Metallica Member James Hetfield Life, Albums, Net worth & Tours: James Hetfield, synonymously known as James Hetfield Metallica, has been the face and voice of the metal band- Metallica since the beginning. Whenever Metallica’s band name is heard, it is impossible not to mention Hetfield.
He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter for the heavy metal band Metallica. He is known for his intricate rhythm playing and is regarded as one of the greatest metal rhythm guitar players ever. He considers Aerosmith to be his primary influence when starting his musical career.
James Hetfield Early Life
James Hetfield was born to Cynthia and Virgil Hetfield on August 6, 1963, in Downey, California, USA. He has one younger sister and two older half-brothers from his mother’s previous marriage. Hetfield’s parents got divorced when he was 13 years old. James lost his mother to cancer in 1980. After his mother Cynthia’s death, Hetfield went on to live with his older half-brother, David. He attended Downey High School and graduated from Brea Olinda High School in 1981.
The strict beliefs of his parents inspired many of Metallica’s songs. Metallica’s 1991 song, “The God That Failed,” was based on his mother’s death, as his mother believed that God alone would be able to save her from cancer. Virgil Hetfield, his father, died in early 1996 during Metallica’s Load tour.
Hetfield began his first music lessons on a piano at the age of 9. He later picked on drumsticks and jammed on his older half-brother David’s drums. At the age of 14, he began playing guitar with Robert Okner.
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The Career of James Hetfield
Obsession was the first band in which Hetfield played with Ron McGovney, the first bassist to play for Metallica. Obsession band didn’t last long as Hetfield moved to Brea, California, for his graduation.
In Brea, California, in a second attempt to become a rockstar, Hetfield formed the band- Phantom Lord. After he graduated from Brea Olinda High School, Hetfield moved back to Downey, California. Phantom Lord was over as far as Hetfield was concerned.
After returning to Downey with Ron McGovney, his next attempt was the rock band Leather Charm. After Leather Charm also fell apart, Hetfield and Hugh Tanner of Leather Charm band responded to an advertisement by Lars Ulrich, a drummer. Lars Ulrich had an offer from Metal Blade Records to record a demo for their upcoming compilation album Metal Massacre. James Hetfield was recruited to play guitar and to be a lead vocalist for the demo album.
Metallica was officially formed on October 28, 1981. The band recorded its first-ever written song- “Hit the Lights.” The song debuted on June 14, 1982, leading to the road of fame and stardom for James Hetfield and Metallica.
Personal Life of James Hetfield
Aside from being a rockstar, James Hetfield faced some unfortunate onstage accidents. The most famous was in 1992, at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, when a pyrotechnic exploded during the band’s performance of “Fade to Black.” Although his guitar probably saved his life from the full blast, his left side faced severe burns. The burns were of second to third degrees.
James Hetfield has also battled with alcohol. In July 2001, Hetfield went to a rehabilitation center. The documentary “Some Kind of Monster.” is based on his life and ponders upon his rehabilitation incident and its effect on the whole band.
James Hetfield married Francesca Hetfield in 1997 and has three children- Cali, Marcella, and Castor. They filed for divorce in 2022, citing irreconcilable differences.
James Hetfield Famous albums
Metallica has 11 studio albums and four live albums. The effect they have left has stayed after all these years. The albums are:-
1- ..And Justice For All(1988)
Songs such as Shortest Straw, Harvester Of Sorrow, Blackened, and Eye Of The Beholder remain with the audience even after listening to them only once.
2- Kill ‘Em All(1983)
This rock hit debut was the original pure Metallica piece. Whiplash is the ultimate metal anthem of this album. The other songs of this album- Hit The Lights, The Four Horsemen, Phantom Lord, and Jump In The Fire are all rock-hit talent.
3- Master Of Puppets(1986)
Many people consider this album the best Hetfield Metallica album. The songs of this album- Battery, Master Of Puppets, and Disposable Heroes are masterpieces.
4- Ride The Lightning(1984)
James Hetfield, the rockstar himself, considers this album his favourite. It is a classic work of metal music standard. The songs- For Whom The Bells Tolls, Creeping Death, and The Call Of Ktulu are masterpieces.
5- Death Magnetic(2008)
The song- The Suicide and Redemption, portrays one of the beautiful Metallic instruments. All Nightmare Long is one of the best songs on this album.
Apart from these five albums, other albums like- Metallica( The Black Album- 1991), Garage Inc, Load(1996), and Reload(1997) are among the famous albums of Hetfield and Metallica.
James Hetfield Net Worth
Being the lead vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the popular heavy metal band Metallica, James Hetfield’s net worth is $350 million. The famous band has sold over 125 million albums worldwide.
Metallica Tours
James Hetfield, along with other members of Metallica, has organized many tours since the band’s inception in the 1980s. A tour was organized from 2021 to 2022 for the 30th anniversary of their 5th Studio Album- Metallica(1991) and the 40th anniversary of Metallica. It was the band’s first tour after the COVID-19 pandemic, which was held in North and South America and Europe.
Metallica’s James Hetfield Ongoing Tour
The currently ongoing tour, the M72 World Tour, began in Amsterdam on April 27, 2023, and will conclude in Mexico City on September 29, 2024. The tour is organized to support the band’s 11th studio album- 72 seasons(April 14, 2003).
Metallica will play four shows in Mexico City on the 20th, 22nd, 27th and 29th September 2024. Tickets for the same will be available on Ticketmaster.
Metallica will also perform at the AWMH Helping Hands Concert and Auction YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, California, United States, on December 13, 2024.
