More than two decades since they were formed, heavy metal band, Metallica are still together, with the only change in the lineup being that of the bassist.
Metallica was formed in 1981, in California, by James Hettfield and Lars Ulrich, Ron McGovney being recruited on bass soon after. In 1982, they took on Dave Mustaine as lead guitarist, which prompted McGovney's exit due to differences between the two. Metallica then recruited bassist Cliff Burton, but actually shifted to the San Francisco area, to convince him to join. With this lineup in place the band began to grow in popularity, but Mustaine's disruptive behaviour and alchohol and drug problems prompted Metallica to replace him with Kirk Hammet. With this lineup Metallica went on to release their first album and began their meteoric rise to fame.
In 1986, disaster struck and Cliff Burton was killed in an accident involving their tour bus, while in Sweden. Metallica seemed to be finished, but with the blessings of Cliff's family they went on to recruit Jason Newsted, and successive releases made them part of the international mainstream. With sales of over 90 million albums they are one of the most successful heavy metal bands ever.
Jason Newsted left the band in 2001, and was only replaced in 2003, by Robert Trugillo.
Metallica was formed in 1981, in California, by James Hettfield and Lars Ulrich, Ron McGovney being recruited on bass soon after. In 1982, they took on Dave Mustaine as lead guitarist, which prompted McGovney's exit due to differences between the two. Metallica then recruited bassist Cliff Burton, but actually shifted to the San Francisco area, to convince him to join. With this lineup in place the band began to grow in popularity, but Mustaine's disruptive behaviour and alchohol and drug problems prompted Metallica to replace him with Kirk Hammet. With this lineup Metallica went on to release their first album and began their meteoric rise to fame.
In 1986, disaster struck and Cliff Burton was killed in an accident involving their tour bus, while in Sweden. Metallica seemed to be finished, but with the blessings of Cliff's family they went on to recruit Jason Newsted, and successive releases made them part of the international mainstream. With sales of over 90 million albums they are one of the most successful heavy metal bands ever.
Jason Newsted left the band in 2001, and was only replaced in 2003, by Robert Trugillo.
