1982

Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield form Metallica. Dave Mustaine leaves Panic and joins Metallica. Ron McGovney is hired as Metallica's bassist March, Metallica's first gig at Radio City in Anaheim March, Metallica opens for Saxon on their "Denim and Leather" tour April, Brad Parker (a.k.a. Damian Phillips) is hired as Metallica's second guitarist. He leaves band after one gig, Metallica's only as a five-piece band. May, James Hetfield takes up rhythm guitar in addition to vocals. June, "Hit the Lights" is included on Metal Massacre compilation Rare demo album No Life 'til Leather is released. December, Cliff Burton leaves Trauma to replace Ron McGovney

1983

March, Cliff Burton's first gig with Metallica April, Dave Mustaine is fired from Metallica, Kirk Hammet leaves Exodus to replace him Metallica's first album, Kill 'Em All, is released Dave Mustaine gets together with bassist David Ellefson, guitarist Kerry King, and drummer Lee Rash to form Megadeth Kerry King assists Megadeth on tour and then returns to Slayer Lee Rash is replaced by Gar Samuelson Chris Poland is hired to fill the gap Kerry King helped with. Hawaii (Marty Friedman's second band) releases One Nation Underground December 31st, Mustaine becomes Megadeth's singer

1984

November, Megadeth is signed to Combat records Hawaii releases Loud Wild and Heavy

1985

May, Megadeth releases Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! Hawaii releases The Natives Are Restless

1986

Cliff Burton dies in bus accident November, Megadeth releases Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? Capitol Records signs Megadeth, gets rights to Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? from Combat Overkill opens for Megadeth on "Wake Up Dead" tour Chris Poland and Gar Samuelson are fired after last show of tour in Hawaii

1987

February, Megadeth opens for Alice Cooper's "Constrictor" tour Megadeth tours with Mercyful Fate Chuck Behler hired as Megadeth's drummer Jay Reynolds of Malice helps out Megadeth until they find a suitable replacement for Chris Poland, guitarist Jeff Young Marty Friedman's and Jason Becker's Cacophony releases Speed Metal Symphony

1988

March, Megadeth releases So Far, So Good... So What! Megadeth opens for Dio on European tour Megadeth featured in acclaimed documentary, Decline of Western Civilization 2: The Metal Years August, Megadeth plays Castle Donnington with KISS, and Iron Maiden as the headliner Megadeth opens for the "Monsters of Rock" tour. Marty Friedman releases his first solo album, Dragon's Kiss Megadeth cancels Australian tour Dave Mustaine helps produce Sanctuary's Refuge Denied

1989

Cacophony releases Go Off! Jeff Young and Chuck Behler are fired Mustaine is arrested for impaired driving, forced to clean up in 12-step program July, Nick Menza, is hired as Megadeth's drummer

1990

January, Megadeth covers Alice Cooper's "No More Mr. Nice Guy" for Wes Craven's Shocker soundtrack, their only song as a three-piece band Jason Becker is diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs's disease, Cacophony officially breaks up February, Marty Friedman is hired as Megadeth's lead guitarist October, Megadeth releases Rust in Peace October, Megadeth joins Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies, and Testament for "Clash of the Titans" tour

1991

March, Megadeth opens for Judas Priest, in support of their new album Painkiller April, Dave Mustaine gets married to Pamela Anne Casselberry April, Rusted Pieces video is released July, Megadeth's "Go to Hell" featured on Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey soundtrack US "Clash of the Titans" tour featuring Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth, and opener Alice in Chains

1992

May, Megadeth's "Breakpoint" featured on Super Mario Bros soundtrack July, Megadeth releases Countdown to Extinction November, Exposure of a Dream video is released Megadeth tours the USA with Stone Temple Pilots Dave Mustaine covers Democratic national convention for MTV Marty Friedman releases Scenes, with Nick Menza on drums Dave Mustaine's son, Justis, is born

1993

Dave Mustaine makes a guest appearance on Diamond Head's Death and Progress February, Dave Mustaine overdoses in a getting high attempt. The quote on MTV's "Night of the Living Megadeth" regarding it was a joke. Megadeth plays Milton Keynes Bowl with Diamond Head and Metallica Megadeth opens for Iron Maiden for a few dates on their European Tour Aerosmith kicks Megadeth off their American "Get A Grip" tour, Jackyl takes their place Pantera opens for Megadeth's "Countdown to Extinction" Tour June, Megadeth's "Angry Again" featured on Last Action Hero soundtrack November, Megadeth's "99 Ways to Die" featured on The Beavis and Butthead Experience soundtrack

1994

Halloween, Megadeth releases Youthanasia, plays on MTV's "Night of the Living Megadeth" October, Megadeth covers "Paranoid" for Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black Sabbath

1995

January, Megadeth's "Diadems" featured on Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight soundtrack January to February, "Youth" worldwide tour with Corrosion of Conformity March, Megadeth releases Hidden Treasures compilation in Europe May, Evolver: The Making of Youthanasia video is released July, Megadeth releases Hidden Treasures compilation in USA and Japan July to August, "Reckoning Day" tour with Flotsam and Jetsam, Korn and Fear Factory Marty Friedman releases Introduction, with Nick Menza on drums

1996

Dave Mustaine collaborates with Lee Ving of Fear on MD.45, The Craving November, Marty Friedman releases True Obsessions (Shrapnel Records) David Ellefson's son, Roman Alexander, is born David Ellefson produces Helstar's reunion album, Multiples of Black

1997

June, Megadeth releases Cryptic Writings Remix of Megadeth's "Almost Honest" included on Mortal Kombat Annihilation soundtrack

1998

January 28th, Dave Mustaine's daughter, Electra, is born Megadeth takes part in "Ozzfest'98" July, Nick Menza and Megadeth have parted ways July, Jimmy DeGrasso is hired as Megadeth's drummer October 23rd, David Ellefson's daughter Athena is born

1999

Megadeth enters the studio with producer Dann Huff in Nashville to record their follow up to Cryptic Writings. Megadeth spend the summer playing radio shows, and eventually join Iron Maiden for a European tour in September. "Crush 'Em" is released on the Universal Soldier 2 Soundtrack and eventually makes its way into NHL arenas and WCW. Risk is released on August 31, 1999, and is certified gold a month later.

2000

Al Pitrelli joins the band replacing Marty Friedman. The band starts work on it's 10th release. Megadeth leaves Capitol Records. Megadeth signs with Sanctuary Records. "Kill the King" is number one most added song at rock radio. Megadeth releases Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years. The band returns to the studio in LA to finish recording their new release. Megadeth closes out the millenium in Anchorage, Alaska with the promise of a web broadcast of the New Years Eve show.