James Alan Hetfield (born August 3, 1963, in Downey, California) is the main songwriter, co-founder, vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the American heavy metal band Metallica.Biography
Early life and family
James Hetfield was born on August 3, 1963, in Downey, Los Angeles County, California to a family of English, Irish, Scottish, and German descent.
James' father, Virgil (a truck driver who later left the family) and mother, Cynthia (a light opera singer) were devout and strict adherents to Christian Science, and accordingly, much of James' young life revolved around Christian Science.
In accordance with their beliefs, Hetfield's parents strongly disapproved of medicine or any medical treatment and remained loyal to their faith even as Cynthia was dying from cancer. Parts of the songs "Leper Messiah" and "The God That Failed" from the albums Master of Puppets and The Black Album, respectively, are about his mother and her faith during cancer.
Musical influences
Cynthia's death and James' subsequently turbulent relationship with religion have both been the focal point of many Metallica lyrics throughout the years - the songs "Mama Said", "Dyers Eve" and "The God That Failed," are about Hetfield's parents, and "Until It Sleeps" is about cancer.
Hetfield was nine years old when he first began piano lessons, after which he took on his brother David's drums and finally, at the age of fourteen, James began to learn to play guitar.
James identifies Aerosmith as having been his main musical influence as a child, and has said that they were the reason why he wanted to play guitar. Other bands such as Motörhead, Black Sabbath, Diamond Head, Iron Maiden, Queen, Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy also had a major influence on his musical tastes.
Pre-Metallica Bands
Hetfield formed his first band, Obsession, when he was in his early teens. The members of Obsession were:
Obsession spent much time in the Veloz brothers' garage jamming with Ron McGovney and Dave Marrs acting as roadies. Marrs and McGovney subsequently joined the band itself when the Veloz brothers quit. After the death of his mother, James moved to Brea, California where he attended Brea Olinda High School and met up with drummer Jim Mulligan. The two jammed during lunch breaks, scaring fellow pupils with their loud and heavy music.
Hetfield's next band, Phantom Lord, was born with Tanner on guitar, Mulligan on drums, and Hetfield singing and playing guitar. The group went through a few bass players until graduation, when Hetfield moved back to Downey. In Downey, Hetfield moved into a house owned by McGovney's parents that was slated for demolition due to an expressway expansion. He talked McGovney into playing bass guitar, Phantom Lord disbanded, and then the third band under Hetfield's leadership, Leather Charm, was born. Hetfield no longer played guitar, McGovney played bass guitar, while Tanner and Mulligan retained their former Phantom Lord positions.
Leather Charm was largely a hard rock combo which played a few originals along with covers of songs such as Iron Maiden's "Remember Tomorrow". Hetfield would later go on to perform "Remember Tomorrow" with Metallica in 2008. Leather Charm performed at a few parties and recorded a demo but eventually began to fall apart. Tanner left the band, to be replaced by Troy James, then Mulligan left for a more progressive, Rush-like band. Without a drummer, the rest of the band decided to call it quits. It was Mulligan's departure that led to Hetfield searching for a new drummer. It was through a classified ad in a local newspaper, The Recycler, that Hetfield would meet Lars Ulrich. The two would form Metallica in 1981.
Metallica (1981-present)
In the early days of Metallica, Metallica experimented with a few different vocal/guitar configurations. Some of the options considered included adding another guitar player, having John Roads play lead guitar, as well as asking John Bush from Armored Saint (who later joined Anthrax) to sing for the band. Hetfield stated in a 1989 interview with SPIN that the band wanted ex-Misfits' vocalist Glenn Danzig to be Metallica's singer, but it is unclear whether or not Danzig was ever actually approached to join the band. The finalized line-up of the band became Hetfield (rhythm guitar and vocals), Lars Ulrich (drums), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), and Ron McGovney (bass). From 1981 to 1983, Mustaine's famous rock and roll lifestyle sparked heated altercations between him and Hetfield. Mustaine also once poured beer into Ron McGovney's bass, very nearly causing serious damage. Eventually, Hetfield and Ulrich ejected Mustaine due to his alcoholic tendencies, and recruited lead guitarist Kirk Hammett from the band Exodus the same day. Mustaine was sent home on a 4-day bus journey, and went on to form the thrash metal band Megadeth.
Until the mid-1990s, Hetfield recorded all rhythm tracks and most harmony tracks. Since the recording of Load, Kirk Hammett is recording rhythm guitars as well. James occasionally plays guitar solos, too, such as "Nothing Else Matters", the outro solo on "The Outlaw Torn", the second solo on "To Live Is to Die", the second solo on "Orion" and the first interlude solo on "Master of Puppets". He also writes the majority of the guitar harmonies, as well as writing the lyrics, vocal melodies, and co-arranging the songs with Ulrich.
Hetfield has been involved in many onstage accidents, the most well-known being an incident with pyrotechnics at Montreal's Olympic Stadium. While on the GN'R-Metallica Stadium Tour on August 8, 1992, he accidentally stepped into the path of one of the chemical flames that had been rigged to shoot from the lip of the stage during the song, "Fade to Black". Hetfield's guitar protected him from the full force of the blast; however, the fire engulfed his left side, burning his hand, arm, eyebrows, face and hair. He suffered second, and third-degree burns, but was back on stage 17 days later, although his guitar duties were delegated to former guitar tech and Metal Church guitarist John Marshall for four weeks while he recovered.
Hetfield has also broken his arm several times while skateboarding, which prevented him from playing guitar on stage, and subsequently caused Hetfield's management company Q Prime to add a clause in James' contract forbidding him to ride a skateboard during a Metallica tour. During a concert supporting Metallica's Black Album, James blew his voice box out singing the cover song "So What" while still having a lot of Metallica songs to play, forcing him to take vocal lessons for the first time. James did basic warm-up exercises to piano keys with his vocal coach who also gave him a cassette tape of the piano warm-up for future use. Hetfield still uses the same cassette he was given in the early nineties to this day before any show or any recording Metallica does. James talks about his vocal training endevours in the Metallica documentary film, Some Kind of Monster produced & directed by Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky. During the recording of the St. Anger album (2002-2003), Hetfield went into rehab to address his alcohol addiction. Hetfield had long-standing issues with alcohol and the band's alcoholic tendencies had earned them the nickname "Alcoholica" by the music press. Hetfield rejoined the band after two months in rehab and seven months recovering with his family. He is now clean and sober and is determined to remain so, all of which is Some Kind of Monster.
Some Kind of Monster also shows the making of the St. Anger album and documents the various conflicts and issues the band were facing at the time including the departure of Metallica's bassist, Jason Newsted, alcoholism, family commitments, and the future of the band with many in the rock press questioning whether the band would even still be together to see the completion of the St. Anger album.
Although St. Anger was seen by many as the weakest Metallica album to date, Hetfield, and the rest of Metallica, along with their new bassist, Robert Trujillo have addressed their many issues, and are continuing to make music. Metallica's newest album, Death Magnetic, was released on September 12, 2008. Like St. Anger and every album of original material released by Metallica since 1991's Black Album, Death Magnetic went #1 on the Billboard charts in over 30 countries during its first week of release.
Personal life
When he is not writing, singing or playing, Hetfield enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including hunting, skateboarding, snowboarding, water and jet-skiing; sketching, working in his garage customizing cars and motorcycles, watching his favorite football team the Oakland Raiders, and going to hot-rod shows.
He also collects vintage guitars--particularly those from 1963--and enjoys working on classic automobiles. Among his favorites are a '74 Chevy Nova, which he helped restore, and "The Beast", an all-terrain four wheel drive Blazer.
He put his 1967 Chevrolet Camaro up for sale on eBay, with the proceeds going to a Music for Schools program. The car was used in the video for "I Disappear" and was given to him as a gift upon the video's completion. Years later, James donated the car to the Hard Rock Cafe which is featured in the movie Hard Rock Treasures.
Hetfield has several tattoos, including one which shows flames encasing four cards, - Ace (1), 9, 6 and 3 - representing the year of his birth, and the words "Carpe Diem" (Seize the Day, also part of the title of the track "Carpe Diem Baby" off ReLoad). The flames from the tattoo are reportedly in reference to the pyrotechnic accident from which he suffered in 1992. He has also tattooed an 'M' on his right hand which stands for Metallica and 'F' on his left hand which stands for his wife Francesca .
Aside from these pursuits, Hetfield says he is often happiest spending time with his wife Francesca and their three children: Cali (13 June 1998), Castor (18 May 2000), and Marcella (17 January 2002). Hetfield married his wife Francesca Tomasi on August 17, 1997. She is from Argentina. Francesca worked security in Denver but she wanted to travel, so she went on the road with Metallica as one of their wardrobe people.
During an interview on NPR's Fresh Air, Hetfield stated that his wife had helped him to mature and learn to deal with his anger issues more constructively, explaining that after they met, his destructive tendencies embarrassed both of them. The Hetfield family currently resides in Marin County, CA.
Equipment
Guitars
Hetfield has been a major endorser of ESP guitars since the 1980s, and is best known for playing custom-made Explorer-style guitars with an EMG 81/EMG 60 set for pickups. Hetfield's main guitar from the early days was a Gibson Flying V, used almost exclusively until about 1984 when he switched to the Gibson Explorer model.
During the mid-1990s, ESP produced the first of his signature model guitars. To date, Hetfield has had six signature guitars with the company.
James Hetfield's current tour guitars:
- Gibson 1973 Les Paul Custom "Iron Cross" - This has been James's main tour guitar since the St. Anger era. It is Black with Gold hardware, with a gold racing stripe and a gold Iron cross on the body.
- Gibson Les Paul Custom - Purple satin. Used often on the "Madly in Anger" Tour.
- Gibson 1976 Explorer "Rusty" - Black satin body with Dot inlays. Rosewood Fingerboard, with EMG 60/81 Humbuckers and "Rusted" pickguard.
- Ken Lawrence Explorer #2 - Custom made by Northern Californian Luthier Ken Lawrence. It is the second of two Ken Lawrence Explorer's James ownes. It features a Mahogany body with a Quilted Bubinga Top, Modified Kenneth Lawrence headstock, Chechen Rear Cover Plate and Custom Sun-Ray inlays.
- ESP Truckster I - Hetfields's signature model guitar is based on the Gibson Les Paul. It has a Aged Primer Grey finish with multiple layers superimposed upon each other, skillfully sandpapered to create a "worn out' look. Gloss chrome Mechanical Sperzel. TonePros Rest.
- ESP Truckster II - Hetfields's signature model, but in a new Black finish.
- ESP Iron Cross - New for 2009, Hetfields's signature model guitar is based on his Gibson 1973 Les Paul Custom "Iron Cross". James uses this as his main tour guitar on the World Magnetic Tour.It is Black on a Mahogany Body with a "Relic" finish, to create a "worn out' look. Destressed Mechanical Sperzel. TonePros Rest.
- Gibson Flying V - This was his main Guitar from the "Kill em all" album to the "Master of puppets album". The guitar has plenty of "Beauty marks". After having the headstock snap off around '86 James switched to Explorers. In 2006/7 it was fixed by his tech and an exact replica was also made for him by ESP which he used on the Death Magnetic album and continues to use live.
- ESP White Explorer #3 "Papa Het" - White body with a "Papa Het" drawing by Dirty Donny on the body.
- ESP Flying V - New ESP Custom Flying V (replica of his old Electra). It has a White finish with Rosewood fretboard. It was Used rarely on 2008 European Vacation Tour, but is used a lot on the World Magnetic Tour.
- ESP M-100FM
- ESP Black Explorer - Black ESP Explorer with Dot inlays.
- ESP LTD "The Grynch" - Signature Guitar. Black with Green Flames on both the front and back of the body and handle. Used on the song "Frantic". James Takes two of these on tour, one as a backup.
- ESP Eclipse Custom "Tattoo" - ESP Custom Eclipse with a Black body, featuring illustrations of "Tattoos" on the body. Rosewood handle. It also had Iron Cross Inlays and is only used occasionally in concert.
Amplifiers & Cabinets
Throughout Metallica's career, Hetfield has used a range of different amplifiers. For the first two albums, he used Marshall amplifiers and cabinets, with occasional effects. For the recording of 1986's Master of Puppets, he and Kirk Hammett bought a Mesa/Boogie MarkIIC+ amplifier, and since then he has used Mesa/Boogies. Since then, in the studio, Hetfield has been seen using a wide range of different amplifiers in the studio and during live performances, he relies on several different amplifiers to recreate the sounds from the different amps he has used in the studio.
The majority of his clean tones come from a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus Guitar Amplifier.
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Effects
To avoid problems with pedals being damaged during live performances, Hetfield keeps his effect pedals in a rack along with his amplifiers and his tech controls them through a pedalboard sidestage. The pedal controler allows him to change between different effect pedals and amplifiers.
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Accessories
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Guest appearances
- Hetfield sang the background vocals on "Twist of Cain" and "Possession" by Danzig on the first Danzig album, although was uncredited for contractual reasons.
- Hetfield sang "Stone Cold Crazy" at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, accompanied by the remaining members of Queen and Tony Iommi on the rhythm guitar
- He sang the background vocals on "Man or Ash" on the Corrosion of Conformity album Wiseblood.
- He played guitar on "Eclectic Electric" from the Primus album Antipop.
- Though previously believed to have been sung by Trey Parker, the song "Hell Isn't Good" from the motion picture South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut was actually sung by Hetfield, who admitted to doing so in 2000, confirming what many Hetfield fans had already recognized as his trademark growling singing style. The Playboy Interview: Metallica (April 2001)
- Hetfield sang on the Gov't Mule song "Driving Rain" with fellow guest Les Claypool, which appears on the compilation album Crank It Up with NASCAR.
- He also performed at the Outlaws Concert in 2004, alongside Hank Williams Jr., Cowboy Troy, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, and Kid Rock. Hetfield played one of close friend Waylon Jennings's songs, "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand", the very same he recorded on the tribute album to Jennings, I've Always Been Crazy. At this same event he performed Metallica's "Mama Said" with Jesse Colter, the widow of Waylon Jennings, though this was cut from the television broadcast.
- Hetfield as well as lead guitarist Kirk Hammett did voices for characters in several episodes of the Adult Swim cartoon Metalocalypse.
- He and bandmate Lars Ulrich appeared on Disney cartoon Dave the Barbarian, as teenage dragons.
- He also appeared as a guest in an episode of Space Ghost: Coast to Coast titled "Jacksonville" alongside fellow member Kirk Hammett.
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