David Warren Ellefson was born on the 12th November 1964, in Jackson, Minnesota USA, and is a bass player mainly known for his activities with the band Megadeth; he is regarded as the resting-pole and mediator of the band. Ellefson has been active in the entertainment industry since 1982.
How much is the net worth of David Ellefson? It has been estimated by authoritative sources that the outright size of his wealth is as much as $15 million, as of the data presented in the middle of 2017. Music is the major source of Ellefson’s modest fortune.
David Ellefson Net Worth $15 Million
To begin with, Ellefson began his career as a musician at the age of 11. After an initial training which included only keyboard and saxophone, the boy began playing the bass because of the explosion of heavy rock. Then he picked up the rhythm guitar; he was subsequently the leader of several groups in the music scene of the American mid-west.
After playing in several small groups, he moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18. There he met Dave Mustaine, and persuaded him to listen to the demos he recorded with Metallica (a band he just left), Ellefson decided to set up a band with him. This is how Megadeth created their first album “Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!” in 1985, which was a worldwide success during the 1990s. Over the years and changes within the group, Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson became the true backbone of the group. But in 2002, Dave Mustaine announced the end of Megadeth, which created a conflict between the two men. When the group eventually reformed in 2004, David became the leader. Among other things, he worked with the former Megadeth drummer Jimmy DeGrasso in the band F5.
At the beginning of 2010, he and the former Manowar drummer Rhino released the CD “Kingdom of Evil”, through their newly founded melodic metal band Angels of Babylon. In January 2014, an EP called “Altitudes & Attitude” – the name of the band – which Ellefson recorded together with Frank Bello, supplemented by Jeff Friedl (The Beta Machine), came out. In 2014, a debut album was released, called “Booze & Cigarettes”. Overall, all the aforementioned engagements have added sums to the total size of David Ellefson.
Concerning his technique and equipment, Ellefson played with his fingers. However, as Megadeth’s music became more complex and faster, Ellefson preferred to play with a pick. Currently, his bass arsenal consists of a pair of 4-string and 5-string American Deluxe P-Bass respectively, an Epiphone 5-string acoustic bass and 4-string Ovation acoustic bass. On his return to Megadeth, Ellefson began to use bass back Jackson as he did for much of his career with the band. David has used Hartke, Ampeg and Peavey amplifiers during his career.
Finally, in the personal life of Ellefson, he married Julie Foley in 1993.
“Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!” (1985), “Kingdom of Evil” (CD, 2010), “Altitudes & Attitude” (2014, EP), “Cryptic Writings” (1997), “Risk” (1999), “The World Needs a Hero” (2001), “Thirteen” (2011), “Super Collider” (2013), “Dystopia” (2016)
Music Groups
Megadeth (1983-2002, 2010-present), Soulfly, Avian, Temple of Brutality, F5, Killing Machine, Ministry, Hail!, Altitudes & Attitude, Metal Allegiance
Movies
Metal Bass: Level 1 (2006), Metal Bass: Level 2(educational film, 2006), Sepultura Endurance (documentary, 2017), “Booze & Cigarettes” (2014)
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Fact
1
Daughter, Athena Grace was born on October 23rd, 1998.
2
Son, Roman Alexander was born on February 6th, 1996.
3
Has 2 children, Roman and Athena.
4
Appeared on all Megadeth recordings up to 2002.
5
Bassist of Megadeth from 1982 to 2002 and 2010 to present.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Metalhead to Head
2014
TV Series
Megadeth: Countdown to Extinction - Live
2013
Video
Bass, backing vocals
Northern Light Orchestra: The Spirit of Christmas
2009
Video
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Brütal Legend
2009
Video Game writer: "High Speed Dirt", "Tornado of Souls"
Super Mario Bros.
1993
writer: "BREAKPOINT"
The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years
1988
Documentary writer: "In My Darkest Hour"
Casting Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Northern Light Orchestra: The Spirit of Christmas
2009
Video casting assistant - uncredited
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Northern Light Orchestra
2009
Documentary associate producer
Set Decorator
Title
Year
Status
Character
Northern Light Orchestra: The Spirit of Christmas
2009
Video
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lemmy
2010
Documentary thanks
Northern Light Orchestra
2009
Documentary very special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dude! Where's My Music?
Documentary post-production
Himself
Inside Metal: The L.A. Metal Scene Explodes!
2016
Documentary
Himself (as David Ellefson)
No More Mr. Nice Guy: The Music of Shocker
2015
Video short
Himself
Shiprocked
2015
Himself
Inside Metal: The Pioneers of L.A. Hard Rock and Metal
2014
Documentary
That Metal Show
2014
TV Series
Himself
Welcome to the Dream
2013
Documentary
Himself
Battlefield of the Mind
2012
Documentary voice
Metallica/Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax: The Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria
2010
Documentary
Himself
Lemmy
2010
Documentary
Himself (as David Ellefson)
Northern Light Orchestra
2009
Documentary
Bass Player Music Director
Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal
2006
Documentary
Himself
Rude Awakening
2002
Video documentary
Himself / bassist
Behind the Music
2001
TV Series documentary
Himself
English Composition: Writing for an Audience
2001
TV Series
Himself - Musician and Author
WCW Monday Nitro
1999
TV Series
Himself
Woodstock '99
1999
TV Special
Himself
Evolver: Making of Youthanasia
1994
Documentary
Himself
Megadeth: Exposure of a Dream
1992
Video short
Himself (Bass, Backing Vocals) (as David Ellefson)
Hangin' w/MTV
1992
TV Series
Himself
Top of the Pops
1992
TV Series
Himself
Rusted Pieces
1991
Video
Himself
Hard 'N Heavy Volume 10
1991
Video documentary
Himself - Megadeth
The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years
1988
Documentary
Himself (Megadeth bassist)
Night Network
1988
TV Series
Himself
Known for movies
Rude Awakening (2002) as Himself / bassist
Rusted Pieces (1991) as Himself
Lemmy (2010) as Thanks
The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988) as Himself (Megadeth bassist)