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James Hetfield
Born:
August 3, 1963
From:
Los Angeles
Personal:
Married, 3 Children
Instrument:
Vocals, Guitar
Vitals:
Blue eyes, blonde hair, 6'1"/1.85 meters
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When it comes
to defining Metallica, most people use
James Hetfield as their guide. There's
never any bullshit with James and there's
never any shirking of duties. Example?
When he threw his back out on the Summer
Sanitarium 2000 tour, James ploughed
his way through three weeks of intense
physical therapy in four days, according
to his physical therapist. And when
the going got really tough, and James
needed help in 2001, he sought it out,
took it on and came back stronger than
ever. It is precisely this sort of fierce,
unbending dedication, devotion and spirit
which has made James such an inspirational
focal point through the years for millions
of fans.
Ironically, the voice of Metallica (indeed,
a defining voice of his rock'n'roll
generation) very nearly wasn't a voice
at all, simply because in the early
days, James Hetfield didn't fancy being
a lead vocalist. Metallica tried a few
different vocal/guitar configurations.
Some of the options considered included
adding another
guitar player, having then-lead guitar
player Dave Mustaine play the sole guitar
and asking John Bush from Armored Saint
to sing for the band. Of course common
sense prevailed, James decided to fight
harder to establish himself as a frontman
and the results are, ahem, history
To trace the roots of Hetfield's unflinching
dedication and determination, you have
to go back to a childhood that was often
tough but laid a foundation, which underscores
James today. Born to a truck driver
and light opera singer on August 3rd,
1963, in Los Angeles, his family's Christian
Science religious beliefs played a large
part in the young Hetfield's life, and
subsequently form a central point for
many of Metallica's lyrics. He was 9
years old when he first took piano lessons
before taking on brother David's drums
and finally picking up a guitar in his
pre-teens.
With the likes of Black Sabbath, Led
Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy providing inspiration,
James quickly set about the task of
becoming a rock star in his first band,
Obsession. Made up of the Veloz brothers
on bass and drums, with Jim Arnold on
guitar, plenty of time was spent in
the Veloz's garage jamming with Ron
McGoveny and Dave Marrs acting as roadies.
McGovney subsequently stepped in alongside
Marrs and Hetfield when the Veloz brothers
incarnation ended.
After moving to Brea, California, James
attended Brea Olinda High School and
met up with drummer Jim Mulligan. The
two jammed at lunch time scaring fellow
guitarists with their loud and heavy
sounds before a guy called Hugh Tanner
was seen carrying around part of a flying
V guitar at school. Phantom Lord was
born with Hugh on guitar, Mulligan on
drums and James singing plus playing
guitar. The group went through a few
bass players until graduation when James
moved back to Downey.
Back in Downey, James moved into a house
owned by Ron McGovney's parents that
was slated for demolition due to an
expressway expansion. It was the perfect
place for James and Ron to crash, rehearse
and jam. James talked Ron into taking
up bass, Phantom Lord was no more and
the third band under Hetfield's leadership.
Leather Charm, was born. The only difference
between Charm and Lord, was James singing
without guitar and Ron playing bass
guitar, Hugh Tanner and Jim Mulligan
retaining their former 'Lord positions.
Leather Charm was a largely hard rock
combo, playing some originals and covers
such as Iron Maiden's 'Remember Tomorrow'
amongst others. The band managed to
perform at a few parties and recorded
a demo, but then began to fall apart.
First Tanner left the band (replaced
by Troy James), then Mulligan left for
a more progressive, Rush-like band.
And with no drummer, the band was forced
to call it quits. Although it was Mulligan's
departure that led to James searching
for a new drummer, we can safely say
that Hugh Tanner was responsible for
the catalytic moment which would change
the course of James Hetfield's life
and out him on the path to achieving
his childhood ambition. How? Simple...Tanner
introduced James to Lars Ulrich. The
rest, as you'll read elsewhere, is a
long, illustrious (occasionally curious)
and still-evolving history...
James is the main songwriter in Metallica,
co-creating the framework and structure
for most Metallimaterial. When he's
not writing, singing or playing, James
enjoys a variety of outdoor activities
including hunting, snowboarding, water
and jet-skiing, sketching, annoying
neighbors with guns and loud pipes on
his chopper "The Saga", watching his
favorite Oakland Raiders and going to
hot-rod shows. He also collects older
guitars (particularly those from 1963)
and enjoys working on old cars. Amongst
his favorites are a '55 Chevy BelAir
(which he helped built and restore himself),
and 'The Beast', a fearsome all-terrain
4-wheel drive Blazer that is designed
to survive everything from earthquakes
to nuclear holocausts. Aside from these
pursuits, James is often happiest spending
time with his wife Francesca and three
children, Cali, Castor, and Marcella.
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