THE BEAST

David Ellefson Clarifies Recent Controversial Comment, Explains Why Music Doesn’t Earn a Lot of Money: “It Was Kind of a Double Entendre”

Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has addressed the stir caused by a recent remark about his financial stability, clarifying that his words were misinterpreted.

A few months ago, Ellefson sparked discussion when he stated that he doesn’t have to work “another day of [his] life,” which many took as boasting about wealth. While some fans applauded the comment as a sign of hard-earned success, others criticized him for sounding out of touch.

Now, speaking on the Brutally Delicious podcast (via Blabbermouth), Ellefson explained that his intention wasn’t to brag but to express a different point altogether.

“Part of that comment was I never have to work ’cause I don’t go to work; I play,” Ellefson said with a laugh. “You know what I mean? I don’t work music; I play music. So it was kind of a double entendre. I didn’t say that to go, like, ‘I’m bloody rich and, fuck, I never have to work.’ That was not the point of that. And you know my style — that’s not my nature to say that.”

The bassist went on to highlight a financial reality that most fans don’t see: musicians often put more money into their projects than they take out.

“But I don’t do these projects to go make money. In fact, if anything, I’m investing in them. I’m always putting my own money into these things. And it’s kind of like when you buy a car — as soon as you buy it and you drive it off the lot, you’re already upside down; you already owe more than it’s worth. And that’s how bands are, man.”

He noted that until a band builds significant financial traction through touring, record sales, and merchandise, most projects operate at a loss.

Touring itself, Ellefson explained, is one of the biggest financial burdens.

“Moving rock bands around the world costs a lot of money. It’s not cheap. And everybody thinks that there’s all this money. And, look, hopefully we end up a little further ahead at the end of it than we did when we started. And I did. I’m lucky with that. Not everybody does, man.”

Ellefson’s comments pull back the curtain on the financial realities of the music industry — a world where even successful players often face uphill battles to turn a profit. While he’s fortunate to have secured stability after decades in metal, Ellefson made clear that most musicians aren’t raking in piles of cash, despite public perception.