On October 9th, Megadeth Bassist David Ellefson has been honored in his hometown of Jackson, MN, with a declaration of a ceremonial annual holiday in his honor. "DAVID ELLEFSON DAY" has kicked off in Jackson on Tuesday, 10/9, with a ceremony at Jackson High School, David's alma mater, where Jackson mayor Wayne Walter declared October 9th "David Ellefson Day". Ellefson also performed a special variation of his BASSTORY performance to the student body, and gathered local attendees and media.
The event in Jackson was also the official announcement of the formation of the DAVID ELLEFSON YOUTH MUSIC FOUNDATION, a charitable foundation which will help put instruments into the hands of underprivileged and deserving youth, as well as underfunded public-school music programs, starting with a donation of items to the Jackson Public Schools of donated gear from Jackson Guitar, EVH AMPS, HARTKE, and more.
Says Ellefson:
"I grew up in Jackson, and the music program at the High School was so instrumental to the fundamentals of my music education, and, really, served as a huge part of the foundation that I would build my career on. So it is a tremendous honor to not only be able to be honored by my hometown in such an incredible fashion, but to be able to give back, and hopefully help inspire the dreams of the next generation of musicians."
Ellefson left Jackson in the early 80s to move to Los Angeles, where he met former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine, and the pair co-founded multi-platinum, Grammy-Winning Hard Rock act MEGADETH, going on to become one of the "BIG 4" of Thrash Metal. Ellefson's small town Jackson roots have been immortalized in Megadeth lore as the subject of classic songs including the smash hit "Foreclosure of a Dream", and the underground classic "Mary Jane".
Ellefson is also an author and entrepreneur, with partner Thom Hazaert, holding the reins of EMP LABEL GROUP, COMBAT RECORDS, ELLEFSON COFFEE CO, and more, in addition to a diverse portfolio of brands and signature products. Ellefson was also inducted into the 2018 class of the Iowa Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame, just over the border from Jackson in Spirit Lake, IA.
There will be a public after-party at ELLEFSON COFFEE CO. inside KAT'S HOG HEAVEN, 608 2nd St. in Jackson, Tuesday afternoon following the ceremony.
Ellefson is currently the middle of his BASSTORY World Tour, with shows across America and Europe.
BASSTORY DATES:
10/3 Bradley, IL ' The Looney Bin (w/ Green Death)
10/4 Lombard, IL - Brauer House (w/ Green Death, WRATH)
10/5 Sturtevant, WI - Route 20 Outhouse(w/ Green Death, WRATH)
10/6 Ringle, WI - Q and Z Expo Center (w/ Green Death, WRATH)
10/7 Mankato, MN ' What's Up Lounge (w/ Green Death, WRATH, Kublai Khan)
11/16 Manchester, NH - Jewel Nightclub (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
11/18 Holyoke, MA - Waterfront Tavern (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
11/20 NYC - The Iridium (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
11/21 Albany, NY ' Chrome (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
11/23 Niagara Falls, NY ' Evening Star Concert Hall (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
11/25 Waterbury, CT - Shamrock Pub (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
*Photo credit: Mike Savoia
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News reported by:Jean-François 'Thrashing Assault' Briard
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More info:
https://davidellefsonbasstory.com
