According toMTV, frontmanDave Mustainepraised Friedman as an incredible player and a keystone in the thrash-metalband.
His work on those fan favorites helped propel acrobatic thrash to the upper echelons of the sales charts.
But the group hit a nadir with 1999sRisk, which fans pegged as a bid for hard-rock mainstream copout.
American thrash metal band Megadeth lead guitarist Marty Friedman poses for a January 1995 portrait in New York City, New York.Bob Berg/Getty Images
I just feel immense joy and some serious adrenaline, Friedmansaid at the time.
The last show was December 22 in Corpus Christi, Texas, at a fucking sports bar.
The marquee read TONIGHT: MEGADETH and $3.50 Burritos.
In retrospect, its funny, but, at the time, it sucked.
I hated to see my bandmates glance up at the sign and feel their legacy fade.
For a second, I felt like a rat leaving a sinking ship.
Then I thought,Hold on a minute.
Im not a rat, and why should I stay on a sinking ship?
Its not even my ship!
It was always relaxing to reconnect with [my then-wife] Chihiro.
I viewed the upcoming leg as a grand farewell after a decade of great work.
I spent Christmas Eve catching up with Chihiro and lounging around unshaven, unkempt, and watching TV.
It felt like my heart might explode.
I thought I might have food poisoning.
Then, I was in too much pain to think.
I fell off the couch and couldnt move.
My mouth was so dry, I could barely speak, and I was scared.
Im not sure how Chihiro knew I was in trouble.
All I know is she called 911.
I must have briefly blacked out despite my heart beating at tempos usually reserved for death metal riffs.
Now, I was terrified.
My head seemed to be getting cold as the blood pumped at a rapid sprint.
Am I dying?!
I blurted at the paramedic.
Someone rolled me to the ER.
I was so freaked out, I thrashed and shook like I was having a grand mal seizure.
A nurse drew blood, and someone took it to get tested.
When I felt strong enough to speak, I asked to talk to one of the doctors.
What the hell is happening to me?
I asked in a shaky voice.
Youre fine, he calmly replied.
Youve had an unusually strong panic attack.
I was relieved, but only a little.
I wasnt sure I was fine.
Waves of dread were still washing over me.
It felt like an electric current that caused me to shiver even though the room was warm.
I could not stop fucking shaking.
No way was I going to be able to sleep.
I stayed up all night jittering and constantly changing positions in bed.
Marty, just calm down.
Lets think this out rationally.
Youre not telling me you are going to miss the tour, are you?
Maybe I was being paranoid, but I sensed a hint of a threat in his voice.
Theres no fucking way I can go anywhere like this!
Ive been in the ER all night, and Im still shaking like a junkie.
Do you get it?
Im gonna fucking die!
Theres no way I can even think about playing guitar.
Forget about me going to the airport and getting on a plane.
I cant even fucking walk.
I was shouting at Steve like a child having a temper tantrum.
Listen, dont call anyone else, Steve said, maintaining his cool.
As a seasoned manager, he had skillfully navigated much tougher situations than this.
Just take a stab at pull yourself together.
Ill talk to the band and tell them to prepare for the worst but hope for the best.
Dude, I cant walk!
I cant even move.
So, fuck them all and fuck the whole fucking tour!
It aint gonna happen.
I slammed down the receiver and continued to simmer in fear.
Chihiro looked shocked by my outburst.
She tried to support me, but there was no way to stop my involuntary shaking.
The next date of the tour was December 27 in Denver.
Steve called me at home on December 26 and asked how I was feeling.
I said I could still barely move.
Then, he asked me to reconsider heading back out with the band.
As far as I was concerned, I would never tour with Megadeth again.
I know I promised to stay with the band until March, but thats just not possible.
Im not trying to get out of anything.
I cant even walk to the bathroom by myself.
Theres no way I can do a show.
Steve was doing his job and was in a bind.
Steve all but begged me to have a go at make it to Denver by showtime.
Flying on the day of the show is never a good idea since a delayed flight could spell disaster.
I was drugged up with all sorts of relaxers that helped keep my heart from bursting through my chest.
But I had this gnawing edge that wouldnt go away.
The first thing I had to do was to venture to walk.
My balance was impaired, and I had no strength in my legs.
I couldnt even stand up straight.
How the hell was I gonna play the guitar?
It turned out to be the only thing that would take a little of the edge off.
Chihiro steered me to the limo, and we rushed to the venue in time to play the show.
I performed with abundant aggression and pulled off my normal stage moves without pause.
I was surprised at my transformation.
Copyright 2024, Marty Friedman.
Published by Permuted Press.
