**Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine Announces Retirement, Final Album and Farewell Tour: “The Hardest Part of All of This Is Saying Goodbye” — ‘Spaceman’ Dead at 74**
In a deeply emotional announcement that has sent shockwaves through the heavy metal world, **Dave Mustaine**, the legendary frontman and founder of **Megadeth**, has confirmed that the band will officially retire following the release of their upcoming final studio album and a global **farewell tour** slated for 2026.
Mustaine, 63, shared the news during a heartfelt press conference in Los Angeles, expressing gratitude to fans for over four decades of loyalty and passion. “This isn’t goodbye forever,” he said. “It’s a celebration — of every riff, every battle, every stage we’ve conquered together. The hardest part of all of this is saying goodbye.”
The announcement came just hours after news broke of the death of **Ace Frehley**, the iconic former **KISS** guitarist known as *“The Spaceman.”* Frehley passed away at the age of 74 following complications from a brain bleed and a fall. Mustaine paid tribute to Frehley during his statement, calling him “a pioneer who made guitar playing feel like space travel.” He added, “The world lost a true original. Rest easy, Spaceman.”
Megadeth’s final album — rumored to feature both fresh compositions and reimagined classics — is expected to drop in early 2026, ahead of what’s being described as their most ambitious world tour yet. Dates and cities are expected to be revealed before the end of the year.
Fans across the globe have flooded social media with messages of support, honoring both Mustaine’s legacy and Frehley’s memory. For many, 2026 will mark not just the end of an era for Megadeth — but a farewell to two of rock’s most enduring cosmic figures.
