James Hetfield wears a
skull ring that formerly
belonged to Cliff, he also
wears a wolf pendant..
both were bought
originally at the The
Great Frog in London.
James created the
original Metallica logo..
and is responsible for
the new 4M star logo.
James has appeared in
'guest roles' vocally on
Danzig's first album and
on CoC's latest,
Wiseblood.
James, unfortunately is the most hurt member of the band.
Spending time with his wrist in casts for skateboarding
accidents (he has since hung his board up). He was also
burned in a pyro mishap in 1992.
The Bare Facts
Born in Los Angeles, CA on 8-3-63
HT: 6'1" WT:180 lb
Recently married Francesca
Equipment
James plays ESP Explorer and flying V guitar's with EMG
pick ups and Ernie Ball strings, Mesa Boogie Tri-Axis
(crunch) and Roland Jazz Chorus (clean) are James' main
set up. James uses many different guitar/amp combo's for
different sounds in the studio.
Other Interests
James is lifelong, diehard Raiders fan; he is also a
hockey fan, most notably following the San Jose Sharks.
He is also an avid hunter and has been seen on the
slopes snowboarding.
Influences
He credits Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Ted Nugent for
inspiring his musical career.
Before Metallica
James worked in a sticker factory, as a high school
janitor, and as a mover, and played in bands like
Obsession, Leather Charm and Phantom Lord
Lars Ulrich likes to eat
Taco Bell, cheese,
mayonnaise and French
food.
It was his ad in the
Recycler that led to the
formation of Metallica.
Lars followed
DiamondHead on tour in
Europe before coming
back to LA and forming
Metallica.
He helped assemble a compilation of his favorite New
Wave of British Heavy Metal songs.
He recorded a drum track with Mercyful Fate for a remake
of their song Return of the Vampire.
Lars drinks Coors Light and Bombay Sapphire Gin
Martinis.
He has been known to occasionally pick of the singing
duties of Am I Evil.
The bare facts
Born in Gentofte, Denmark on 12-26-63
ht: 5'7" wt:130lbs.
Lars recently married Skylar.
Equipment
Tama Artstar II Drums with Remo heads, Easton Ahead
sticks and Zildjian Brilliant cymbals.
Other Interests
He likes scuba diving, skiing, going to the movies and
Oasis.
He likes to run to help keep in shape (note the word run,
not jog).
Lars follows the San Jose Sharks, the 49ers and the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Influences
DiamondHead, Motorhead, Deep Purple
Before Metallica
Lars was a paper boy and gas station attendant he also
spent a lot of his youth playing tennis.
Kirk Hammett drinks Martinis and
Guinness.
He was a founding member of San
Francisco's Exodus.
He went to the same school as
Primus' Les Claypool.
Kirk was asked to join Metallica
April 1, 1983. He flew from San
Francisco it New York to join the
band just before recording Kill Em
All.
Kirk's tattoo was a present to himself for Christmas 1995,
it reads: Born is SF 11-18-62. It's wrapped around his
belly button. He also has hot rod flames on his thighs.
Kirk has recently befriended Guitar Legend Carlos
Santana and played with him at a tribute concert.
Kirk produced Death Angel's original demo's and has
contributed solo's for Metallica artist Pushead's band
Septic Death, and played on Pansy Division's cover of
Breaking the Law.
The Bare Facts
Born in San Francisco, CA on11-18-62
HT:5'7" WT:134
Kirk is married to Lani Hammett.
Equipment
ESP, along with various vintage guitars, uses Dean
Markely strings and Mesa Boogie Amps.
Other Interests
Kirk likes to mountain bike and collect horror movie
related stuff, comic book.
Influences
Jimi Hendrix, UFO, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led
Zeppelin, Kiss and Joe Satriani
Before Metallica
Kirk once worked at Burger King and as a dishwasher.
Jason Newsted was selected
from 2 days of auditions to
become Metallica's bass
player after the loss of Cliff.
Before joining the band his
favorite song was 'Whiplash.'
Jason's brother, Tim, teaches
Elementary School.
Jason's other recorded works
include 2 albums with his
former band Flotsam &
Jetsam.
Jason's first gig with Metallica was opening for Metal
Church at The Country Club in Reseda in the first week of
November 1986.
Besides sandwiches, Jason loves BBQ food and fine,
thick red wine
The Bare Facts
Born 3-4-63 in Battle Creek MI.
HT: 5'9"WT:150
He is divorced.
Equipment
Plays Sadowsky basses live, with Labella strings and
Ampeg amps... and uses a variety of basses, guitars and
amps in studio.
Other Interests
Jason follows The Phoenix Suns, the Chicago Bulls in the
NBA, The Detroit Lions and the Raiders in the NFL.
You can also find him busy mountain biking, playing
basketball or jamming any type of music.
Influences
Jason sites Kiss, Rush, Black Sabbath and Ted Nugent
as influences.
Before Metallica
Jason was in Flotsam & Jetsam.
Cliff Burton brought a new
level of integrity to the
band when he made his
debut with Metallica on
March 5th, 1983. He can
perhaps be considered
the epitome of the
Metallica philosophy and
attitude. His approach
was simple, be who you
are. Even at a young age,
it was obvious he had the
fortitude to carry it out.
At age 14, bass guitar
would be his forte for life.
He was largely self taught. He did take bass lessons at a
local music store, where he was introduced to styles
ranging from classical to jazz. He also took some junior
college courses. He went on to play with Jim Martin in the
band EZ Street and the one time "Battle Of The Bands"
lineup, "Agents Of Misfortune". By the early 1980s, he was
holding down the bass duties for the prominent Bay Area
band, Trauma.
It wasn't long until a very young Metallica got wind of this
upcoming bass player. Dummer Lars Ulrich and
singer/rhythm guitarist, James Hetfield sought after Cliff at
one of Trauma's gigs at the famous Whiskey in LA. Cliff
played the bass guitar like no ever had before. His solos
drew on many styles, with odd jazz timings and
psychedelic melodies. However, mere noise it was not.
His solos were superbly executed, with much feeling and
finesse.
What was so captivating about his playing was his "lead
bass" approach, a term coined by former Metallica roadie
David Marrs, after seeing Cliff at that historic Trauma
show. After many months of pleas and phone calls, Cliff
agreed to join Metallica. However, he would only join if the
band would relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area. They
agreed.
He went on to appear on the bands next 3 albums.
Beginning with the innovative "Kill Em All", to the maturity
of "Ride The Lightning" and the groundbreaking release,
"Master Of Puppets". His contributions on MOP are
apparent. Abounding in Classical influences, it was their
most solid effort to date. Cliff's bass lines, as if holding it
all together, were even more intricate and prominent. His
melancholy instrumental composition "Orion", is one of the
highlights of the album. However, Master Of Puppets
would become his rather premature swan song.
On Septemeber 26th, 1986, Metallica played in
Stockholm Sweden. That night along with a spectacular
bass solo, Cliff delivered a very melodic, and stirring
version of the Star Spangled Banner! This would be Cliff's
final performance. Around dawn the next morning, while en
route to their next gig, Metallica's tour bus was involved in
a fatal accident. The one fatality was Cliff.
His impression is long lasting. His unforgettable image is
that of his faded bell bottoms, his jean jacket, a flannel and
his constant headbanging and his wild, free flying red hair.
Ironically, someone once dubbed "the major rager on the
four-stringed-mother-fucker", could also be sensitive,
thoughtful, compassionate and brutally honest.
The Bare Facts
Born in at Eden Hospital Castro Valley CA, at 9:38 pm, on
February 10th, 1962. A lifelong Castro Valley resident.
Transportation
His transportation was an unreliable green Volkswagon,
dubbed "The Grasshopper". As a teenager he worked for
an equipment rental yard.
Equipment
Guitars- Rickenbacker 4001, Alembic Spoiler, Aria Pro II
Amplification- Mesa Boogie 4"x12" Cabinets & 1"x15"
Cabinets
Effects- Morley Power Wah Boost.
Other Interests
Mexican food, pier fishing, hunting, jamming & hanging out
with his two best friends Dave and Jim.
Influences
Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, Geddy Lee of Rush,
Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath and Jazz bassist Stanley
Clarke.
Favorite Composer & Bands
Bach, Pink Floyd, The Misfits, Samhain, Thin Lizzy,
R.E.M., Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Velvet Underground
and Judas Priest.
Before Metallica
Early bands were Easy Street, Agents Of Misfortune, and
Trauma