Most musicians would kill for the chance to get a gig playing for David Lee Roth.
But most musicians aren’t Jeff Young.
Young, former member of Megadeth and guitarist on the classic ‘So Far, So Good… So What’, recently gave more context behind his decision to turn down an opportunity to play for Roth after he left Megadeth.
Speaking to The Metal Voice in a new interview, Young said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth):
“Jason Becker got the [gig], which I’m glad, because that gave him a chance to do one really killer project before he got sick [Becker has been living with ALS for a few decades], and he was a buddy of mine.
Once I saw his movie, I was really glad I passed on it. I was being managed by Diamond Dave management, and that’s how I got that offer.”
With years now passed, Young was asked if he regrets turning down what many would consider the chance of a lifetime. Does he regret it? Sounds like a big fat nope:
“No, I turned it down… I thought he’d end up in Vegas. And that was all the way back then. And where did he end up? I might have ESP or something.
“I just don’t really like [Roth’s] voice, to be honest. And now I’ve since learned he’s a lunatic. I made a great choice. He’s nuts.” You can find Young ripping it up these days with Kings of Trash.