Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine Refutes Peter Frampton’s Claim of Stage Damage
In a recent statement, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine has refuted Peter Frampton’s claim that the metal veterans’ sound check caused “structural damage to the stage” that resulted in both artists canceling their shows at the same Richmond, Virginia, venue.
The Trouble Began
The trouble began last weekend when Megadeth pulled the plug on their show at Virginia Credit Union Live mere hours before doors were set to open. The band announced the cancellation on social media, stating that “due to unexpected and unpredictable circumstances, our show tonight, Sunday, Sept. 15, in Richmond, Virginia, has been canceled and will not be rescheduled.” Refunds were made available for tickets purchased online, by phone, or in person at the venue box office or other original points of purchase.
Peter Frampton’s Suggestion
Two days later, Frampton canceled his scheduled performance at the same venue with little notice. During his Thursday performance in Philadelphia, the guitar hero cheekily suggested that Megadeth was to blame for the stage damage.
“So, we had a show canceled the other day because of weather,” Frampton told the crowd. “And also Megadeth did a sound check, I think a couple of days before our show, and after they finished their sound check, there was structural damage to the stage. I’m not blaming them — could have been another band — but it looks pretty like it. So, sorry, Megadeth. I had to rat on you.”
Dave Mustaine’s Response
On Monday, Mustaine issued a formal response to Frampton in which he vehemently denied that his band was to blame for the show cancellations in Richmond. A statement from Megadeth’s PR firm, SRO PR, reads:
“Megadeth did not even get a chance to sound check at all in Richmond, Virginia, contrary to what Peter Frampton reports. Megadeth’s rigger was in the venue’s steel grid system above the stage getting ready to hang the lights when he noticed there was damage to the venue’s grid. He pointed this out immediately to the promoters and the venue. It was determined that it was unsafe for Megadeth to hang their production or put the band on stage at the risk of in-house grid failure to support the weight of the touring lighting and sound, which could fall on the band, crew members or audience, as it could cause serious injury or death. Therefore, Megadeth, the local promoter, the venue and booking agents had no other option than to cancel the show.”
Mustaine himself added: “It seems Frampton was misinformed about our show being canceled. The decision was purely based on safety. It’s disappointing when someone you admire talks out their ass about you.”
Peter Frampton’s Response
Frampton responded to Mustaine’s statement on Monday afternoon, telling UCR: “It was a joke. I made it up in the moment! I’m so sorry people took me seriously. This was a critical situation. My humble apologies to Megadeth, their crew and their audience.”
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the cancellation of Megadeth and Peter Frampton’s shows at Virginia Credit Union Live has sparked a heated debate about the safety of the venue and the responsibility of the artists involved. While Frampton has apologized for his earlier statement, Mustaine remains adamant that his band was not to blame for the stage damage. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in the music industry.
FAQs
Q: Why did Megadeth cancel their show at Virginia Credit Union Live?
A: Megadeth canceled their show due to unexpected and unpredictable circumstances, which were determined to be unsafe for the band, crew members, and audience.
Q: Did Peter Frampton suggest that Megadeth was to blame for the stage damage?
A: Yes, Frampton made a joke during his performance in Philadelphia, suggesting that Megadeth’s sound check may have caused the damage.
Q: Did Megadeth actually perform a sound check at the venue?
A: No, according to Megadeth’s PR firm, SRO PR, the band did not perform a sound check at the venue before the cancellation.
Q: Why did Frampton apologize for his earlier statement?
A: Frampton apologized because he realized that his joke was taken seriously by some and may have caused harm to Megadeth’s reputation.
Q: What is the current status of the shows?
A: The shows have been canceled, and refunds are available for tickets purchased online, by phone, or in person at the venue box office or other original points of purchase.
