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My Life With Deth: Discovering Meaning in a Life of Rock & Roll
One of the hardest headbangers of heavy metal shares his uplifting and empowering memoir about overcoming addiction and dedicating his life to God.
FAITH, HOPE, AND HEAVY METAL
In My Life with Deth , cofounder and bassist of Megadeth David Ellefson reveals the behind-the-scenes details of life in one of the world’s most popular heavy metal bands. If you’re looking for revelations, they’re here, including the drug habits that brought the band members to their knees. You’ll learn of David’s unsuccessful attempts at rehab and the period when he was strung out on methadone, cocaine, and heroin—all at the same time.
But My Life with Deth is far more than just another memoir of debauchery. Ellefson also shares the story of his faith journey, which began when he decided his only choice for survival was to get free from his addiction. In his recovery, he returned to his childhood roots in the Lutheran church and embraced his Christianity that continues to inform his life and work today.
In the pages of this book, you’ll find insightful comments from some of the biggest names in heavy metal, along with life lessons for every reader. Whether religious or not, you’ll be enthralled, informed, and inspired by this tell-all book on discovering meaning in a life of rock and roll.
FAITH, HOPE, AND HEAVY METAL
In My Life with Deth , cofounder and bassist of Megadeth David Ellefson reveals the behind-the-scenes details of life in one of the world’s most popular heavy metal bands. If you’re looking for revelations, they’re here, including the drug habits that brought the band members to their knees. You’ll learn of David’s unsuccessful attempts at rehab and the period when he was strung out on methadone, cocaine, and heroin—all at the same time.
But My Life with Deth is far more than just another memoir of debauchery. Ellefson also shares the story of his faith journey, which began when he decided his only choice for survival was to get free from his addiction. In his recovery, he returned to his childhood roots in the Lutheran church and embraced his Christianity that continues to inform his life and work today.
In the pages of this book, you’ll find insightful comments from some of the biggest names in heavy metal, along with life lessons for every reader. Whether religious or not, you’ll be enthralled, informed, and inspired by this tell-all book on discovering meaning in a life of rock and roll.
238 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 31, 2013
As a big fan of Megadeth, and Ellefson in particular, it was inevitable that several copies of this book would turn up in my life. I don't go out of my way to buy “celebrity” biographies because, as Ellefson points out at the beginning of his book, these biographies are a dime a dozen and all contain the same tragic story. Once you've read one, you've read 'em all.
Secondly, I hate giving negative reviews of books. I'm of the opinion that if someone's poured their heart and soul into something then they deserve some kind of recognition. However, there is no heart and soul in this book and nothing jumped out to make me feel anything toward the man I looked up during my own struggles with drugs.
Ellefson also starts his book with “At first I didn't want to write this book”. Nothing screams “MONEY GRAB!” more than “Well, I didn't want to do this, but...”
Unfortunately, it doesn't get much better and Ellefson's attitude to not wanting to write the story of his life shines through because the story of a whirlwind 30-year career in music is crammed into just 188 pages (The final pages are made up of a discography, an index, and a thanks section. Do biographies really need an index?!). Sadly, because of the length of this edition, I get the feeling that this isn't the last “biography” we'll be seeing from Ellefson.
Right from the start, you get the feeling that Ellefson didn't want to be doing this. The first few chapters just read like a bunch of notes. There's no substance to it and I don't feel myself connecting with him. And the amount of time a sentence is started with “I did”, or “I had”, or “I believe”, or just “I” in general shows for some very sloppy writing and editing. Tragically it also applies to the language used in the book. While I realise this was written by an American, the ghost writer (Joel McIver) is British and should have picked up on the use of words like “Mono”. Mono isn't an illness here in the UK, or the rest of the world for that matter. To put it into English that the rest of the world can understand, Mono is better known as glandular fever.
The same goes for the tech speak which litters the book. For those of us who aren't musicians, this is a book best read with Google open because you'll find yourself stopping and starting to trying and piece it together. On the flip side, he tells musicians to start putting bands together at eighteen while they have no responsibilities, which is yet another generalisation by someone who hasn't lived in the real world for the past 30+ years. You get the feeling that Ellefson has some real insecurities issues regarding his job. He's constantly going on about how the internet/radio/TV/people in general have ruined the music industry. Which only adds up to giving you the impression that he's scared of other bands coming along and finally finishing off Megadeth.
And don't get me started on the quotes which started every chapter. Each one (other than the Biblical passages) is listed as “Anonymous”. Yet a quick internet search would have thrown up who each one was credited to.
I don't need the lewd stories of a musician's life and thankfully Ellefson's story is fairly free of those. It's not because I'm a prude but because once you've read one rock star's life story you've read them all. Yes, you took a bunch of drugs. Yes, you had a lot of sex. So have millions of other people around the world. There's no need to pad out a biography with several hundred pages of exactly identical sex stories and I'm glad that Ellefson didn't go down that route. But, as with any junkie, their life is ruled by the drugs which may also account for why this book is so short. Not being able to remember the night before coupled with the same thing happening again and again (as they tend to do in drug addicts lives with the Get high/get withdrawals/get high/get withdrawals routine) make for a really boring story.
Throughout the book, Ellefson misses some brilliant chances to tell stories. Instead he gives them a fleeting, single sentence glance before going on to talk about who he was sleeping with at the time, what equipment he was using, or how many drugs he was taking. The lawsuits between himself and Mustaine is something a lot of fans want to know about. Yet it gets a paragraph. While I understand that Ellefson wants to move on, he also has to understand that those who've supported him all these years will want to know about such events. Fobbing them off with brief, and often inane, excuses is sloppy and lazy. Considering this is billed as his BIOGRAPHY, there's not a lot to go on, especially for long term fans of the band. I also know this is supposed to be some kind of inspirational “How Not To Do The Music Industry (Or, If You Do, How To Survive It)” book but sadly it's been done far better and far more in depth by other people.
Unfortunately, the entire tone of the book makes Ellefson seem ungrateful of his position in life. He moans about not being on the road, and then moans that he's not getting any sleep because of his kids. Hello?!?! Welcome to the real world where 99% of us have to get up at the crack of dawn to go to work so that we can feed our kids and keep roofs over our heads. A lot of us don't have the luxury of getting a lie in and starting our working day at 10am, 11am, or even mid-day. Rather than coming across as the “nice one” of Megadeth, Ellefson sadly appears to have picked up Mustaine's habit of whining about everything and anything. At no point did he come across as “nice” or the “diplomat” (as he likes to remind everyone at least once a chapter). The constant repetition of who he is (David Ellefson – band diplomat and second in charge), what he does (plays bass in Megadeth), and who he plays with (20+ people over the band's history to date, plus various side projects while he was away from Megadeth) weren't needed and seemed to only be there to try and pad out an already slender volume.
Ellefson also spends time talking about how people should be happy with their lot in life. I'm not sure that the homeless, starving, and destitute would agree with him and is another example of how he's not in touch with the real world.
This book can't decide if it's a biography, a technical manual for musicians, a coffee table book of nice comments from Ellefson's friends, a love letter to his wife and family, or an “inspirational” book (which is one of the genres it was marketed as, yet I'm having a lot of trouble finding it). Overall, it feels rushed, forced, and devoid of any real emotion. For anyone who's been a fan of the band for any length of time, there's no new information. Most of what's in the book can be found in various interviews and articles, all of which are freely available on You Tube and various music sites.
I know all of these issues may be minor but when coupled together it makes for an irritating and jarring reading experience.
David, I love and respect you and adore what you've done with your life. You've been a great inspiration during my own dark days of addiction and cleaning up. However, thanks to this, my respect of you has plummeted to an all time low. I'm sad that you did this, sad that you rushed it out, and sad that you so obviously didn't proof read it to see the tone of voice you came over with. Please don't write another of these books. If you want to write another, please go and update the absolutely excellent “Making Music Your Business” for the 21st century. And write the next one yourself as working with another writer hasn't done you any favours.
Secondly, I hate giving negative reviews of books. I'm of the opinion that if someone's poured their heart and soul into something then they deserve some kind of recognition. However, there is no heart and soul in this book and nothing jumped out to make me feel anything toward the man I looked up during my own struggles with drugs.
Ellefson also starts his book with “At first I didn't want to write this book”. Nothing screams “MONEY GRAB!” more than “Well, I didn't want to do this, but...”
Unfortunately, it doesn't get much better and Ellefson's attitude to not wanting to write the story of his life shines through because the story of a whirlwind 30-year career in music is crammed into just 188 pages (The final pages are made up of a discography, an index, and a thanks section. Do biographies really need an index?!). Sadly, because of the length of this edition, I get the feeling that this isn't the last “biography” we'll be seeing from Ellefson.
Right from the start, you get the feeling that Ellefson didn't want to be doing this. The first few chapters just read like a bunch of notes. There's no substance to it and I don't feel myself connecting with him. And the amount of time a sentence is started with “I did”, or “I had”, or “I believe”, or just “I” in general shows for some very sloppy writing and editing. Tragically it also applies to the language used in the book. While I realise this was written by an American, the ghost writer (Joel McIver) is British and should have picked up on the use of words like “Mono”. Mono isn't an illness here in the UK, or the rest of the world for that matter. To put it into English that the rest of the world can understand, Mono is better known as glandular fever.
The same goes for the tech speak which litters the book. For those of us who aren't musicians, this is a book best read with Google open because you'll find yourself stopping and starting to trying and piece it together. On the flip side, he tells musicians to start putting bands together at eighteen while they have no responsibilities, which is yet another generalisation by someone who hasn't lived in the real world for the past 30+ years. You get the feeling that Ellefson has some real insecurities issues regarding his job. He's constantly going on about how the internet/radio/TV/people in general have ruined the music industry. Which only adds up to giving you the impression that he's scared of other bands coming along and finally finishing off Megadeth.
And don't get me started on the quotes which started every chapter. Each one (other than the Biblical passages) is listed as “Anonymous”. Yet a quick internet search would have thrown up who each one was credited to.
I don't need the lewd stories of a musician's life and thankfully Ellefson's story is fairly free of those. It's not because I'm a prude but because once you've read one rock star's life story you've read them all. Yes, you took a bunch of drugs. Yes, you had a lot of sex. So have millions of other people around the world. There's no need to pad out a biography with several hundred pages of exactly identical sex stories and I'm glad that Ellefson didn't go down that route. But, as with any junkie, their life is ruled by the drugs which may also account for why this book is so short. Not being able to remember the night before coupled with the same thing happening again and again (as they tend to do in drug addicts lives with the Get high/get withdrawals/get high/get withdrawals routine) make for a really boring story.
Throughout the book, Ellefson misses some brilliant chances to tell stories. Instead he gives them a fleeting, single sentence glance before going on to talk about who he was sleeping with at the time, what equipment he was using, or how many drugs he was taking. The lawsuits between himself and Mustaine is something a lot of fans want to know about. Yet it gets a paragraph. While I understand that Ellefson wants to move on, he also has to understand that those who've supported him all these years will want to know about such events. Fobbing them off with brief, and often inane, excuses is sloppy and lazy. Considering this is billed as his BIOGRAPHY, there's not a lot to go on, especially for long term fans of the band. I also know this is supposed to be some kind of inspirational “How Not To Do The Music Industry (Or, If You Do, How To Survive It)” book but sadly it's been done far better and far more in depth by other people.
Unfortunately, the entire tone of the book makes Ellefson seem ungrateful of his position in life. He moans about not being on the road, and then moans that he's not getting any sleep because of his kids. Hello?!?! Welcome to the real world where 99% of us have to get up at the crack of dawn to go to work so that we can feed our kids and keep roofs over our heads. A lot of us don't have the luxury of getting a lie in and starting our working day at 10am, 11am, or even mid-day. Rather than coming across as the “nice one” of Megadeth, Ellefson sadly appears to have picked up Mustaine's habit of whining about everything and anything. At no point did he come across as “nice” or the “diplomat” (as he likes to remind everyone at least once a chapter). The constant repetition of who he is (David Ellefson – band diplomat and second in charge), what he does (plays bass in Megadeth), and who he plays with (20+ people over the band's history to date, plus various side projects while he was away from Megadeth) weren't needed and seemed to only be there to try and pad out an already slender volume.
Ellefson also spends time talking about how people should be happy with their lot in life. I'm not sure that the homeless, starving, and destitute would agree with him and is another example of how he's not in touch with the real world.
This book can't decide if it's a biography, a technical manual for musicians, a coffee table book of nice comments from Ellefson's friends, a love letter to his wife and family, or an “inspirational” book (which is one of the genres it was marketed as, yet I'm having a lot of trouble finding it). Overall, it feels rushed, forced, and devoid of any real emotion. For anyone who's been a fan of the band for any length of time, there's no new information. Most of what's in the book can be found in various interviews and articles, all of which are freely available on You Tube and various music sites.
I know all of these issues may be minor but when coupled together it makes for an irritating and jarring reading experience.
David, I love and respect you and adore what you've done with your life. You've been a great inspiration during my own dark days of addiction and cleaning up. However, thanks to this, my respect of you has plummeted to an all time low. I'm sad that you did this, sad that you rushed it out, and sad that you so obviously didn't proof read it to see the tone of voice you came over with. Please don't write another of these books. If you want to write another, please go and update the absolutely excellent “Making Music Your Business” for the 21st century. And write the next one yourself as working with another writer hasn't done you any favours.
January 29, 2014
Megasigh...
I was SO excited to read this book. I've loved Megadeth for years and Dave Ellefson was always my favorite. I read Dave Mustaine's biography, and I couldn't wait to see how Ellefson's side of the story matched up with that red-headed blowhard.
Yeah, too bad Ellefson doesn't really tell us. His book reads like a list of accomplishments with footnotes of important events in his life.
Admittedly,thirty five years in the music business makes for impressive name-dropping, but I think that getting various colleagues to add anecdotes about what a super-nice guy he is was unnecessary.
I would have preferred to read about how they got their first record contract, or the first impressions he had of his wife. Or maybe how it felt to become a father for the first time? He mentioned where he was when the jets hit the twin towers, but didn't go into detail. Also missing where his reactions to the death of Dimebag Daryl and Gar Samuelson. He never even mentioned either event, which I thought odd, because he knew both of them.
The only place he seemed to show any emotion at all was in the parts about his religion...which also reads like the snorefest it sounds like. I'm happy he found God and that he's spiritually fulfilled, but I don't think it deserved it's own chapter. Towards the end, the religious aspects became more pronounced and the book became harder to finish. Sorry, I just didn't care.
Dear Dave Ellefson, I'm still a huge fan. But until you can put out a book with more personality than tepid water, I won't be reading another.
I was SO excited to read this book. I've loved Megadeth for years and Dave Ellefson was always my favorite. I read Dave Mustaine's biography, and I couldn't wait to see how Ellefson's side of the story matched up with that red-headed blowhard.
Yeah, too bad Ellefson doesn't really tell us. His book reads like a list of accomplishments with footnotes of important events in his life.
Admittedly,thirty five years in the music business makes for impressive name-dropping, but I think that getting various colleagues to add anecdotes about what a super-nice guy he is was unnecessary.
I would have preferred to read about how they got their first record contract, or the first impressions he had of his wife. Or maybe how it felt to become a father for the first time? He mentioned where he was when the jets hit the twin towers, but didn't go into detail. Also missing where his reactions to the death of Dimebag Daryl and Gar Samuelson. He never even mentioned either event, which I thought odd, because he knew both of them.
The only place he seemed to show any emotion at all was in the parts about his religion...which also reads like the snorefest it sounds like. I'm happy he found God and that he's spiritually fulfilled, but I don't think it deserved it's own chapter. Towards the end, the religious aspects became more pronounced and the book became harder to finish. Sorry, I just didn't care.
Dear Dave Ellefson, I'm still a huge fan. But until you can put out a book with more personality than tepid water, I won't be reading another.
June 28, 2016
I felt calmer and slightly spiritually improved after reading this book. I really wasn’t expecting that. It’s not your typical rock/metal autobiography, it’s really thoughtful but doesn’t skimp on the salacious details from the early Megadeth days. David has done the sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll and he’s also worked out what he wants from life. He comes across as full of quiet wisdom. I wonder how much he had the peacemaker role thrust upon him, working with Dave Mustaine? Ellefson has done as much diplomacy as Ban Ki-moon in his career, it’s a recurring theme in the book. I liked this so much I bought Ellefson’s book about music management straight after finishing it. There are quotes from tons of rock and metal mates of Ellefson’s and some very cute photos of young David. It’s an interesting life to read about even if you aren’t a big Megadeth fan.
November 23, 2013
Everyone featured in this biography agrees that the author is a very good guy. And the reader is glad the author has chased his dragons, and found true meaning in God. However, for a rockstar biography the book is quite boring.
January 5, 2017
Great book. I find it amazing that he had multiple albums under his belt with one of the largest bands in the world, Megadeth, had no money, owed 80 grand in back taxes and was interviewing with Peavey Electronics for an actual 9 to 5 job. I really enjoyed listening about his walk with God and the fact that Dave Mustaine of Megadeth also walks with God. I find it very interesting that most, if not all of my childhood metal icons openly talk about how faith has helped them through out their lives. I also really enjoyed learning that Dave has done so well for himself by branching out and playing with several bands, starting his own record label along with his recent creation, a gourmet coffee business.
I think everyone should read this book. I read pretty much any book regarding the life a Bassist and I must say I really enjoyed this one alot.
Dave is very involved with his church and many church projects. This book speaks a lot about faith, churches and includes many passages from the bible. I wanted to comment on this as I know some may take it as if he is trying to shove his faith down your throat. But, I did not take it that way. I really enjoyed it and felt that we was simply sharing how he has served his faith and how his faith has served him over the years.
I hope you enjoy the book. I really did.
I think everyone should read this book. I read pretty much any book regarding the life a Bassist and I must say I really enjoyed this one alot.
Dave is very involved with his church and many church projects. This book speaks a lot about faith, churches and includes many passages from the bible. I wanted to comment on this as I know some may take it as if he is trying to shove his faith down your throat. But, I did not take it that way. I really enjoyed it and felt that we was simply sharing how he has served his faith and how his faith has served him over the years.
I hope you enjoy the book. I really did.
January 13, 2021
What is it with Americans and religion? A perfectly good book about one of my favourite bands ruined as it morphs into a Bible-thumping tome of a frankly embarrassing nature. I expected more.
It's not particularly revealing and lacks emotion. It is also somewhat repetitive with similar points and issues being raised and re-raised throughout. Not fantastically written (which is a surprise as I enjoy most of the actual author's work), so I can only presume that he was quite bored or otherwise distracted when reviewing his notes. Or there is some shoddy editing.
If you are a fan of Megadeth and can pick it up cheap, you might as well give it a read. If you are someone that seeks autobiographies of famous folk as they are generally quite interesting, I'd steer clear of this one.
It's not particularly revealing and lacks emotion. It is also somewhat repetitive with similar points and issues being raised and re-raised throughout. Not fantastically written (which is a surprise as I enjoy most of the actual author's work), so I can only presume that he was quite bored or otherwise distracted when reviewing his notes. Or there is some shoddy editing.
If you are a fan of Megadeth and can pick it up cheap, you might as well give it a read. If you are someone that seeks autobiographies of famous folk as they are generally quite interesting, I'd steer clear of this one.
March 18, 2026
Cool read. Was hesitant for two reasons. One was that I wasn’t up for a none stop bitch session and airing of grievances about Dave Mustaine. And two knew there would be a lot of the book that would cover his journey into religion. Not too much Dave bashing (actually was pretty damned kind) and the religious piece fairly necessary to describe at least a part of his life and some decent wisdom from it. I’m no huge fan of Mustaine, so that’s not my issue, just heard it mostly and it’s tired. So this fairly balanced. A little more detail on his church business but it’s fine. I did get some good wisdom and insight out of it.
February 23, 2015
Megadeth was the band that got me into metal; David Ellefson was the musician that made me want to pick up a bass. I guess I can thank him for the path he helped set me on: a path of financial destitution and struggle. But that's okay because I'm quite happy--relatively speaking--with where I'm at.
I became a Megadeth fan after hearing "In My Darkest Hour" on the soundtrack to the Decline of the Western Civilization II soundtrack. It was my favorite song at the time. I went out and picked up "Peace Sells..." and was instantly hooked. I was a fan ever since.
I have to say that I enjoyed Ellefson's book a bit more than Mustaine's. Both books deal with how Megadeth was formed, the members' drug addictions, the band's return to form, etc. etc. But I found it very interesting when seen through the eyes of the bass player, Ellefson.
This was one of those books that I found hard to put down. I kept wanting to come back to read about what was going on during the writing and recording phase of some of my favorite albums. I wanted to hear about the shenanigans on tour. I wanted to read more about Dave Mustaine from this different perspective. I wanted to know about all the member changes and who left and why.
Well, those details were in there but, for the most part, things were kind of glossed over. That whole middle section where the band started to make the transition from thrash metal icons to 90s melodic metal band was quickly ran through. It was, however, interesting to read Ellefson's take on the band's change of direction.
The book had quite a it of God stuff in it, too. A lot. A whole lot. Like, an uncomfortable amount at times. It got to the point where I was thinking, "dammit, more of this stuff again? We get it? Prayer helped you through."
Those were really my only two peeves about the whole book: lots of God talk and glossed over information I would've loved to read more about.
The book is relatively short with a little over 200 pages--it's filled out with a section commenting on all the albums he played on and a lengthy index. But overall it was a very interesting yarn and fun to read.
I became a Megadeth fan after hearing "In My Darkest Hour" on the soundtrack to the Decline of the Western Civilization II soundtrack. It was my favorite song at the time. I went out and picked up "Peace Sells..." and was instantly hooked. I was a fan ever since.
I have to say that I enjoyed Ellefson's book a bit more than Mustaine's. Both books deal with how Megadeth was formed, the members' drug addictions, the band's return to form, etc. etc. But I found it very interesting when seen through the eyes of the bass player, Ellefson.
This was one of those books that I found hard to put down. I kept wanting to come back to read about what was going on during the writing and recording phase of some of my favorite albums. I wanted to hear about the shenanigans on tour. I wanted to read more about Dave Mustaine from this different perspective. I wanted to know about all the member changes and who left and why.
Well, those details were in there but, for the most part, things were kind of glossed over. That whole middle section where the band started to make the transition from thrash metal icons to 90s melodic metal band was quickly ran through. It was, however, interesting to read Ellefson's take on the band's change of direction.
The book had quite a it of God stuff in it, too. A lot. A whole lot. Like, an uncomfortable amount at times. It got to the point where I was thinking, "dammit, more of this stuff again? We get it? Prayer helped you through."
Those were really my only two peeves about the whole book: lots of God talk and glossed over information I would've loved to read more about.
The book is relatively short with a little over 200 pages--it's filled out with a section commenting on all the albums he played on and a lengthy index. But overall it was a very interesting yarn and fun to read.
June 9, 2019
I can't believe how disappointed I was with the last 1/2 or more of this audiobook.
His life story was really interesting up until every other sentence was about God or was about the other GOD (Good Orderly Direction). It felt like days and days of someone trying to pound religion into my head when in reality it was only 3 to 4 hours of talk time played back at 1.5x (so 2 to 3 actual hrs).
There was some real wisdom in this work for up and coming artists though, words and warning that should be heeded.
Try to achieve your dream between the ages of 19 and 21 (young enough that you can recover from mistakes, young enough to have the energy to pursue your dream, too young to NOT be taken advantage of by others but hopefully you will wise up and recover).
His dad told him that "sex" is like shaving, once you start you can't stop.
The easiest way to quit drugs is to never start.
Since he was someone that lived the life, when he said "all drugs ARE gateway drugs"... those words felt like they carried a lot weight and truth with them.
I would really like an abridged version of the book that is just the profoundly true statements from someone that was there and lived it.
His life story was really interesting up until every other sentence was about God or was about the other GOD (Good Orderly Direction). It felt like days and days of someone trying to pound religion into my head when in reality it was only 3 to 4 hours of talk time played back at 1.5x (so 2 to 3 actual hrs).
There was some real wisdom in this work for up and coming artists though, words and warning that should be heeded.
Try to achieve your dream between the ages of 19 and 21 (young enough that you can recover from mistakes, young enough to have the energy to pursue your dream, too young to NOT be taken advantage of by others but hopefully you will wise up and recover).
His dad told him that "sex" is like shaving, once you start you can't stop.
The easiest way to quit drugs is to never start.
Since he was someone that lived the life, when he said "all drugs ARE gateway drugs"... those words felt like they carried a lot weight and truth with them.
I would really like an abridged version of the book that is just the profoundly true statements from someone that was there and lived it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2020
Farming; alcohol; drugs; god; god; god! A ‘little’ bit of music in there too.
I was a listener more than an avid fan of Megadeth back in the 80s/90s but love a good music biog, and being a bassist, David is well up there with the greats of the genre but this book just didn’t cut it.
The quotations at the start of every chapter got a bit annoying and those too went all biblical too. 🙄
Dave’s foreword states he didn’t want to write this book and it kind of shows in the lack of effort put into it.
David has a great audiobook voice and the narration was pleasant but I felt this story lacked detail and substance. Like the book Mustaine, Dave (Sr.)’s autobiography, about half way in it goes all ‘God squad’ and gets very boring.
Worth a read (or listen if you get the audiobook like I did) but not great.
I was a listener more than an avid fan of Megadeth back in the 80s/90s but love a good music biog, and being a bassist, David is well up there with the greats of the genre but this book just didn’t cut it.
The quotations at the start of every chapter got a bit annoying and those too went all biblical too. 🙄
Dave’s foreword states he didn’t want to write this book and it kind of shows in the lack of effort put into it.
David has a great audiobook voice and the narration was pleasant but I felt this story lacked detail and substance. Like the book Mustaine, Dave (Sr.)’s autobiography, about half way in it goes all ‘God squad’ and gets very boring.
Worth a read (or listen if you get the audiobook like I did) but not great.
November 5, 2023
The book is about His life - He talks about his childhood, batteling addiction and his time in megadeth and after and an awful lot about god. I feel Like He described all the important bits very vaguely and Just gets into passionate detail when it's about His Religion. I didn't expect this book to be this religious, so If you're not into that, Like me, I really can't recommend this book, cause for me there wasn't enought Detail about His Life to make Up for it.
January 21, 2014
These rock star memoirs are starting to sound the same but this was even more boring. Author sounds like a good guy but the book is just boring
July 2, 2014
Autobiography by numbers. Boring.
January 28, 2015
The thrash metal music scene of the 1980's & 90's provides the backdrop for the most interesting sections of Megadeth bassist David Ellefson's deeply personal autobiography. Megadeth (along with Slayer and early Metallica) was the brainchild of the daring lead singer/ guitarist Dave Mustaine. After being thrown out of Metallica mid-tour for being a violent drunk, the determined Mustaine returned to Los Angeles planning his return to the metal music scene. He soon ran into a skinny, self-described "Lutheran farm boy from Minnesota"; David Ellefson. The young rock bassist had followed his passion for stardom all the way from his family farm in Minnesota to the streets of Los Angeles, arriving in 1983. The meeting of Ellefson & Mustaine is the stuff of heavy metal legend. The 'Two Daves' (as they became know amongst fans) formed Megadeth, a band that despite many lineup changes is considered one of the greatest thrash metal bands of all time.
Dave Mustaine is the undisputed leader of this band, the primary songwriter and by all accounts, a difficult person to collaborate with. David Ellefson became a diplomat of sorts, dealing with the many lineup changes and smoothing over Dave's rough edges much like a translator facilitates communication between negotiating parties.
Upon his arrival, an 18 year old Ellefson was quick to experiment with drugs and soon became a heroin and cocaine addict, he was far away from home and had ignored his parents' heartfelt warnings. Ellefson was a functioning addict however and the strength of Megadeth's demos had landed them a record contract with Combat Records in 1984. Mustaine also had tremendous drug & alcohol issues but, like Ellefson, was able to function, construct songs, perform live and tour. Over the next six years, Megadeth would release three certified gold records and slowly build their fan base. Ellefson was living his dream, but the combined costs of touring and his drug habit were preventing him from accumulating any real money. Despite the drug fog and financial issues, Ellefson is firm in his description of the band's focus on success, the reader is left with the impression that this was never a loose, jam band that stumbled into success.
Ellefson has plenty of stories to tell, he was ground zero in Hollywood during the hard rock scene's most notorious times (i.e. Nikki Sixx' 1988 heroin overdose.) and was friends with Slash & Steven Adler of the band Guns N' Roses before their multi-platinum success.
After a dope-sick Monsters Of Rock performance in England, Ellefson confronted his demons and finally kicked drugs and alcohol in 1990. He was 25 years old.
1990 also saw perhaps the greatest Megadeth lineup ever formed: Exotic scale shredder Marty Friedman on lead guitar and jazz-inspired Nick Menza on drums. This lineup recorded arguably Megadeth's best record: 'Rust In Peace'. At this point the band was clean from drugs and a well-honed machine armed with four albums worth of cutting-edge songs and world tours ahead of them. Both 'Daves' had also experienced spiritual awakenings, Ellefson reconnected with his Lutheran faith and quickly developed a passion for helping other struggling drug addicts. After slowly paying off an $80,000 tax bill, Ellefson was finally beginning to make real money from publishing rights, ticket sales & merchandise. Rust In Peace reached No. 23 on the Billboard chart, MTV began playing some of the band's videos and Megadeth was on the brink of mainstream success. That success (and arguably the band's peak) occurred with the next album and subsequent world tour. Countdown To Extinction (1992) debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart and was nominated for a Grammy.
Throughout the book, Ellefson is cautious to protect his creative partner Dave Mustaine. Dave's alcohol and drug problems weren't over, and it's well-known that this is the reason that Megadeth's 1993 Japanese tour was canceled. Megadeth also lost the Grammy award that year to Nine Inch Nails and was subsequently kicked off of two other important North American tours. This painful one-two punch was especially disappointing for Marty Friedman who was never a drug addict or alcoholic. In hindsight, the setbacks in 1993 were the early signs of Megadeth's next lineup change.
Two more successful albums, Youthanasia (1994) and Cryptic Writings (1997) followed. In 1994, Ellefson had financial & spiritual stability and married his longtime girlfriend Julie Foley. The two bought a home in Scottsdale, Arizona where they still reside today. Also around this time, Metallica made dramatic changes to the band's sound and appearance in a successful attempt to blend into mainstream music. Megadeth had changed management after the Youthanasia album and this new team pushed Mustaine to follow Metallica's lead with their next album 'Risk'. This was a huge disappointment for Megadeth fans, leading to poor reception for the album. Despite this, Marty Friedman wasn't prepared to return to the band's previous thrash sound that had garnered so much success and he abruptly left the band in 2000. The World Needs A Hero (2001) was a return to thrash, but without Friedman on lead guitar many fans were disappointed. In 2002, Mustaine suffered severe nerve damage in his left arm leaving him unable to play guitar. Fearing he would never play again,(he later recovered completely) Mustaine disbanded Megadeth and Ellefson took a job with music equipment company Peavey. In the book, Ellefson describes this time out of the band as an important time to focus on his faith and raising his two children. He also mananged to produce and record bass guitar on several albums for artists like Max Cavilera’s Soulfly and many others. He managed to play a few tour dates with these artists as well as forming a christian group called MEGA Live as well as a group dubbed F5 thus proving that his passion for music was never diminished by the disappointments and setbacks throughout his career.
The book can tend to get very repetitive with regard to Ellefson’s faith and borderline preachy at times, yet the reader will sense that these are the genuine feelings of the artist without pretense or artifice. Included are many testimonials from fellow musicians attesting to Ellefson’s commitment to helping others as a form of service and his general positive influence on people around him.
After lawsuits and meetings, aborted recording sessions and arguments, the two Daves reconnected in 2010 when Megadeth embarked on a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of Rust In Peace. Ellefson was back in the band recording new albums and continues to tour the world with Megadeth today.
Dave Mustaine is the undisputed leader of this band, the primary songwriter and by all accounts, a difficult person to collaborate with. David Ellefson became a diplomat of sorts, dealing with the many lineup changes and smoothing over Dave's rough edges much like a translator facilitates communication between negotiating parties.
Upon his arrival, an 18 year old Ellefson was quick to experiment with drugs and soon became a heroin and cocaine addict, he was far away from home and had ignored his parents' heartfelt warnings. Ellefson was a functioning addict however and the strength of Megadeth's demos had landed them a record contract with Combat Records in 1984. Mustaine also had tremendous drug & alcohol issues but, like Ellefson, was able to function, construct songs, perform live and tour. Over the next six years, Megadeth would release three certified gold records and slowly build their fan base. Ellefson was living his dream, but the combined costs of touring and his drug habit were preventing him from accumulating any real money. Despite the drug fog and financial issues, Ellefson is firm in his description of the band's focus on success, the reader is left with the impression that this was never a loose, jam band that stumbled into success.
Ellefson has plenty of stories to tell, he was ground zero in Hollywood during the hard rock scene's most notorious times (i.e. Nikki Sixx' 1988 heroin overdose.) and was friends with Slash & Steven Adler of the band Guns N' Roses before their multi-platinum success.
After a dope-sick Monsters Of Rock performance in England, Ellefson confronted his demons and finally kicked drugs and alcohol in 1990. He was 25 years old.
1990 also saw perhaps the greatest Megadeth lineup ever formed: Exotic scale shredder Marty Friedman on lead guitar and jazz-inspired Nick Menza on drums. This lineup recorded arguably Megadeth's best record: 'Rust In Peace'. At this point the band was clean from drugs and a well-honed machine armed with four albums worth of cutting-edge songs and world tours ahead of them. Both 'Daves' had also experienced spiritual awakenings, Ellefson reconnected with his Lutheran faith and quickly developed a passion for helping other struggling drug addicts. After slowly paying off an $80,000 tax bill, Ellefson was finally beginning to make real money from publishing rights, ticket sales & merchandise. Rust In Peace reached No. 23 on the Billboard chart, MTV began playing some of the band's videos and Megadeth was on the brink of mainstream success. That success (and arguably the band's peak) occurred with the next album and subsequent world tour. Countdown To Extinction (1992) debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart and was nominated for a Grammy.
Throughout the book, Ellefson is cautious to protect his creative partner Dave Mustaine. Dave's alcohol and drug problems weren't over, and it's well-known that this is the reason that Megadeth's 1993 Japanese tour was canceled. Megadeth also lost the Grammy award that year to Nine Inch Nails and was subsequently kicked off of two other important North American tours. This painful one-two punch was especially disappointing for Marty Friedman who was never a drug addict or alcoholic. In hindsight, the setbacks in 1993 were the early signs of Megadeth's next lineup change.
Two more successful albums, Youthanasia (1994) and Cryptic Writings (1997) followed. In 1994, Ellefson had financial & spiritual stability and married his longtime girlfriend Julie Foley. The two bought a home in Scottsdale, Arizona where they still reside today. Also around this time, Metallica made dramatic changes to the band's sound and appearance in a successful attempt to blend into mainstream music. Megadeth had changed management after the Youthanasia album and this new team pushed Mustaine to follow Metallica's lead with their next album 'Risk'. This was a huge disappointment for Megadeth fans, leading to poor reception for the album. Despite this, Marty Friedman wasn't prepared to return to the band's previous thrash sound that had garnered so much success and he abruptly left the band in 2000. The World Needs A Hero (2001) was a return to thrash, but without Friedman on lead guitar many fans were disappointed. In 2002, Mustaine suffered severe nerve damage in his left arm leaving him unable to play guitar. Fearing he would never play again,(he later recovered completely) Mustaine disbanded Megadeth and Ellefson took a job with music equipment company Peavey. In the book, Ellefson describes this time out of the band as an important time to focus on his faith and raising his two children. He also mananged to produce and record bass guitar on several albums for artists like Max Cavilera’s Soulfly and many others. He managed to play a few tour dates with these artists as well as forming a christian group called MEGA Live as well as a group dubbed F5 thus proving that his passion for music was never diminished by the disappointments and setbacks throughout his career.
The book can tend to get very repetitive with regard to Ellefson’s faith and borderline preachy at times, yet the reader will sense that these are the genuine feelings of the artist without pretense or artifice. Included are many testimonials from fellow musicians attesting to Ellefson’s commitment to helping others as a form of service and his general positive influence on people around him.
After lawsuits and meetings, aborted recording sessions and arguments, the two Daves reconnected in 2010 when Megadeth embarked on a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of Rust In Peace. Ellefson was back in the band recording new albums and continues to tour the world with Megadeth today.
February 20, 2019
This is a pretty good memoir from Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, told in a matter-of-fact style but void of any real flair or grit, which is what I like to read and discover in these types of stories. Ellefson narrates the events as if he's ticking off the beats, and it comes across as a rudimentary summary of his life. There's nothing wrong with that. It seems like that was his intention. But with this kind of style it limits its availability to only hardcore Megadeth fans, which is to say the casual rock star bio reader won't find much to enjoy here. Dave Mustaine's book is the Megadeth account you want to read, filled to the brim with detail-oriented stories and lurid memoirs, the real down and dirty of the band. Still, this makes a decent enough companion piece in its own way. It's nice that Ellefson doesn't trash anything or anyone, and takes responsibility for his own actions. This book focuses more on his desire for recovery and sober living than it does as a Megadeth-rich tome of road anecdotes. I'd recommend it to Megadeth fans, but Mustaine's much superior book is definitely the prerequisite.
April 30, 2021
I've enjoyed watching Ellefson speak in interviews and videos, and am a huge Megadeth fan, and the latter is why I am fairly disappointed. The rough sketch that is the band's history in this book is nowhere near enough for a fan who wants to understand the many changes the band endured in their history. Ellefson's 'nice guy' persona prevents him from being even remotely critical of *anyone*, even when there was plenty of room for it.
Instead, Ellefson turns the lens of introspection on himself and we gat way too much proselytizing about his religious transformation. I get that he sees himself as conveying a message, but that message should not be delivered at the expense of the story that fans actually want to read about.
The book is also written at a very low reading level, and there are some woefully inept editing issues - such as a paragraph that leaves out the timing of his child's birth but immediately goes into discussing its impact on his musical life.
Ellefson is clearly a bright and passionate guy, but the book loses its focus multiple times throughout.
Instead, Ellefson turns the lens of introspection on himself and we gat way too much proselytizing about his religious transformation. I get that he sees himself as conveying a message, but that message should not be delivered at the expense of the story that fans actually want to read about.
The book is also written at a very low reading level, and there are some woefully inept editing issues - such as a paragraph that leaves out the timing of his child's birth but immediately goes into discussing its impact on his musical life.
Ellefson is clearly a bright and passionate guy, but the book loses its focus multiple times throughout.
February 1, 2020
I was hesitant about picking this up, based on a lot of the reviews on this site. I am, however, a huge fan of David Ellefson and his bass playing, and so I decided to pick this up anyway and make my own impression. Honestly? I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
I'm not religious in the slightest (quite the opposite), and so yes the sections on religion did go over my head a little bit. I do however appreciate that religion has played a large (and very healthy) role in Ellefson's life, and so I wasn't bothered by their inclusion in the slightest.
The rest of the book was very enjoyable and easy to digest, and it was pleasant to hear about Megadeth from Ellefson's perspective. Sure, it's not the most in-depth music autobiographies, but this doesn't detract from the experience; instead, the book serves as a fun, informative and casual read.
I'm not religious in the slightest (quite the opposite), and so yes the sections on religion did go over my head a little bit. I do however appreciate that religion has played a large (and very healthy) role in Ellefson's life, and so I wasn't bothered by their inclusion in the slightest.
The rest of the book was very enjoyable and easy to digest, and it was pleasant to hear about Megadeth from Ellefson's perspective. Sure, it's not the most in-depth music autobiographies, but this doesn't detract from the experience; instead, the book serves as a fun, informative and casual read.
April 20, 2022
Music + Drugs + Religion = this book.
The book feels a little disjointed to me, but I like Ellefson as a person. I'm not one for religion, and he does preach quite a bit as the book progresses. He doesn't mean it to be preachy, and perhaps it isn't. I guess if religion isn't your thing, hearing someone go on and on and on about their religion, it feels like preaching when really it's just the person discussing it...a lot. I didn't realize just how God-loving he was. Whatever gets you through, I guess. I would have liked to have heard more details about recording albums and tours and such, but it was cool to get a bit of history on him, like his childhood in Minnesota and being raised on a farm.
The book feels a little disjointed to me, but I like Ellefson as a person. I'm not one for religion, and he does preach quite a bit as the book progresses. He doesn't mean it to be preachy, and perhaps it isn't. I guess if religion isn't your thing, hearing someone go on and on and on about their religion, it feels like preaching when really it's just the person discussing it...a lot. I didn't realize just how God-loving he was. Whatever gets you through, I guess. I would have liked to have heard more details about recording albums and tours and such, but it was cool to get a bit of history on him, like his childhood in Minnesota and being raised on a farm.
July 10, 2018
(July 2018) - An interesting attempt to weave the lessons learned from rehab and religion into the chapters of each book. That attempt fell a little flat - although I must admit it was not preachy. As a business person I found the business talk about each album/tour to be new info that other rock bio's did not include. Otherwise, not a lot of "tell all" stuff in here. Enjoyed the insert pieces fro other musicians and friends of the author sprinkled throughout. I was and still am a Megadeth fan. Glad they are still producing new music regularly and he has maintained the sober lifestyle. Peace.
June 6, 2023
When I first started listening I thought “ah geez, what did I get myself into?” I thought it was going to be a preachy god book.
But, I soldiered on because I love memoirs, Megadeth, and David’s basslines.
A great life history and personal journey.
The “god thing” never turned me off because he states it all in a way very carefully to include everyone.
I’ve never tried Peavey stuff, but now I just might since he’s trusts them.
I like the “good orderly direction” mentality, you don’t need a christian faith to follow that logic.
I’d even want to have a coffee at Starbucks, chat with him next time I’m visiting friends in Mesa.
Great book from a grounded guy.
But, I soldiered on because I love memoirs, Megadeth, and David’s basslines.
A great life history and personal journey.
The “god thing” never turned me off because he states it all in a way very carefully to include everyone.
I’ve never tried Peavey stuff, but now I just might since he’s trusts them.
I like the “good orderly direction” mentality, you don’t need a christian faith to follow that logic.
I’d even want to have a coffee at Starbucks, chat with him next time I’m visiting friends in Mesa.
Great book from a grounded guy.
April 6, 2025
For 1980-90s heavy metal fans David Ellefson was a paramount figure in the genre, bringing both immense skills and an amicability no common to rock stars. Many of ‘90s kids wanted to either play like him or be him. This was interesting look at the rise and evolution of Megadeth and the man behind the four strings. Paired with Dave Mustaine’s book this one is a must read for us armchair rock stars. I admit that I was a little dismayed by reading about the controversies from the last five years (2020-2024) while reading about the moral fortitude that Ellefson presented here, but, as he noted, he is still just a rock star.
July 28, 2018
For countless hard rock and heavy metal enthusiasts worldwide, David Ellefson is a "golden god." And with his 2013 memoir, the co-founding Megadeth bassist delivers an irresistible page-turner. Beautifully written, Ellefson is transparent and humble as he offers a heartfelt glimpse into his early upbringing on his family's farm during the '60s and '70s, as well as his unique and riveting insights regarding his life as a rock superstar. Woven meticulously into his often dark narrative, Ellefson's bold faith message is impactful indeed. BRAVO!
March 12, 2020
Great book, it’s amazing how much happened backstage. You definitely get a behind the scenes look at the authors life, the good and bad alike.
I will say though, hearing his testimony and return to Christianity... I’m not so sure he is there yet. Unfortunately the Bible doesn’t allow us to pick and choose what we follow.
I will say though, David comes across as open, kind hearted and a foundation to everyone around him.
I will say though, hearing his testimony and return to Christianity... I’m not so sure he is there yet. Unfortunately the Bible doesn’t allow us to pick and choose what we follow.
I will say though, David comes across as open, kind hearted and a foundation to everyone around him.
October 26, 2020
This was an enjoyable book. Ellefson touches on his faith, but doesn't overwhelm you with it. He seems like a pretty decent, down-to-earth guy. He's made mistakes, but he's recovered and he's leading a pretty good life now, with his feet firmly on the ground. He makes you feel a little better about Dave Mustaine, who he obviously likes and is friends with. A decent read.
May 4, 2026
Excelente livro. Mas, diferente da biografia do Dave Mustaine, ele foca mais na sua experiência com drogas e sua redenção através da sua conversão ao cristianismo. Incidentalmente ele fala a respeito da gravação dos álbuns do Megadeth, porém muito pormenorizado. E também ele não detalha muitas coisas dos bastidores da banda. E mesmo assim amei ler o livro. É uma lição de vida.
January 10, 2018
What an amazing book,I have always loved megadeth,but this is so inspirational about the journey we are all on to be closer to God and the faith we all strive forth.may God guide David on his journey.I highly recommend this book for everyone since we have all had our faith tested.
September 18, 2018
Pretty good. Very extensive about his time outside of deth.
David really doesn't get too into the partying which is fine. His journey towards sobriety is fascinating. Very fine book
David really doesn't get too into the partying which is fine. His journey towards sobriety is fascinating. Very fine book
November 15, 2019
CONS
-Fast pace.
-I felt like this skimmed over a lot, like why certain lineups didn’t work out.
PROS
-Great quotes.
-You can really tell how humble Ellefson is.
-Made me think a lot about my own life and journey in faith.
-Fast pace.
-I felt like this skimmed over a lot, like why certain lineups didn’t work out.
PROS
-Great quotes.
-You can really tell how humble Ellefson is.
-Made me think a lot about my own life and journey in faith.
May 29, 2021
Brilliant read! David Ellefson, founding Megadeth member describes his life with the band. From a small village in Jackson, Minnesota, living a simple life, to transitioning into a world of rock and roll, drugs and 'sin', the man has garnered world wide accolade. Great read for the MegaFan!
August 12, 2025
Bra bok og fin historie. Spennende å høre detaljer om ett liv på godt og vondt. Dog litt mye gud for meg på slutten som ateist men respekt i massevis for hans vei ut av avhengighet og fokus på musikk.
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