Why did Jeff Young leave Megadeath? Controversies explored amid guitarist’s Dolly Parton post backlash

Jeff Young, best known as Megadeth’s lead guitarist on their 1988 album So Far, So Good... So What! has received backlash for his tribute to Dolly Parton.

During his time with the band, Young wrote solos like In My Darkest Hour and Hook in Mouth. He was fired from the band in 1989 following personal tensions and clashes with frontman Dave Mustaine.

Reports stated that Mustaine had claimed that he fired Young because of the inappropriate remarks he had made to his then-fiancée, Diana. He later alleged that Young ran out of heroin while in Japan and that forced the band to cancel the Australian tour dates. Young denied these claims and called Mustaine a "pathological liar" and attributed the end of his time in the band to Mustaine’s drug use and paranoia.

On the passing of the country music icon on August 25, Jeff Young posted an Instagram tribute for which he has received backlash.

Former guitarist Jeff Young receives backlash on Dolly Parton tribute

Former guitarist Jeff Young was among the many celebrities who posted a tribute to Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80 at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

He took to his Instagram Stories and wrote that Parton is responsible for the “injuries and deaths of millions of Americans. He continued that the Jolene singer invested millions of dollars in “moderna.” He then added a quote from her and wrote:

“Dolly: I’m dead serious about the vaccine. All of you cowards out there, don’t be such a chicken squat…get out there and get your shot.”

He added:

“Tragically, her legacy will place her in the center of the most brutal mass poisoning event in human history and she was completely unwitting, probably to the very end. There is a very real chance that the injection she received HERE was the one that ultimately killed her.”

In April 2020, Dolly Parton donated $1 million to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which helped in the research behind Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. It was reportedly a gift to her friend Dr Naji Abumrad of the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation.

He told her that they were making “some exciting advancements” in the search for a cure for the coronavirus. They became friends in 2014 when Parton was involved in a car accident and was treated at Vanderbilt.

Jeff Young’s tribute drew mixed reactions but was majorly criticized by netizens, some of whom mocked him for targeting Parton. Others thanked the late singer for her kind gesture and showed gratitude for her contribution. This is not the first time that Jeff Young has been a part of a controversy. He has been involved in several feuds, centre during his time with the Megadeth band.

Jeff Young joined Megadeth in 1987 after his student, Jay Reynolds (who was chosen to replace Chris Poland), could not record the album’s solos and recommended his teacher. Young impressed frontman Dave Mustaine with his ability to transcribe and play complex parts.

However, Young was fired after a year with the band. Mustaine claimed that Young had “run out” of heroin in Japan, and “he wanted to go home.” In his response, the former guitarist called Mustaine a “pathological liar” for spreading false news about him.

In an interview with Metal Underground.com, Jeff Young explained how he was never involved in drugs with Dave Mustaine. He said:

“I didn't smoke pot or even drink, and I never played one Megadeth gig under the influence of anything. I was sober for every show. I was never addicted, and I never had to go to rehab. With the Australian thing, Dave smuggled heroin into Japan.”

He added:

“A part of the reason why we did not go to Australia was because he did not think he could get heroin there. Dave wanted to get back to L.A. but we were all burned out. We were all homesick. I never canceled a gig in my life and I never had a drug problem. I don't even drink coffee.”

The former Megadeth member also denied making a pass at Dave Mustaine's then-fiancée, Diana, labelling them as “bullsh*t lies” spread by Mustaine.

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After leaving Megadeth in 1989, Young explored and studied flamenco and gypsy guitar styles, reportedly under the famous Brazilian guitar players, the Assad brothers.

Later, in 2022, he teamed up with former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson to form Kings of Thrash, a band that plays early Megadeth songs live. He was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions to music.

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