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Rocks VaultEP05 · Archive: 2006

Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine on Bon Jovi & Bruce Springsteen: “Why Tell Somebody How to Vote?” (2006)

At Chicago’s Congress Theater in 2006, Dave Mustaine questions musicians telling fans how to vote—and makes the case for choosing for yourself.

By BandMonkey

Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen had lost credibility in Dave Mustaine’s eyes. He wasn’t shy about explaining why.

In this September 22, 2006 interview at Chicago’s Congress Theater during Gigantour, the Megadeth frontman questions musicians telling fans which way to vote, regardless of which candidate they support.

“You guys have just lost your credibility in my eyes.”

Then Mustaine returns to the bigger point: the right to vote, and the freedom to make that choice for yourself.

Asked whether entertainers should push their opinions, he puts it plainly: “I don’t say vote this way, I say vote.”

Later that night, Megadeth’s set included “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due,” “Peace Sells,” “Hangar 18,” “Symphony of Destruction” and “Washington Is Next!”

BandMonkey duct-taped a banana to his VOTE sign. One was for civic participation. The other was the only issue he’d researched.

From BandMonkey Rocks Vault: interviews, stories and a little monkey business from the archives.