A Metallica Biography (Part 1): The Early Years
By Max on Mar 14, 2008 in Artists, Featured
It’s amazing that just one word and four syllables can prompt so many ideas, thoughts and opinions. Just muttering the word automatically brings a rush of songs, lyrics and visual stimuli from videos, striking that dark place in a rocker’s heart where he must tread for identity with the pains of life.
Say it with me. Metallica. Just looking at the word has probably already reminded you of a favorite poster, music video or perhaps the snarling face of James Hetfield himself. Metallica is a world renowned band with seemingly endless success, a lust for the crowds and a deep history.
The Band is Formed
1981, after being rejected by Metal Church, Lars Ulrich put an ad in the L.A. Recycler, advertising that he would like to meet other musicians to ‘jam’ with. Hugh Tanner and Hetfield, of then band Leather Charm, answered. Soon after the three met up, Ulrich stole the name Metallica from his friend Quintana, who was trying to come up with a catchy fan magazine name.
Despite Tanner only being with the band a short time, James, Lars and Dave Mustaine recorded their first song Hit The Lights for the Metal Massacre 1 Compilation with Lloyd Grant on guitar. Despite their name being misspelled on the album cover, Hit The Lights created plenty of PR and prompted their first live show on March 14th in 1982. At this point, Metallica had once again replaced their bassist with Ron McGovney.
Fall of 82 presented more opportunity for Metallica. Ulrich and Hetfield went to the Whisky where they saw Cliff Burton performing in a band called Trauma. Burton, who was known for his heavy use of distortion and effects on his bass, an unusual practice, displayed a natural talent. Lars and James enjoyed his performance so much, that after the show, they asked him to join them so that McGovney could be replaced. Burton originally refused but later took the job, only requiring that the band move to San Francisco. And they did for a brief while.
Money issues with the band’s label, drug and alcoholism on Mustaines behalf and a plethora of other factors forced Mustaine out of the band and welcomed Kirk Hammett. Together, the new Metallica played their first show with Hammett in April of 1983 at The Showplace in Dover. The Mustaine split caused a raucous and the band’s hard personality shines through during times like this.
Later in 1983 the band went to New York where they recorded their first official album named Metal Up Your Ass. Controversy amongst the business men at the record label and the distributors, forced the renaming of the album to Kill ‘Em All. The album was released on Megaforce Records and was a success for the band’s underground PR. This was the breaking point for Metallica and put them on the Billboard 200, though not very high.
In 1984 Metallica traveled with Venom and performed with them at the Aardschok Festival in Holland. Later that same year, they recorded Ride The Lightning in Copenhagen and released it shortly after. Ride The Lightning hit the Billboard 200 a bit higher than Kill ‘Em All and marked another mild success for the band.
Success Happens
The year: Still 1984. Cliff Burnstein of Q-Prime Management and Elektra Records director Michael Alago stumbled across Metallica at one of their random concerts. Shortly after Metallica was signed to Elektra Records and became represented by Q-Prime. Their first big tour ensued in Europe shortly after and upon returning to the U.S. they began headlining with Armored Saint and W.A.S.P.
August 1985 marked their biggest show yet with the Monsters of Rock Festival. Ratt and Bon Jovi were among the other artists that played the Monsters of Rock at Donington Park, England with around 70,000 fans. Shortly after, Metallica also played in front of 55,000-60,000 at the Day on the Green Festival.
In March of 1986 Metallica released their 3rd album, Master of Puppets.
This album was marked at 29 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the charts for over 70 weeks. Master of Puppets marked the big beginning for Metallica’s long and successful career but was a bitter sweet triumph when in September of 86, the band’s tour bus drove out of control, tipping on its side and crushing bassist Cliff Burton. The band was devastated but with the blessing of his family, they replaced him with Jason Newsted and moved forward.
What it All Means
There is nothing more telling than that of a artistic human being that has come from a place of tragedy, success, failure, pain and happiness. Individually, each member of Metallica, former and current, has a unique and deep rooted story to tell. While I have only been able to outline the very beginning of their amazing lives and careers, the story does not begin or end here. History has a way of beginning and ending throughout the generations only to begin and end again. Rock on. Read on. More Metallica articles coming your way.
