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List of Metallica band members

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List of Metallica band members

Metallica is an American heavy metal band founded in 1981 in Los Angeles, California, by drummer Lars Ulrich. Early that year, Ulrich posted an advertisement in a local newspaper, leading to James Hetfield being recruited to sing and play rhythm guitar. After a second advertisement, Dave Mustaine from Panic was hired as a lead guitarist. By March 1982, Ron McGovney had been recruited to play bass guitar.[1]

In the fall of 1982, Ulrich and Hetfield attended a show that featured Trauma bassist Cliff Burton; the two were "blown away" by Burton's use of a wah-wah pedal, and asked him to join Metallica.[2] Hetfield and Mustaine wanted McGovney out as they thought that he "didn't contribute anything, he just followed." Although Burton initially declined the offer, at the end of the year he accepted the invitation on the condition that the band move to San Francisco.[2] Mustaine was kicked out of the band due to his drug and alcohol abuse, as well as his violent behavior.[3] Exodus guitarist Kirk Hammett flew in to replace Mustaine that same afternoon, and Metallica played its first show with Hammett in April 1983. Under this format, the band went on to release three albums.[2]

On September 27, 1986, Cliff Burton died in a car accident while touring in Sweden, which left Metallica's future in doubt.[4] The three remaining members decided that Burton would want them to carry on, and with the Burton family's blessings, the band sought a replacement.[5] Of the roughly 40 people who tried out, Jason Newsted, formerly of Flotsam and Jetsam, was chosen to replace Burton.[5] For almost 15 years, the band's lineup remained unchanged until Newsted decided to leave in January 2001, citing "personal and private reasons".[6] Newsted later joined the Canadian thrash metal band Voivod in 2002.[7] In July 2001, Hetfield entered rehab due to "alcoholism and other addictions" and all recording plans were put on hiatus, as the band's future became uncertain. Hetfield, however, returned to play in December the same year.[8]

The band went on to release an album (St. Anger) without an official bassist—the bass guitar was played by the band's producer Bob Rock. After the release, Metallica held auditions for Newsted's permanent replacement. Following three months of auditions, Robert Trujillo, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies and Ozzy Osbourne's band, was chosen as the new bassist.[9] In 2004, Ulrich was rushed to hospital with an unknown illness, and was unable to perform. The Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, the Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison, and Ulrich's drum technician Flemming Larsen helped out with Ulrich's part.[10]

Current members

Lars Ulrich
Active: 1981–present
Instruments: drums, percussion
Release contributions: all Metallica releases
James Hetfield
Active: 1981–present
Instruments: rhythm guitar, lead vocals
Release contributions: all Metallica releases
Kirk Hammett
Active: 1983–present
Instruments: lead guitar
Release contributions: all Metallica releases
Robert Trujillo
Active: 2003–present
Instruments: bass, backing vocals
Release contributions: Death Magnetic (2008)

Former members

Ron McGovney
Active: 1981–1982
Instruments: bass guitar, backing vocals
Dave Mustaine
Active: 1981–1983
Instruments: lead guitar, backing vocals
Cliff Burton
Active: 1982–1986
Instruments: bass, backing vocals
Release contributions: Kill 'Em All (1983), Ride the Lightning (1984), Master of Puppets (1986)
Jason Newsted
Active: 1986–2001
Instruments: bass, backing vocals
Release contributions: all Metallica releases from The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987) to S&M (1999)

Session musicians

Lloyd Grant
Active: 1981
Instruments: lead guitar
Release contributions: "Hit the Lights" — Only on the first pressing of the original Metal Massacre compilation. On the subsequent pressings, a different version of the song with Dave Mustaine playing the lead part is used.[11]
Bob Rock
Active: 2003
Instruments: bass guitar
Release contributions: St. Anger - While being the band's producer between 1991 and 2003, he was never officially a band member, but played the bass guitar for the released 2003 album.[12]

Timeline

References

General
  • Metallica (January 2004). Some Kind of Monster (DVD Documentary). Paramount Pictures.
Specific
  1. ^ "Metallica timeline Early 1981 – Early 1982". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
  2. ^ a b c "Metallica timeline Fall 1982 – April 16, 1983". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
  3. ^ Cecolini, Vinny (November 1998). "Foreclosure of a Team—Vinny Cecolini talks to Dave Mustaine". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 2008-12-22. {{cite journal}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help)
  4. ^ "Metallica timeline June 26, 1986 – September 27, 1986". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  5. ^ a b "Metallica timeline October, 1986 – March, 1987". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
  6. ^ Basham, David (2001-01-17). "Bassist Jason Newsted Leaves Metallica". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
  7. ^ "Metallica timeline January 3, 2002 – March 19, 2003". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
  8. ^ "Metallica timeline April, 2001 – December 4, 2001". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
  9. ^ Some Kind of Monster feature film, Metallica, January 2004, Paramount Pictures
  10. ^ "Metallica's Lars Ulrich Hospitalized In Switzerland, Misses Show". Yahoo Music. 2004-06-07. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
  11. ^ Doughton, K.J. (1993). Metallica Unbound: The Unofficial Biography. Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-39486-6.
  12. ^ Barry Walters (2003-06-03). "Metallica—St. Anger". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-12-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)