Marty Friedman 'Absolutely Not' Interested In Megadeth Reunion

Lightning-quick axeman Marty Friedman recently sold all of his prized Megadeth-era guitars to help raise money for Japanese earthquake victims. Friedman, who is now based in Tokyo, told LineaRock.com that he was practicing in his studio when the 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit the country in early March. "I was in the studio with my band in Tokyo", he recalled. "So the studio was going upside down and everything; it was crazy. It was very, very scary - frightening".

The guitars aren't the only thing Friedman has shed from his storied past. The guitarist has also left behind any desire to reform with Dave Mustaine and company, even to take part in the 20th anniversary celebration of the band's classic "Rust In Peace" album.

"Absolutely not. The past is the past. I mean, it was a wonderful album and I'm sure [the current lineup of Megadeth is] doing a great job playing it. So many fans want to hear [those songs performed live], that's for sure. Every time I do a guitar clinic, I'm signing that record like it's going out of style and they want me to play stuff from it. I'm so happy about the great impact that that record has and I'm sure they're making a lot of fans happy doing it, so I support them 1000 percent. But it's not something that I'm really interested in re-doing right now."

Thanks for the report to Michael Wright, Gibson.com.

Comments

[MrSir4]

The headline sounds like he is not doing it just because he has a grudge against Mustaine.....It seems like he is not doing it because he has his mind set on other things right now. Which is cool, he seems like a pretty cool guy. One hell of a guitarist

[jesse1994]

he said right now, so that still leaves the possibility, even if 2%, that he may reunite with them maybe at the final megadeth show

[emphaticleech]

If Megadeth ever gets inducted in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame ... Him, Poland, Young, Pitrelli, Drover all better be there. Since we can't have Gar (RIP ) then Chuck, Menza, DeGrasso, Drover will all be good to see there.

[PRSfanatic]

I say that's good, listen to his solo albums from the past couple of years - you'll know what I mean.

[sticksause]

Yeah, the headline is a bit misleading. You gotta rspect this guy, a true artist with the right mindset. He clearly understands that moving forward and not living in the past is the way to go

[Spartan101400]

Well, Mustaine doesn't want to have anything to do with him and Marty doesn't want to do it, so I can't see it happening before Dave retires.

[Rattlehead2]

It was said a thousand times he won't join Megadeth anymore... Why is everyone still asking Marty these questions?

[d.c.guitar]

I wish he'd quit the Japanese bullshit and come back to the US and play some real american rock. I love must of his solo stuff, but the last CD was terrible, the vocals sucked!

[marcgambrell]

I can't see it ever happening but he did say that he's not interested "right now". Not that we would never re-join. Anyway my main concern is getting a drummer that can nail those drum parts. Chris is good at the leads but Shawn is average at best at the drums because he misses so much out. The first thing I learnt as a musician is that a band is only as good as its drummer.

[siraxlrose]

the j-pop stuff sucks that he is doing now, dragon's kiss was phenomenal. He should do a collabration with satriani.

[eminisariffer]

Imagine the last Megadeth show. They should get all of the ex lead and bass guitarists onto the same stage.. Imagine Chris Poland, Marty, Kerry, Glen and Chris all jamming up there together..

[b_flo]

From what I heard, he had some sort of breakdown. Still one of the greatest metal guitarist out there.

[emphaticleech]

eminisariffer wrote:

Imagine the last Megadeth show. They should get all of the ex lead and bass guitarists onto the same stage.. Imagine Chris Poland, Marty, Kerry, Glen and Chris all jamming up there together..

Chris and Marty would absolutely dominate. But it'd be cool. Don't forget Jeff Young. :]

b_flo wrote:

From what I heard, he had some sort of breakdown. Still one of the greatest metal guitarist out there.

He's one of the greatest guitarists out there, period. He's got some awesome pop stuff.

[Stikit2duhman]

so ****ing good but still down to earth. i wonder why he really tries to avoid anything with megadeth?

[Chronologo]

Rattlehead2 wrote:

It was said a thousand times he won't join Megadeth anymore... Why is everyone still asking Marty these questions?

I think the same, but I'd love to see him play Tornado Of Souls live, that solo was mean to be played only by him.

[Metal_9]

Come back to Megadeth!!

[venom1stas]

Megadeth was twice the band with marty and nick in it