List of Metallica band members
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.[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 "Bass-soloing", and asked him to join Metallica.[2] Hetfield and Mustaine wanted McGovney out as he was known to get into fights with the other band members. They also 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 when the band's tour bus overturned 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—afraid to start recording with a new bassist too early, producer Bob Rock recorded all bass tracks on the album. 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]
Members
Current
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
James Hetfield | 1981–present | rhythm guitar, lead vocals | All Metallica releases |
|
Lars Ulrich | 1981–present | drums, percussion | All Metallica releases |
|
Kirk Hammett | 1983–present | lead guitar, backing vocals | All studio Metallica releases |
|
Robert Trujillo | 2003–present | bass, backing vocals | St. Anger (2003) (Studio Rehearsal DVD Bonus only), Death Magnetic (2008) |
Former
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron McGovney | 1981–1982 | bass guitar, backing vocals | Ron McGovney's '82 Garage demo (1982), Power Metal demo (1982), No Life 'til Leather (1982) | |
|
Dave Mustaine | 1981–1983 | lead guitar, backing vocals | All Metallica Demos up to Megaforce demo |
| Cliff Burton | Cliff Burton | 1982–1986 | bass, backing vocals | Kill 'Em All (1983), Ride the Lightning (1984), Master of Puppets (1986) |
| Jason Newsted | 1986–2001, 2009 (Live at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) | bass, backing vocals | All Metallica releases from The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987) to Mission: Impossible II Soundtrack (2001) |
Session musicians
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lloyd Grant | 1981 | lead guitar | "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 | 2003 | bass guitar | 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
- ^ "Metallica timeline Early 1981 – Early 1982". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
- ^ a b c "Metallica timeline Fall 1982 – April 16, 1983". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
- ^ Cecolini, Vinny (November 1998). "Foreclosure of a Team—Vinny Cecolini talks to Dave Mustaine". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
- ^ "Metallica timeline June 26, 1986 – September 27, 1986". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
- ^ a b "Metallica timeline October, 1986 – March, 1987". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
- ^ Basham, David (2001-01-17). "Bassist Jason Newsted Leaves Metallica". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ "Metallica timeline January 3, 2002 – March 19, 2003". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- ^ "Metallica timeline April, 2001 – December 4, 2001". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- ^ Some Kind of Monster feature film, Metallica, January 2004, Paramount Pictures
- ^ "Metallica's Lars Ulrich Hospitalized In Switzerland, Misses Show". Yahoo Music. 2004-06-07. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
- ^ Doughton, K.J. (1993). Metallica Unbound: The Unofficial Biography. Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-39486-6.
- ^ Barry Walters (2003-06-03). "Metallica—St. Anger". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
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