* 1.10.00 7:55 EST, Marty Friedman Leaves Band. Marty Friedman has left the band and will not be completing the group's current tour. Al Pitrelli, whose credits include Savatage and Alice Cooper, will be temporarily filling the void on guitar. A statement released by Dave Mustaine and his representatives on Sunday night says only that Friedman left "to pursue other musical interests." It includes a comment from Mustaine saying that Friedman was "an incredible player," he had been a "keystone" in Megadeth, and that the band was sorry to see him go and wished him well. The official statement says that Pitrelli is onboard for the first leg of the domestic tour which runs through January 21. It adds that Megadeth will be heading to Japan and South America and will return to the U.S. for more dates in the summer. The tour is in support of Megadeth's latest album, "Risk."
Dave Speaks

* The latest single, "Breadline" is currently shooting up the top 10 at rock radio and has launched this CD into mega-sales.

* Los Angeles, California - Propelling the explosive millennium celebration into the New Year, multi-platinum, hard rockers Megadeth will awaken Los Angeles later this week as they deliver what promises to be a set of hair-raising performances on Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8 at the House of Blues. The celebration will begin on Friday at 8pm, as they are awarded a Gold Record for their recent Capitol Records release, RISK, their seventh gold amidst their many platinums. For 15 years, Megadeth's uncompromising attitude has made them one of the most revered bands in the rock arena. With eight releases to their credit, more than 12 million records sold, 7 Grammy nominations, sold-out tours worldwide, Megadeth continue to break new ground in defining the genre with their latest album RISK. In just 4 months, the CD which Playboy calls "...ferocious" has gone Gold and like it's predecessors is bound for platinum.

* RISK's first single Crush 'Em, which also appears on the soundtrack for "Universal Soldier: The Return" has spawned a Top 5 Rock radio hit and a music video in which the band appears with film co-stars WCW champion Goldberg and Jean Claude Van Damme.

* August 31, Megadeth releases their new album RISK...

* Starting August 23rd, Megadeth will do a promotional tour of the US. Join the band for listening parties, autograph signing and a chance to buy an advance copy of Risk in a city near you. Check Tour Info for dates and locations.

* Nick Menza leaves Megadeth.