Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) talks about 'The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists' book in Classic Rock. | 25 August 2009


How did it feel to be No.1 in Joel McIver's recent book, The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists?
It was especially sweet when I found out that Joel has written books on Metallica. I looked at my copy of the book -- I wasn't on the cover or the back. I figured I'd be somewhere like No.69. So I thumbed through it; it's a really comprehensive, good book. I got to No.50 and I thought, 'Am I in here?' I'd been told that I was, but not which position. So I got No.16 and I saw Hetfield. I thought, 'Wow' because I respect James. I'm a better lead player than he is, but he's one of the three best rhythm players in the world.

The other two being?
Malcolm Young [of AC/DC] and myself. Malcolm kept it basic but brought a whole new style of rhythm playing to the world. So I got to the Top 10… I still wasn't in there. Every page I turned, I became more excited. I get to No.5 and it's Kirk [Hammett], and I thought, 'Thank you, God'. At that point it didn't matter [which position I was]. To be better than both of them [Hetfield and Hammett] meant so much -- it's been one of the pet peeves of my career and I've never known how to deal with it. I didn't realise that it has had so much bearing upon my life. Then I got to No.2 and it was John Petrucci [of Dream Theater] and I froze. I was No.1. What made it better still is that the guy wrote: 'This isn't about Dave as a person because he's been a cock' -- [interjects with a bray of laughter] -- 'These four pages are about his guitar playing, which is the best. There are people who are better at one thing that Mustaine does, and others that are better than another, but no-one who's as good at everything'. All I thought was... I win!

In a way did it represent closure?
That's it exactly. I'm not addicted [to anything] anymore. And I'm no longer struggling with past demons from another band [Metallica]. That game has ended. Lars [Ulrich] called me up and offered the chance to come to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame thing and not be inducted, to sit in the audience [instead]. 'It's only for people who've been on the records' is what I was told. That would have been awkward. So I didn't go. There are obviously some unresolved issues on Lars' part. But you know what? If God wants me in the Hall Of Fame, I will be there.
Walker Brothers' Author Across The BBC | 19 August 2009



Anthony Reynolds is paying the UK a visit to escape the incessant heat of Spain. There's no way that we are going to let him relax though and have decided to bring him down to London from his native Wales for a busy day of radio on Monday August the 24th to promote The Impossible Dream.

He'll be live on air on BBC London's Robert Elms' show at 1410 and will be appearing later on Roger Day Across The South. Please check back for details of forthcoming shows. If you like Scott Walker and The Walker Brothers you should tune in. Further still, you really need to read this book, which can be ordered from Amazon at the click of the button from our "books" tab.


Riot On Sunset Strip Events & Related | 03 August 2009

http://www.americancinematheque.com/archive1999/2009/Egyptian/RiotonSunsetStrip_ET2009.htm