|
|
A Brief History of Metallica Metallica have easily been arguably the best, most influential and most respected Heavy Metal band of the 80's and the 90's. Instead of drifting off in their own success, they brought the music back down to Earth, back to the street, where it belongs. The band formed after a series of events in 1981: Lars Ulrich, a Danish born drummer living in the Bay Area of San Francisco, was looking for someone to 'jam' with. He put an add in the local Trading Post, 'The Recycler,' stating that he was interested in playing drums for a band. To answer his add was James Hetfield, a 19-year-old guitarist, also living in the Bay Area of San Francisco. The two started playing together their favorite Heavy Metal songs, such as those by such bands as Diamond Head, and Black Sabbath. Hetfield later asked roommate (and part-time bassist), Ron McGovney to join the band, and McGovney accepted the offer. The trio then recruited lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and the band was complete, or was it.... With Hetfield doubling up on vocals, the band recorded their first demos in mid-1981. The demos entitled "No Life 'Till Leather," became the product of bootleggers, and the band became popular among the Underground Heavy Metal community. Later, when Hetfield and Ulrich attended the concert of a fellow Bay Area band called Trauma, they were stunned by the 'volcanic' ability of Trauma's bassist: Cliff Burton. Subsequently, McGovney was kicked out of the band by Hetfield and Ulrich, and the very impressive Burton was asked to join Metallica. After some strenuous decision making, Burton decided to join. Metallica then started to play concerts, mainly as a warm-up band for established Metal acts such as Saxon, and Metallica's popularity grew, while they hadn't even released their first album yet. Mustaine, the band's lead guitarist became increasingly unpopular with the other three members of the band.
|
