Misora Hibari
Misora Hibari was a Japanese actress/singer. Marty is a huge fan and stated that he tires to emulate her vocal style on guitar.
Dubbed the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis. Marty names Elvis as an all time favorite and praises guitarist Scotty Moore.
The Beach Boys were surf rock known for their vocal harmonies. Marty named Brian Wilson’s playing with The Beach Boys for his chord structure and harmony.
Mahogany Rush was a hard blues rock band featuring Frank Marino. Marty named Frank as an influence and his playing allowed him to appreciate blues guitar.
Tommy Aldridge
Tommy Aldrich was a hard rock / heavy metal drummer playing with many bands including with Ozzy. Nick named him as an influence.
Queen are an influential rock band. Mary named their album The Game as “my favorite overall presentation of guitar, within the big picture of a band context”. Shawn is also a fan.
Pat Benatar was a popular hard rock / pop singer. Marty named Pat’s guitarist Neil Geraldo as possibly his biggest early influence.
Raven were a NWOBHM band. Marty names Raven with their album Wiped Out and an influential album for him.
Garbage an alt rock or maybe more rightfully an alt pop band. Marty named them as a later influence on him. Their first album released at a time Marty was still in Megadeth.
Phase Four and Five
Phase four of Megadeth begins with the recovery of Dave, once again able to play guitar. He released The System Has Failed with the temporary return of Chris Poland and all the instruments being filled by session musician. Following this the band would go through several lineup changes with no line up being consistent for more than two albums. Beginning with the following album United Abominations, brothers Glen and Shawn Drover joined on guitar and drums with James LoMenzo on bass. Glen would be replaced with Chris Broderick on the following two albums. Dave Ellefson would return for three more albums before being kick out. Steve Di Giorgio would step in as a session player following that. Kiko Loureiro would replace Chris Broderick for the following two albums starting with Dystopia. Chris Adler of Lamb of God would join for a single album which followed with Dirk Verbeuren on drums for the next.
As for writing credits, Dave would be the primary writer of everything. Glen would share credit with Dave on a single song. Shawn, Chris Broderick, and Ellefson would share credits on a few songs. Producer Johnny K would share multiple credits on Thirteen. Kiko would share a few credits on his first album with the band and the majority of his second album. Dirk also shared a single credit with Dave.
Baden Powell
Baden Powell was a Brazilian jazz/bosa nova guitarist. He was an influence on Kiko.
Eric Clapton is an extremely influential guitarist who played with some very important bands including Cream. Kiko named him as an early influence but didn’t name anything specific. Chris Poland named Cream as an early influence.
Jimi Hendrix is one of the most influential guitarists to every play. Kiko named him as an early influence. Chris Poland also named him as an early influence
Jeff Beck was an important guitarist to come out of the 60’s. Kiko named him as an influence but he was also an influence on Chris Poland and Al Pitrelli.
Allan Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth is an influential jazz guitarist. Kiko named him as an fluence. He was also an influence on Jeff Young.
Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny is a jazz guitarist first on the scene in the 70’s. He’s named in Kiko’s website bio.
Yngwie Malmsteen I a virtuoso neo-classical styled guitarist. Kiko named him as an influence. He’s also an influence on Chris Broderick.
Steve Vai is a virtuoso influential guitarist. Kiko named him as an influence.
Joe Satriani is an influential guitarist and guitar teacher. Kiko named him as an influence.
Greg Howe
Greg Howe is a rock / jazz shredder. Kiko named him as an influence. Glen also named him.
Dave Mustaine said growing up he was around British Invasion stuff and Motown which he say he thinks influenced some of the rhythm of Megadeth. Dave said that the jazzy swing of Megadeth comes from his Motown influences he had as a kid. After Malcom Young has Dave’s biggest rhythm guitar influence he said any of the new wave of British heavy metal guys would have been second such as players form Diamond Head, Judas Priest, or Iron Maiden.
Dave Ellefson played in jazz band as a kid.
Before joining Megadeth, Gar and Chris played together for years and had most recently played together in a jazz fusion band called the New Yorkers. Dave said in an interview that Gar’s jazz style had a big impact on the dynamics of their songs at the time. Chris said him and Gar went from playing Deep Purple to the fusion stuff and wanted to be like John Mclaughlin and Brand X. Chris named Gar’s influences as Billy Cobham and Tony Williams, and Lenny White. Chris said they were both rock guys first who were later influenced by fusion guys. Although Chris and Gar were not part of the song writing in Megadeth, their jazz style had an influence on the sound during their period. (their influences are not listed in the main list because their influence on the Megadeth sound was temporary and don’t reflect the core sound of Megadeth which is carried forward without them.)
Chris Poland said as a kid he learned a little blues and folk guitar from his mom before learning to play piano from his aunt. He then was influenced to play guitar again by his older cousin who was playing guitar who played blues and rock stuff. He said he first took a real interest in guitar after hearing the first Led Zeppelin and Cream albums. He also was a fan of Jethro Tull, Hendrix, and Mountain. He was then influenced by Jeff Beck with his albums Truth and Jeff Beck Group. He also named Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, and anything Jeff Beck and Stanley Clarke, Robin Trower, and Jaco Pastorius.
Jeff Young appearing for lead guitar on So Far, So Good.. So What!, named influences as Montrose, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Allan Holdsworth, Shawn Lane, Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, and Paco de Lucía.
I’m unsure who influenced Chuck Behler.
Marty past his time in Megadeth was later influenced by Aya Matsuura. He also said he has been influenced by non guitar music such as “Indian ragas, Chinese Erhu music, Japanese flute and koto music, Okinawan music, Turkish and Iranian violin music”
Besides the influences listed above, Nick’s Wikipedia lists several other jazz drummer besides Buddy Rich. However, at the time of writing this web archive is down which has the original source. For now I will leave those drummer of the list until can verify them to be correct.
Al named influences as: The Allman brothers (Duane Allman, Dickie Betts), Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Gary Moore, and The Beatles. He’s also a fan of Paul Rodgers/Bad Company, Elton John, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Tower of Power, AC/DC, Van Halen, Disney’s Fantasia
Glen’s Seymour Duncan profile lists his influences as Tony MacAlpine, Al Di Meola, Randy Rhoads, Greg Howe, George Lynch, Warren DeMartini, and David Gilmour.
Shawn named influences as: The big four (Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer), Exodus, Testament, Judas Priest, and named Rush as his favorite rock band. Some of the early stuff he was playing to was Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Ted Nugent He mentions listening to Deep Purple, Supertramp, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Steely Dan, Aerosmith, Van Halen, and Queen. He in particular named being a fan of Supertramp and Kansas. Shawn also plays guitar and named early influences as Pat Travers, Eddie Van Halen, and Ritchie Blackmore.
Chris Broderick named influences ranging from Dokken, Van Halen, Metallica, King Diamond, Pantera, Meshuggah, and Revocation. He named guitarists Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Greg Howe, Scott Mishoe, Andres Segovia, Pepe Romero, Al Di Meola, and flamenco guys like Paco De Lucia, Paco Peña and guys like that. He also named Chet Atkins and Danny Gatton, and more recenlty Johnny Hiland. He also named Bach’s counter point as an influence on approaching Megadeth harmonies. His Jackson profile also lists John Petrucci, Richardo Iznaola, Djanjo Reinhardt and Wes Montgomery.
Kiko said the same year he got is first electric guitar Queen, Iron Maiden, Ozzy, Scorpions, AC/DC, and Whitesnake all played Rock in Rio which got him much more seriously into guitar. He also names being a fan of jazz guys like Wayne Shorter, Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Charlie Parker. In a 2009 interview when asked what he was listening to he named a veriety of stuff ranging from “Paco de Lucia, Yamandu Costa, Marco Pereira, Marco Tardelli and also some jazz like John Coltrane or Wayne Shorter. Jeff Beck – always.
Some bands like Mesugahh, Tool, King Crimson.” His website bio also names Herbie Hancock and Brazilian musician Hermeto Pascoal
Dirk only shared credit on a single song. He lists influences as Dave Lombardo, Mick Harris, Sean Reinert, Steve Flynn, Mike Smith, Chad Smith, Pete Sandoval, Napalm Death, Godflesh, Beastie Boys, Björk. He also names albums which he listened to a lot as “Consuming Impulse (Pestilence), Speak English Or Die (S.O.D.), early Nuclear Assault and Metallica, Symphonies Of Sickness (Carcass), World Downfall (Terrorizer), Darkness Descends (Dark Angel) and pretty much everything Earache released in the late 80s/early 90s.”
Bands influenced by Megadeth!
As this project advances, bands will be added here… there are many!
German Metal
From grindcore to melodic death
German power, speed, and heavy metal
Groove Metal Masters
Folk infused black, melodic death and even power metal
Groove / Melodic Death
Symphonic Masters
From Metal-core roots
New Wave of Thrash
Heavy Metal
New Wave of Thrash
New Wave of Thrash
Sources:
https://www.loudersound.com/features/megadeths-dave-mustaine-the-10-albums-that-changed-my-life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6URPndg9cg&t=22s
https://eddietrunk.com/dave-mustaine-discusses-guitars-his-influences-and-playing-with-marty-friedman-again/
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/dave-mustaine-joe-rogan-experience/
https://player.fm/series/inheritance-tracks-1301256/dave-mustaine
https://loudwire.com/dave-mustaine-musicians-he-admires/
https://www.loudersound.com/features/megadeths-david-ellefson-the-10-records-that-changed-my-life
https://vwmusicrocks.com/2022/05/31/an-interview-with-david-ellefson-of-the-lucid-and-formerly-of-megadeth/
https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-megadeths-dave-ellefson-on-playing-metal-bass-509162
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtqnJXy_k5s
https://www.roppongirocks.com/archives/2111
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https://www.martyfriedman.com/info_archive_detail.php?id=6&det=71
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https://www.getreadytorock.com/rock_stars/tso.htm
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFNVGevtdjc&t=119s
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https://www.megadeth.com/pages/dirk-verbeuren
https://sickdrummermagazine.com/the-drummers/sick-drummer-hall-of-fame/dirk-verbeuren/
