David Ellefson and Andrew Freeman Perform Megadeth and Sabbath Classics in Buenos Aires

Former David Ellefson recently brought his Basstory: Performance, Stories & Legacy tour to Latin America, offering fans an intimate blend of live performance and personal reflection. More than a conventional concert, Basstory is designed as a behind-the-music experience, weaving together iconic bass lines, metal classics, and stories from a career that has spanned more than four decades.

Joining Ellefson on this run are Andrew Freeman of Last in Line on vocals, guitarists Andy Martongelli and Emanuel López, and drummer Adrián Esposito. Fan-filmed footage from the February 14 stop at Uniclub in Buenos Aires has circulated online, capturing the energy of the show’s stripped-down but powerful format.

The Basstory tour has previously appeared across Europe, the United States, and Australia, giving audiences a rare chance to see Ellefson up close in a setting that emphasizes connection over spectacle. As Ellefson explained of the concept, “‘Basstory’ lets me connect with fans on a deeper level. You get the riffs, but you also get the stories behind them — plus a badass live performance of fan favorites by talented musicians!”

From Megadeth’s Origins to Legal Battles

Ellefson was a founding member of Megadeth, serving as the band’s bassist from its formation in 1983 until 2002. That year, the band temporarily dissolved after frontman Dave Mustaine suffered severe nerve damage that left him unable to play guitar.

Mustaine later revived Megadeth, initially intending to record a solo album that ultimately became the band’s 2004 comeback release, The System Has Failed. For the subsequent touring cycle, former Iced Earth bassist James MacDonough stepped in to replace Ellefson.

In 2004, Ellefson filed an $18.5 million lawsuit against Mustaine, alleging unpaid merchandise and publishing royalties. The case was dismissed in early 2005, and five years later, Ellefson rejoined Megadeth. In his first book, Ellefson revealed that his return came with a significant shift in status, moving from co-founding owner to salaried band member.

Reflecting on that decision in an interview with Metal-Rules.com, Ellefson said, “Going from being a co-founding owner to just a sideman musician was initially why I didn’t come back in 2004. I was not happy with the participations that were presented to me.” He added that stepping away from ownership ultimately allowed him to rediscover joy in music and maintain personal relationships. “Like American Express says, ‘membership has its privileges,’ being a sideman has its benefits. In my case, it helps retain a friendship too. In order to have a friendship, I had to give up some ownership.”

Reconciliation, Reflection, and Moving Forward

During a February 2021 appearance on Mitch Joel’s Groove – The No Treble Podcast, Ellefson revisited the legal dispute with Mustaine, placing much of the blame on poor communication and outside management. “I firmly believe Dave and I ended up in that situation because he and I were not directly communicating,” he said, noting that lawyers and managers escalated the conflict rather than resolving it.

Ellefson emphasized that once those intermediaries were removed, reconciliation became possible. “As soon as Dave and I get in a room, it’s, like, ‘What the hell are we fighting over? Get your guitar. Let’s play. Let’s jam.’ And then it becomes about the music,” he said.

He also reflected on the emotional nature of the band itself, adding, “I’ve always said Megadeth is completely illogical — there’s no logic to it at all. And there’s not really supposed to be, because it’s something of the heart — it’s not of the head; it’s of the heart.”

Nearly five years ago, Ellefson was dismissed from Megadeth after sexually explicit messages and video footage involving the bassist surfaced on social media. Since then, he has continued to move forward with projects like Basstory and his upcoming Bass Warrior European tour, which is set for March 2026 and will feature material from across his career, including Megadeth classics, solo work, and songs that shaped his musical journey.