Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea will induct Metallica into the Hall of Fame on April 4 in Cleveland. The entire goal of Metallica’s induction is to avoid drama at all costs and celebrate everyone who has made Metallica the band they are today. Metallica’s drummer Lars Ulrich calls it “a sort of family reunion.”
The Metallica guest list for the April 4 induction includes staffers from the band’s previous labels, Megaforce and Elektra, journalists and photographers who have been supportive over the group’s career, producers and musician friends.
According to former bassist Jason Newsted: “The main thing for everybody is, Metallica has a very large family, and this is a 25-year reunion of all of the people, from many languages and many countries, from the Kill ‘Em All road crew to the latest people who’ve helped us out”.
Dave Mustaine, Ron McGovney, Cliff Burton, Jason Newsted…
Metallica also invited founding guitarist Dave Mustaine, who is unable to attend, and former bassists Ron McGovney and Jason Newsted, who will. Newsted also plans to perform with Metallica during the ceremony. For the first time in nine years, “the Black Album band will be back together and mow the shit down,” as Jason Newsted puts it. Ray Burton, father of Cliff Burton, who was Metallica’s bassist from 1982 until his death in 1986, will accept on behalf of his son.
“There’s three bass players getting inducted, and James, Lars and Kirk,” former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted said. Former guitarist Dave Mustaine will not be inducted. “Its not my decision. I have nothing to do with that. It was decided by the band, and I think it was just a hard-and-fast rule… anyone who has recorded on any Metallica recordings that have been released to the public as an official release were invited to the induction. So, that’s kind of that.”
Metallica wants it drama-free
“It’s one of those things where they’re like, ‘Oh, Metallica, it’s all about you,’ and it’s like, ‘Thank you,’ but we want to highlight and celebrate everyone’s who’s helped with that. It’s a big family reunion,” Metallica’s James Hetfield said. “There’s not many bands that have shown up there that are still a band, still making records, and have people coming to the shows. We’re kinda drama-free, hopefully, and the more people you invite, the bigger, cooler party it is.”
Guitarist Kirk Hammett said the following about the 2006 Rock Hall ceremony Blondie saga. “There was so much politics and so much drama, that we collectively said to each other that if that ever happens and we get inducted … we don’t want any of that, because it kind of really puts a whole bad, sour note on the celebration itself. We said to each other, ‘Let’s celebrate the fact and let’s not turn it into something negative.”
It’s all about celebration of Metallica
“I don’t think there’s a better time to come together than when it’s about celebration,” Metallica’s Lars Ulrich told. “I think everybody is proud of their association with Metallica, so we’re reaching out to everybody who’s been a part of this, both inside the band on and on the periphery of the band over the years. And there’s a big group of people coming to Cleveland for the weekend, so I look forward to seeing a lot of people I haven’t seen for a long time.”
“I talked to Lars, and it’s all good,” Jason Newsted said. “I was happy to hear from him. I hadn’t talked to him for a long time, so it was nice to hear his voice. It was basically as if no time had passed, as far as the conversation went. We picked up right where we left off. It was just absolutely positive. It was like, there we were, getting ready to get a beer some place. And Lars is ready to rock. He sounded like a kid again talking about the induction, and I felt pretty much like that, too. Getting fired up to rock after that many years… it’s pretty special.”
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
dave shpuld be inductive too for good or bad he made metallica what it is today
me myself an metalica p roceed to the nevermind use this path the golden bricks thy steping stones of home un erthed by nature ever be at the pray
of anothers strike it rich deeds oh gifts oh foul so un kind is these days an
un like the – on this hand ///////
Hey there. I work at Billboard Magazine and have been ask to get the word out about two videos we recently posted: a Q&A regarding the new Metallica Guitar Hero and a Q&A on Metallica entering Rock Hall. Check them out here:
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/video/index.jsp
Enjoy!
Lara Marsman
Billboard Magazine