Dave Mustaine recently opened up about his plans following Megadeth’s farewell tour. He shared surprisingly humble aspirations in an interview with La Tercera.
The Megadeth frontman discussed how he envisions spending his time after stepping away from his legendary metal career. He revealed plans that contrast sharply with his rock star lifestyle.
“Probably just be a happy grandpa,” Mustaine said. “‘Cause I love my family. It’s the most important thing in the world to me.”
Despite his health challenges, Mustaine remains optimistic about his future involvement in music.
“And I think when I stop, I’ll still be involved in the music business,” he continued. “Who knows? I may wake up tomorrow morning and my hand will be miraculously healed and I have my career back. Who knows? But for now, I’m gonna make the best of it.”
The comments reflect Mustaine’s current focus on family priorities while maintaining hope for his musical future.
Mustaine’s retirement plans come as Megadeth prepares for an extensive farewell tour following the release of their final self-titled album on January 23, 2026. The decision to retire stems from serious health issues that have increasingly affected the 64-year-old musician’s ability to perform at his peak level.
Loudersound reported that Mustaine is battling Dupuytren’s Contracture, a progressive hand condition that causes his fingers, particularly the ring and pinky fingers, to curl inward, making guitar playing “really painful.” The condition has progressed to the point where his fingers are “bunching up” with severe arthritis at the tips, significantly impacting his performance capabilities.
The health challenges extend beyond his hands. Chaoszine noted that Mustaine describes his body as a “battered old jalopy,” citing cumulative physical toll from decades of performing including spinal stenosis, bulging discs, a broken lumbar bone, fused back and neck areas, and overall arthritis in his trunk and shoulders. His ongoing struggles also include nerve damage and numbness in his left hand, stemming from a 2002 radial neuropathy incident that previously forced a temporary disbandment of the band.
Metal Injection revealed that these health issues emerged during the recording of Megadeth’s final album, naturally leading to the retirement decision. Mustaine has stated that when he couldn’t play his best anymore, he would make the right decision for the band’s legacy. He plans to undergo surgery for his hand condition after the farewell tour concludes, though he won’t risk the procedure failing during their final performances.
The farewell tour is planned as a multi-year journey spanning 2026 and beyond, with dates scheduled across Canada, Europe, North America, and South America. Parade confirmed that Mustaine announced the retirement in August 2025 on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation, emphasizing that he won’t tour beyond his physical and creative limits, bringing an end to Megadeth’s remarkable 43-year career.
