The history of Metallica from four angry teenagers to what
they are now, from the death of Cliff Burton to the birth of James daughter Cali, the band
continue to grow...
February 10, 1962: Cliff Burton, bassist for Metallica's first three albums, is born.
November 18, 1962: Kirk Hammett is born in San Francisco, California
March 4, 1963: Jason Newsted, Cliff's replacement, is born in Battle Creek, Michigan
August 3, 1963: Jaymz Alan Hetfield is born in Los Angeles, California
December 26, 1963: Lars Ulrich is born in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he lives until the
late '70s. When his parents decide to move to Newport Beach, in the vicinity of Los
Angeles.
1973: Lars, at age 9, goes to his first concert, when Deep Purple played in Copenhagen. He
enjoys the concert so much he starts to collect albums by Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy.
Later he discovers
the NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal). He then discovers bands like Iron Maiden,
Saxon, Sweet Savage and Diamond Head, which influenced his musical direction.
Late 1976: Lars get his first drum kit from his Grandparents
1980: Ulrich, now 17 flies to Britain to Diamond Head, his favourite band, play. He meets
the singer Sean Harris and he hangs with the band for a month. He soon learns about the
band Merciful Fate,
another band in the NWOBHM. He returns to Los Angeles to try and make his own NWOBHM band.
Early 1981: Lars puts an ad in a paper called The Recycler, trying to find musicians to
make a band with. Jaymz, who put an ad in the same paper, gets together with Lars for a
jam session. Lars listens
to some of his NWOBHM records getting Jaymz into the type of music. The two of them decide
to form a band. Desperate for a good band name, they dismiss all the cliché options like
Grinder, Blitzer,
and Red Vette, and settle on the name METALLICA, which Lars steals from a fanzine editor
friend.
Late 1981: Metallica puts a song a on compilation LP called Metal Massacre 1, featuring
metal bands from the L.A. area. The song they put on the album was called "Hit The
Lights" (sound familiar?).
The band at that time was Lars on the drums, Jaymz on rhythm guitar, bass and vocals, and
Lloyd Grant, on the lead guitar.
January 1982: Metallica picks up Dave Mustain, a friend of Jaymz, which plays lead guitar.
Around the same time Metallica picks up Ron McGovney, Hetfield's roommate, to play bass.
March 1982: Metallica opens for Saxon at Whiskey A Go Go in L.A.. The show was a hit,
consisting of covers by Diamond Head, Savage, and Sweet Savage. A bootleg of this show is
one of the most
sought-after tapes on the trading market.
April 1982: Metallica (Jaymz, Lars, Dave, and Ron) record a 4-song demo featuring
"Hit The Lights", "The Mechanix," "Jump In The Fire" and
"Motorbreath." sowing the seeds for Metallica's next demo.
May 28, 1982: Metallica opens as a 5 piece at The Concert Factory in L.A. with Lars, Dave,
Ron, Jaymz only singing, and Jeff Warner on rhythm guitar, the band doesn't work because
Dave wouldn't
allow Jeff to play lead. The band discards Jeff, going back to their first line-up.
July 1982: Metallica records "No Life 'Till Leather," featuring the songs from
their first demo as well as "Metal Militia," "Seek And Destroy," and
"Phantom Lord." After this demo the metal underground
considers Metallica "Gods."
August 1982: Cliff Burton and his band Trauma, play at the Whiskey A Go Go, Where Jaymz
and Lars first see the blessed-demon. They are so impressed with Cliff that they want him
to be in Metallica.
He refuses. later on that year Cliff agrees to join only if Metallica relocate to San
Franciso.
September 18, 1982: Metallica establish a strong following by playing at the Keystone in
San Franciso, with the bands on the Metal Massacre 1 compilation. Metallica play all 7
songs off of "No Life 'Till
Leather," and two Diamond Head songs, leaving the 200-or-so people to attend in
complete shock. Soon afterwards playing all over San Franciso.
October 1982: Metallica support Laaz Rockit in San Fransico.
November 11, 1982: Metallica play as to support to Y&T at the Woodstock in L.A.
November 29, 1982: Metallica play as the headliner in the Bay Area. The supporting act was
Exodus featuring Kirk Hammett, 20 years old at the time.
November 30, 1982: Metallica plays their last concert with Ron at the Mabuhay Gardens in
San Franciso.
December 1982: Jaymz, Lars, and Dave move to San Franciso, moving in at 3132 Carlson
Boulevard, the home of soundman Mark Whitaker.
January 1983: Johny "Z" Zazula, a record store owner/concert promoter in New
Jersey invites Metallica to come do some shows on the East Coast.
February 15, 1983: Metallica complete their move to San Franciso, Lars and Jaymz share a
place with Mark, while Dave ends up at Mark's grandmother's.
Late February, 1983: Metallica now with Cliff record a two track demo featuring the songs
"No Remorse" and "Whiplash."
March 5, 1983: Metallica plays first show with Cliff at the Stone in San Franciso.
Late March, 1983: Metallica, with Mark make a 3,000+ miles trip to the East Coast. On the
way over Metallica and Dave have many arguments, mostly because of Dave's alcohol intake.
April 1983: In New York, Jaymz and Lars decide to kick Dave out of the band. Following a
series of show with Vandenberg and The Rods on the East Coast, Dave gets sent home via
Greyhound bus, and
Kirk Hammett of Exodus is flown in as a replacement.
May 10-27, 1983: Metallica records "Kill Em All" in the Barrett Alley Studios in
Rochester, New York.
July 1983: "Kill Em All" is released on Megaforce Records in the USA, and Music
For Nations and Roadrunner in Europe.
July 27-September 3, 1983: Metallica start their first tour with labelmates Raven, which
starts in New Brunswick and ends with a sold-out show at the stone in San Francisco.
December 1983: Metallica starts work for their second album in New Jersey. The songs put
together were "Fade To Black" "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and
"Trapped Under Ice." On the weekends,
Metallica plays a series of headlining shows with Anthrax, After the last show, most of
Metallica's gear gets stolen.
Early February 1984: Metallica embark on the Seven Dates Of Hell tour supporting Venom.
The highlight of the tour is at the Aardschok festival in Zwolle, Holland, where they
played in front of 5,000
fans.
Late February 1984: Metallica goes to Copenhagen, where they stay at Merciful Fate's
rehearsal rooms, where they work on tracks for the next album. The band joins with
producer Flemming
Rasmussen at Sweet Silence Studios in the same building to begin recording the LP
March 1984: Metallica takes a break from recording their next album to head to England,
where Music For Nations has organised a tour as support to The Rods. However, as soon as
the band arrive in
the UK, they learn that the tour had been cancelled because of poor advance ticket sales.
Un-able to re-enter Sweet Silence to complete work on the LP, Metallica plays two sold out
shows at the
Marquee club in London on March 14 and 27.
June 1984: Metallica finish work on Ride The Lightning an play four show with Twisted
Sister.
August 1984: Metallica play a showcase gig in New York, featuring Anthrax (openers) and
Raven (headliners). Attending the show are Cliff Burnsteind, co-founder of Q-Prime
Management, and Michael
Alago, A&R director, of Elektra Records, both of whom walk away suitably impressed
with Metallica. Soon, Metallica becomes part of Q-Prime Management, as well as recording
artist for Elektra. Initially
issued through the Megaforce label, Ride The Lightning is eventually re-released through
Elektra.
November 18-December 20, 1984: Metallica start first major European tour, with Tank
supporting, in Paris, France, and ending at the Lyceum in London. An average of 1,300 fans
turns up for each
show.
Early 1985: The first three months of the year are spent co-headling with W.A.S.P., with
Ammored Saint supporting. Then Metallica play as the Headliners.
May-July, 1985: Metallica take a break before starting work on new album
August, 1985: On the 17, Metallica play in between Ratt and Bon Jovi at the Castle
Donnington festival in England, in front of 70,000 people. A week latter they perform in
front of 90,000 people in
Oakland, California at the Days On The Green festival. The next day, Lars goes to
Copenhagen to start working on drum tracks for the next album, joining up with the rest of
the crew a few days later.
September 14, 1985: Metallica play a new song called "Disposable Heroes" at the
Metal Hammer festival in Germany.
December 27, 1985: Metallica finish Master Of Puppets and go back to San Francisco
New Year's Eve, 1986: Metallica plays the Civic Centre in San Francisco, with Megadeth
(first and last time), Metal Church and Exodus.
January, 1986: Master Of Puppets is mixed in L.A. under guidance of Michael Wagenar,
followed by a press tour of Europe, which Lars takes care of. While Lars talks about the
record across the
Atlantic, Jaymz and Cliff form a band called Spastic Children, featuring Fred Cotton on
vocals, Jack McDaniel on guitar, Cliff on Bass, and Jaymz drumming.
February, 1986: Jaymz and Lars head to the Bahamas for a break after the release of Master
Of Puppets.
March, 1986: Master Of Puppets gets released, then a tour in the states supporting Ozzy,
beginning on March 27.
June 26, 1986: Jaymz breaks a wrist trying to skateboard down a hill. All dates remaining
on the tour had Jaymz only singing while Kirk's roadie, John Marshall is on rhythm.
September 10, 1986: Metallica headline London's legendary Hammersmith Odeon, with Anthrax
supporting.
September 27, 1986: Cliff Burton is killed in a bus crash on the way to Copenhagen.
October, 1986: The rest of the band returns to America with disbelief. Soon the group
starts to audition
new bassists. Jason Newsted from Flotsam & Jetsam fills the place.
November 8, 1986: Metallica play first show with Jason at the Country Club in L.A.
November 9-14, 1986: Metallica begins a tour with Metal Church supporting in Canada and
the East
Coast of America.
January-February, 1987: Metallica and Metal Church tour Europe, playing East Europe for
the first time,
ending in Gothenburg, Sweden on February 13.
May 1987: Jaymz breaks his arm skateboarding, for a while playing Europe's annual Monsters
Of Rock
festival in August becomes questionable.
August, 1987: Metallica warm up for Monsters Of Rock at London's 100 club. Metallica plays
3 shows
at Donnington, Nurnberg and Pfordsheim in front of 200,000 people, afterwards they release
Garage
Days Re-Revisited.
December 4, 1987: Metallica put out a video titled "Cliff Em All" a tribute to
Cliff. with a collection of
bootleg and unprofessional recordings show during 1982-86. Within 2 months it goes both
platinum and
gold. By the end of 1988 it becomes the year's top-selling music home video.
January 19, 1988: Metallica officially begin recording their fourth album, ...And Justice
For All.
May, 1988: Metallica complete recording process of And Justice For All and begin mixing
while
preparing 2 month tour as part of the US Monsters Of Rock package. May 27 tour begins in
East Troy,
Wisconsin.
July, 1988: Master Of Puppets goes platinum
September 5, 1988: And Justice For All is released
September 11, 1988: Metallica play a sold out show in Budapest, Hungary supporting their
new album.
November 15, 1988: US tour begins in Toledo, Ohio, with Queensryche opening
December 6, 1988: The band film their fir-ever video "One," in L.A. a day before
the first of their two-night appearance at the Long Beach Arena.
February 5, 1989: Metallica's show at the Reunion Arena in Dallas is broadcast nationally
via the Z-Rock radio network.
February 22, 1989: Metallica play "One" on national TV as part of the Grammy
Awards, where the band was nominated in the Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Group. But lost to
Jethro Tull.
April 21, 1989: The Cult take Queensryche's place on Metallica's tour.
October 8, 1989: Metallica ends their Damaged Justice tour in Sao Paulo, Brazil
January, 1990: Metallica record the Queen song "Stone Cold Crazy" to go on a
compilation LP celebrating Elektra Records' 40-year Anniversary.
May, 1990: Metallica play several European festivals alongside WarriorSoul and Dio. A
couple imprompt appearances at London's Hippodrome and a secret gig at The Marquee (under
the name Vertigo).
June, 1990: Metallica play a few stadium shows with Aerosmith and Warrant in northern New
York and Canada.
July-September, 1990: Metallica begin work on their 5th album.
Early October, 1990: Metallica enter One On One Studios in L.A. with producer Bob Rock to
befin recording 12 songs for their next album.
October, 1990 - July, 1991: Metallica and Bob Rock make sure Metallica's next album sounds
exactly how they want it. The LP is remixed 3 times.
August 12, 1991: "The Black Album" is released, within a week of release, it
sells over 600,000 units in the US alone, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Pop Chart and
stays there for a month.
1991-1993: After "The Black Album" is released, the band plays more than 300
shows in 37 countries.
February 1991: Metallica wins a Grammy for "Best Heavy Metal Performance" for
their rendition of Queen's "Stone Cold Crazy" From Elektra's Rubaiyat
compilation
Summer 1992: Metallica tour with Guns N Roses
Summer 1994: Shit in the Sheds tour!
October 1994: Lars and Jaymz begin work on Load
February 15, 1995: Metallica shows up to play for KNAC-FM, because it was the stations
last day on the radio.
February 1995: Metallica and Bob Rock enter The Plant in Sausalito, California to begin
recording load. They come up with enough to fill a double album and debate on what to do,
they decide to release
load as a 70 minute long CD and wait a year to release the other CD.
December 14, 1995: Metallica honour Lemmy from Motorhead at his birthday bash at the
Whisky. They play under the name "The Lemmys," and perform a set of Motorhead
covers dressed as Lemmy.
June 4, 1996: Load is released.
June, 1996: Metallapalooza begins with Metallica and Soundgarden as the Headliners and
others supporting the tour, bands such as the Ramones, and Rancid.
Summer/Fall 1996: Metallica Tours Europe
November 13, 1996: Metallica recorded 3 live songs for the TV program "Later With
Jools Holland," on the British channel BBC2. Among the songs were "Wasting My
Hate," "Mama Said," and "King
Nothing." They played the songs live. It was broadcast on November 16th.
November 14, 1996: Metallica tricked MTV Europe at their Video Awards show. Metallica was
supposed to play "King Nothing" and as the lights went down and the band started
playing "Last Caress"
and "So What?" leaving the people that hated them dazed and the fans going
crazy. The band was nominated for "Best Rock Video," but lost to the Smashing
Pumpkins. Jaymz later said in an interview
"We needed to wake people up at the show! We felt it was a little boring, and we had
been daring each other to do that for years."
November 18, 1996: The single Mama Said is released world wide.
November 18 & 19, 1996: Apocalyptica opens for Metallica in Helsinki, Finland.
January 17, 1997: King Nothing premiered on MTV.
January 26, 1997: Lars got married to his long time girlfriend Skylar. Lars had told
everyone that they weren't going to so no one would interrupt the marriage.
January 27, 1997: Metallica performed "King Nothing" on the AMA and won best
metal/hard rock album. During the thanks, Lars said, "I would like to thank this man,
James Hetfield, for putting on his
best suit and being my best man at my wedding last night."
February 22, 1997: Ted Nugent was guest star at the show at Palace Of Auburn Hills. They
weren't too happy with him for what he did. Ted basically forced his way into their show,
then ruined
everything.
August 22-24, 1997: Metallica took a break from recording to play 3 festivals in Europe.
First day was at the Pukkelpop festival in Hasselt, Belgium. Second Day was at the
Blindman's Ball Festival,
Stuttgart, Germany. The third was at the Reading Festival, Reading, U.K.
October 6, 1997: In order to promote ReLoad Metallica wanted to hold a free concert, but
they didn't know where at. They gave the fans a few details and a 800 telephone number
where they could call in
to make suggestions. The show had to be on Tuesday, November 11 (Veteran's Day), outdoors.
Because this had to be a free concert for anyone wishing to make the trip. Over 120,000
Metallica fans
called in.
October 10, 1997: Anton Corbijn took pictures of Metallica live for the booklet for
ReLoad. There was
also two more photo shoots after the release, for press use.
October 18, 1997: Metallica played an entirely acoustic the 11th Annual Bridge School
Benefit Shows at Shoreline Amphitheatre, San Francisco. The set around a hour. On Friday
Alice in Chains' Jerry
Cantrellcame out to play with Metallica for the song "Tuesdays Gone" by Lynrd
Skynrd. Metallica also played Lowman's Lyric for the first time. On Saturday Metallica
played the second Annual Bridge
School Benefit Show as well. The sets were the same except they didn't play Low Mans
Lyric, instead they played another new tune called "My Eye's".
October 20 & 21, 1997: The band shot the "Memory remains" video at the Van
Nuys Airport in L.A.. It cost Metallica around $400.000.00. Which featured Metallica in a
huge revolving box that cost them
around $100.000.00. The video premiered on November 15, 1997 on MTV's Mattrock.
October 26, 1997: The final day for the fans to call in to suggest a place for Metallica
to play the free concert. Metallica wound up playing in the CoreStates Arena parking lot
in Philadelphia.
November 7, 1997: South Philadelphians that didn't want the concert to go on went court to
try to stop the free outdoor concert. Vincent Fumo asked his lawyer, Christopher Craig, to
see what he could
do. Craig spent all day drafting a request for an injunction that he delivered to Common
Pleas.
November 11, 1997: Metallica's free concert, called the "Million Decibel March,"
was a great. They opened up with Jaymz playing the famous ESPN Sportscenter music on his
guitar. a local newspaper
called the Philadelphia Inquirer said this about the show: "It was part burlesque
show, part rugby match, and hearing-loss loud. The band was profane on stage and charming
before the show. Police
pronounced the fans better behaved than a Philadelphia Eagles crowd. And neighbours who
feared the worst from the self-styled Loudest Band in the World complained more about the
sound from the
news choppers circling overhead."
November 12, 1997: Memory Remains single released in America.
November 13, 1997: Metallica play a free show at London's premier dance venue Ministry Of
Sound to promote "Re-Load." After the show Lars said "I've never heard of
the Ministry Of Sound but I'm sure
Metallica playing there will make it a hit!"
December 6, 1997: Metallica performed live on Saturday Night Live.
March 1998: The tour in supporting Reload will start in Asia. They will visit Australia as
well.
March 1998: The live film will be completed in March 1998. 52 minutes of the film will be
available for launch parties world-wide, completed with personalised IDs. The band have
said that they may
consider use of the promotional film for TV broadcasts.
