Mustaine Risked Paralysis At Big Four Show

Heavy metal star Dave Mustaine risked paralysis by pressing ahead with Megadeth's concert in New York on Wednesday (14Sep11) - because he needed urgent surgery to fix a painful neck injury.

The headbanging rocker played through the pain to hit the stage for theBig Four gig at the new Yankee Stadium after suffering an injury during Megadeth's recent Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour.

He wore a neckbrace as protection during the show, but admits one wrongmove could have put an end to his rock career.

Speaking to RollingStone.com before the concert, he said, "I was in a hospital (on Tuesday) morning, so I'm going home to get (neck) surgery right after this. "It's pretty bad.

If I move wrong tonight, I could be paralyzed". Mustaine reveals Megadeth almost pulled out of the gig - but he decidedto put his faith in a higher power and go through with the stadium set. He added, "We called and said I couldn't make (the gig).

And then I thought about it and I thought, 'You know what? I trust God and I know He's got me in his hands.' I know that he hasn't brought me this far through all this diversity and done all this reconciliation with all the (other) bands and us all getting along this well to have the finale show here in the States stopped.

And I just thought, either God's everything or it's nothing, and I believe in Him, so that's why I'm here". The rocker's surgery means Megadeth have been forced to delay an upcoming concert in Dubai, United Arab Emirates until December (11).