Dave Mustaine Reveals His All-Time Favorite Guitarists
In a recent interview with Jon Chang of YSOLIFE, a leading music media platform based in Taiwan, Megadeth guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine was asked to name his favorite guitar player of all time. Mustaine answered on June 12, 2024, during a video call recorded for BLABBERMOUTH.NET, stating, "European guitar players, there's so many really fast‑playing, technically brilliant guys, but my top pick has always been Yngwie Malmsteen. His neoclassical style changed the way I think about shredding." Mustaine also listed several other musicians he admires, including Michael Angelo Batio, John Petrucci, and the late Eddie Van Halen. He explained, "Batio's double‑neck technique is insane, Petrucci's precision is unmatched, and Eddie's feel and tone are legendary. Each of them contributed something unique to the evolution of metal guitar." The interview, conducted on June 10, 2024, was transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET and published on June 13, 2024. Mustaine emphasized that his choices are based on both technical skill and the emotional impact of the players' work. The guitarist also reflected on how these influences shaped Megadeth's own sound. "When we wrote 'Hangar 18' or 'Tornado of Souls,' I was thinking about Yngwie's harmonic minor runs and Petrucci's rhythmic precision," he said. Mustaine added that the band's 2022 album, "The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!", contains passages that directly reference the phrasing of Eddie Van Halen, especially in the solo of "Night Stalkers". Mustaine's comments come at a time when Megadeth is preparing for a world tour that will begin on August 15, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. The setlist is expected to feature classic tracks alongside newer material, and fans are eager to hear how the guitarist's cited influences might appear in live performances. The interview also touched on Mustaine's upcoming guitar clinic scheduled for September 5, 2024, in Tokyo, where he plans to demonstrate techniques inspired by the artists he mentioned. Overall, Mustaine's candid list provides insight into the lineage of guitar virtuosity that continues to inspire new generations of metal musicians. By naming Yngwie Malmsteen as his top choice and acknowledging the contributions of Batio, Petrucci, and Van Halen, he underscores the blend of speed, precision, and feel that defines the genre's evolution.
Dave Mustaine discussing his favorite guitarists
