For most of the rock and metal musicians you meet the response to "Who inspired you to begin
playing?" Metallica will spring forth father than a jack out of his box. Why is this? Because Metallica has
sold at least 57 million albums in the U.S. and 35 million albums international, making them of the most
successful bands to ever grave the music scene. Metallica is currently ranked 18th on the RIAA's
(Recoding Industry Association of America) list of top selling acts in the United States.
Metallica was formed in 1981 in Downey, California by Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield, to which met
through a musician's classifieds. The original members, James, Lars, Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), and
Ron McGovney released the first demo "No Life 'til Leather" in 1982. Through the shifting or members,
including the removal of Mustaine to be replaced by Kirk Hammett (Exodus), and McGovney for Clif
Burton, who later died on September 27 1986 in a tragic bus accident, Metallica marched on, heads held
high. They blew through the cheesy "hair metal" and nu-wave scenes as if they were nothing at all,
laying out album after album, most memorable being "Kill 'Em All," "Ride the Lightening," "...And
Justice for All," and "Master of Puppets." Producing gritty vocals and goose bump inducing guitar riffs,
these metal masters seemed as though they could never fall from their steel forged thrones. But as most
do with time, Metallica faded to black.
playing?" Metallica will spring forth father than a jack out of his box. Why is this? Because Metallica has
sold at least 57 million albums in the U.S. and 35 million albums international, making them of the most
successful bands to ever grave the music scene. Metallica is currently ranked 18th on the RIAA's
(Recoding Industry Association of America) list of top selling acts in the United States.
Metallica was formed in 1981 in Downey, California by Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield, to which met
through a musician's classifieds. The original members, James, Lars, Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), and
Ron McGovney released the first demo "No Life 'til Leather" in 1982. Through the shifting or members,
including the removal of Mustaine to be replaced by Kirk Hammett (Exodus), and McGovney for Clif
Burton, who later died on September 27 1986 in a tragic bus accident, Metallica marched on, heads held
high. They blew through the cheesy "hair metal" and nu-wave scenes as if they were nothing at all,
laying out album after album, most memorable being "Kill 'Em All," "Ride the Lightening," "...And
Justice for All," and "Master of Puppets." Producing gritty vocals and goose bump inducing guitar riffs,
these metal masters seemed as though they could never fall from their steel forged thrones. But as most
do with time, Metallica faded to black.
| RISING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Kill em' All (1983) Ride the Lightening (1984) Master of Puppets (1986) ...And Justice for All (1988) Losing the 1989 Grammy's The "Black" album (1991) |
