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Megadeth Dropped From Aerosmiths 1993 Get a Grip Tour After Vocalists Comment
In mid‑1993, the heavy‑metal band Megadeth was slated to open for Aerosmith on the 18‑month Get a Grip tour. After seven shows, the partnership dissolved when frontman Dave Mustaine reportedly declared that Megadeth should headline instead of Aerosmith. The incident, which took place on June 17 1993, ended Megadeth’s run on the tour and prompted Aerosmith to replace them with a new lineup of openers.
The Get a Grip tour launched on June 2 1993 in the United States and ran until December 1994, covering 230 shows across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. The tour was created to promote Aerosmith’s eleventh studio album, Get a Grip, released in April 1993. The album achieved multi‑platinum status worldwide and became the band’s first U.S. number‑one record.
Megadeth, fresh from the platinum‑certified Countdown to Extinction (1992), was invited to serve as the opening act for the first leg of the tour—a high‑profile opportunity for the thrash‑metal group. However, during the early leg, Mustaine allegedly commented that the band should headline because Aerosmith was “on their way out.” Aerosmith’s management interpreted the remark as a challenge to the band’s status. According to reports, the frontman was also dissatisfied with the soundcheck and backdrop arrangements, and the tension culminated in the decision to drop Megadeth from the tour on June 17 1993.
Following the split, Aerosmith announced a new roster of opening acts for the remainder of the tour. The replacement lineup included Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Jackyl, 4 Non Blondes, Soul Asylum, Therapy?, Collective Soul, Extreme, Mr. Big, and Robert Plant. The change was intended to keep the tour’s momentum while avoiding further conflict. Fans of the early 1990s hard‑rock scene were left with a different mix of acts, but the tour continued to draw large crowds and remained a commercial success.
In 2021, former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson reflected on the incident during an appearance on the podcast Waste Some Time With Jason Green. Ellefson said Mustaine was unhappy with the production aspects of the tour—including soundcheck and backdrop—and that Aerosmith’s members were sober at the time. He noted that the band’s managers had been trying to keep Megadeth on a sober tour to preserve the group’s image. Ellefson also pointed out that Megadeth and Aerosmith had distinct musical styles and fan bases, suggesting that the two acts might not have been a natural fit for a single tour.
The episode remains a notable moment in touring history, illustrating the challenges of pairing bands with divergent audiences and the impact of backstage tensions on tour logistics. While Megadeth’s run on the Get a Grip tour was cut short, the band continued to release successful albums in the following years, including Youthanasia (1994). Aerosmith, meanwhile, completed the tour and went on to further projects, including a 1994–1995 world tour and subsequent albums.
Today, the incident is often cited in discussions of touring dynamics and band relationships. Neither Megadeth nor Aerosmith has issued a formal statement revisiting the event, and no legal action has been taken. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and mutual respect in large‑scale concert tours.
The Get a Grip tour launched on June 2 1993 in the United States and ran until December 1994, covering 230 shows across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. The tour was created to promote Aerosmith’s eleventh studio album, Get a Grip, released in April 1993. The album achieved multi‑platinum status worldwide and became the band’s first U.S. number‑one record.
Megadeth, fresh from the platinum‑certified Countdown to Extinction (1992), was invited to serve as the opening act for the first leg of the tour—a high‑profile opportunity for the thrash‑metal group. However, during the early leg, Mustaine allegedly commented that the band should headline because Aerosmith was “on their way out.” Aerosmith’s management interpreted the remark as a challenge to the band’s status. According to reports, the frontman was also dissatisfied with the soundcheck and backdrop arrangements, and the tension culminated in the decision to drop Megadeth from the tour on June 17 1993.
Following the split, Aerosmith announced a new roster of opening acts for the remainder of the tour. The replacement lineup included Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Jackyl, 4 Non Blondes, Soul Asylum, Therapy?, Collective Soul, Extreme, Mr. Big, and Robert Plant. The change was intended to keep the tour’s momentum while avoiding further conflict. Fans of the early 1990s hard‑rock scene were left with a different mix of acts, but the tour continued to draw large crowds and remained a commercial success.
In 2021, former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson reflected on the incident during an appearance on the podcast Waste Some Time With Jason Green. Ellefson said Mustaine was unhappy with the production aspects of the tour—including soundcheck and backdrop—and that Aerosmith’s members were sober at the time. He noted that the band’s managers had been trying to keep Megadeth on a sober tour to preserve the group’s image. Ellefson also pointed out that Megadeth and Aerosmith had distinct musical styles and fan bases, suggesting that the two acts might not have been a natural fit for a single tour.
The episode remains a notable moment in touring history, illustrating the challenges of pairing bands with divergent audiences and the impact of backstage tensions on tour logistics. While Megadeth’s run on the Get a Grip tour was cut short, the band continued to release successful albums in the following years, including Youthanasia (1994). Aerosmith, meanwhile, completed the tour and went on to further projects, including a 1994–1995 world tour and subsequent albums.
Today, the incident is often cited in discussions of touring dynamics and band relationships. Neither Megadeth nor Aerosmith has issued a formal statement revisiting the event, and no legal action has been taken. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and mutual respect in large‑scale concert tours.
