Metallica: A Big Transition From the 80s to the 90s
© Michele Morabito
Metallica had tremendous crossover mega-success in the '90s; however they started and built a loyal hardcore fanbase in the '80s.
According to SonicNet, in 1981, drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist/lead vocals James Hetfield recorded their first track for infamous Metal Blade Records. Hetfield's friend and housemate Ron McGoveny was eventually talked into taking up bass and Dave Mustaine took lead guitar duties.
They began gigging in the Los Angeles area opening for bands and making demos. Eventually, Metallica moved upstate and Cliff Burton joined Metallica. Kirk Hammett replaced McGoveny, Mustaine would leave (and eventually start Megadeath) and the lineup was complete.
Metallica's first album, Kill 'Em All, was released in late 1983 and the band commenced touring. The band signed with major management agency Q Prime and soon after is signed to major record label Elektra.
1986 brought their third album, Master Of Puppets, a tour with Ozzy Osbourne and 72-week run on the US charts.
Tradegy struck in October 1986 when Metallica's tour bus went out of control and flipped, killing Cliff Burton. In April 1987, Metallica's first home video, Cliff 'Em All, is released as dedicated to their former bass player. They didn't have any footage from the old shows, so bootleg videos taped by fans were added to the home video (this is revisited for the Year 2000).
Jason Newsted was chosen from over 40 auditions to play bass replacing Burton. They immediately started touring again and released an EP, Garage Days Revisited, a sequel to a 1984 EP entitled Garage Days.
The band then went back to record their fourth recording, And Justice For All, released in August 1988. It reached #6 on the US charts, received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal/Hard Rock album, toured once more and finally won a Grammy for their "One" single.
In the 1990s, life would change for Metallica. They released a self-titled record nicknamed the Black Album with new producer Bob Rock. This album was different; songs were shorter and the sound was fuller, hence it reached number #1. The album spawned several singles, videos and remains the one of the most successful Metallica albums. The band won several awards including a Grammy for the album and several MTV and American Music Awards.
Again, they toured constantly, either alone (An Evening with Metallica) or with Guns N' Roses or festivals (Monsters of Rock). James got burned by the pyrotechnics in Montreal, Canada. The next few gigs had to be cancelled; one of the rare times Metallica cancelled shows. They even had a few shows for fan club member only and had special seating section for those fans wanting to record the shows (this would also be revisited for Year 2000).
According to SonicNet, in 1981, drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist/lead vocals James Hetfield recorded their first track for infamous Metal Blade Records. Hetfield's friend and housemate Ron McGoveny was eventually talked into taking up bass and Dave Mustaine took lead guitar duties.
They began gigging in the Los Angeles area opening for bands and making demos. Eventually, Metallica moved upstate and Cliff Burton joined Metallica. Kirk Hammett replaced McGoveny, Mustaine would leave (and eventually start Megadeath) and the lineup was complete.
Metallica's first album, Kill 'Em All, was released in late 1983 and the band commenced touring. The band signed with major management agency Q Prime and soon after is signed to major record label Elektra.
1986 brought their third album, Master Of Puppets, a tour with Ozzy Osbourne and 72-week run on the US charts.
Tradegy struck in October 1986 when Metallica's tour bus went out of control and flipped, killing Cliff Burton. In April 1987, Metallica's first home video, Cliff 'Em All, is released as dedicated to their former bass player. They didn't have any footage from the old shows, so bootleg videos taped by fans were added to the home video (this is revisited for the Year 2000).
Jason Newsted was chosen from over 40 auditions to play bass replacing Burton. They immediately started touring again and released an EP, Garage Days Revisited, a sequel to a 1984 EP entitled Garage Days.
The band then went back to record their fourth recording, And Justice For All, released in August 1988. It reached #6 on the US charts, received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal/Hard Rock album, toured once more and finally won a Grammy for their "One" single.
In the 1990s, life would change for Metallica. They released a self-titled record nicknamed the Black Album with new producer Bob Rock. This album was different; songs were shorter and the sound was fuller, hence it reached number #1. The album spawned several singles, videos and remains the one of the most successful Metallica albums. The band won several awards including a Grammy for the album and several MTV and American Music Awards.
Again, they toured constantly, either alone (An Evening with Metallica) or with Guns N' Roses or festivals (Monsters of Rock). James got burned by the pyrotechnics in Montreal, Canada. The next few gigs had to be cancelled; one of the rare times Metallica cancelled shows. They even had a few shows for fan club member only and had special seating section for those fans wanting to record the shows (this would also be revisited for Year 2000).
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