James Hetfield - Biography

Last Editor: zeldatwilite				James Hetfield Biography -   Name : James Hetfield Date of birth : 3 August 1963 Place of birth : Los angles, California, USA Birth name : James Alan Hetfield Nickname : Het Height : 6' 1

James Hetfield Trivia -

Member of The National Rifle Association. Getting ready to return to the studio with Metallica for recording of a new album slated to be released in 2000. [September 1999] Is a skilled hunter. Vocalist and guitarist for the heavy metal band Metallica. Metallica's 1991 song "The God That Failed" was based on the death of Hetfield's mother as a child. Metallica's hit 1991 song "Enter Sandman" was inspired by fears and nightmares Hetfield had as a child. He originally wrote the hit 1991 Metallica song "Nothing Else Matters" for his girlfriend, but Metallica drummer and bandmate Lars Ulrich convinced him to use it for a Metallica song, which he did. His wife is from Argentina and is a former costumer for his band Metallica. Suffered second-degree burns through a stage pyrotechnic accident while touring in Montreal, Canada, 8 August 1992. Daughter, Cali Tee Hetfield, was born in San Francisco, California, weighing in at 8 lbs 4 oz and measuring 20 inches long. [13 June 1998] Son, Castor Virgil Hetfield, was born in San Francisco, California, weighing in at 9 lbs 6 oz and measuring 22 1/2 inches long. [18 May 2000] Daughter, Marcella Francesca Hetfield, was born in San Francisco, California, weighing in at 8 lbs 5 oz and measuring 21 1/4 inches long. [17 January 2002] Father of Cali Tee Hetfield and Castor Virgil Hetfield His musical inspirations are Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent, Venom, Nick Cave, Rocket From The Crypt, The Misfits, Black Sabbath.

James Hetfield Detailed Biography -

James Hetfield is the voice, among other things, of Metallica's songs but it wasn't always planned that way ... In the early days, Metallica tried a few different vocal/guitar configurations. Some of the experiments included adding another guitar player, or having then lead guitar player Dave Mustaine play the sole guitar. John Bush from Armored Saint was even asked to sing for the band at one point. When it comes to defining Metallica, most people use James Hetfield as their guide. There's never any bullshit with James and there's never any shirking of duties. Example? When he recently threw his back out on the Summer Sanitarium 2000 tour, James ploughed his way through three weeks of intense physical therapy in four days, according to his physical therapist. And it is this sort of fierce, unbending dedication and devotion to Metallica, which has provided a cornerstone identity through the years for millions of fans. Vocally there is no doubt that James took 1990's it was debatable as to whether he would sing at all. Metallica tried a few different vocal/guitar configurations. Some of the options considered included adding another guitar player, having then-lead guitar player Dave Mustaine play the sole guitar and asking John Bush from Armored Saint to sing for the band. Of course common sense prevailed, James decided to fight harder to establish himself as a frontman and the results are, ahem, history. To trace the roots of Hetfield's unflinching dedication and determination, you have to go back to a childhood that was often tough but laid a foundation, which underscores James today. Born to a truck driver and light opera singer on August 3rd, 1963, in Los Angeles, his family's Christian Science religious beliefs played a large part in the young Hetfield's life, and subsequently form a central point for many of Metallica's lyrics. He was 9 years old when he first took piano lessons before taking on brother David's drums and finally picking up a guitar in his pre-teens. With the likes of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy providing inspiration, James quickly set about the task of becoming a rock star in his first band, Obsession. Made up of the Veloz brothers on bass and drums, with Jim Arnold on guitar, plenty of time was spent in the Veloz's garage jamming with Ron McGoveny and Dave Marrs acting as roadies. McGovney subsequently stepped in alongside Marrs and Hetfield when the Veloz brothers incarnation ended. After moving to Brea, California, James attended Brea Olinda High School and met up with drummer Jim Mulligan. The two jammed at lunch time scaring fellow guitarists with their loud and heavy sounds before a guy called Hugh Tanner was seen carrying around part of a flying V guitar at school. Phantom Lord was born with Hugh on guitar, Mulligan on drums and James singing plus playing guitar. The group went through a few bass players until graduation when James moved back to Downey. Back in Downey, James moved into a house owned by Ron McGovney's parents that was slated for demolition due to an expressway expansion. It was the perfect place for James and Ron to crash, rehearse and jam. James talked Ron into taking up bass, Phantom Lord was no more and the third band under Hetfield's leadership. Leather Charm, was born. The only difference between Charm and Lord, was James singing without guitar and Ron playing bass guitar, Hugh Tanner and Jim Mulligan retaining their former 'Lord positions. Leather Charm was a largely hard rock combo, playing some originals and covers such as Iron Maiden's 'Remember Tomorrow' amongst others. The band managed to perform at a few parties and recorded a demo, but then began to fall apart. First Tanner left the band (replaced by Troy James), then Mulligan left for a more progressive, Rush-like band. And with no drummer, the band was forced to call it quits. Although it was Mulligan's departure that led to James searching for a new drummer, we can safely say that Hugh Tanner was responsible for the atalytic moment which would change the course of James Hetfield's life and out him on the path to achieving his childhood ambition. How? Simple...Tanner introduced James to Lars Ulrich. The rest, as you'll read elsewhere, is a long, illustrious (occasionally curious) and still-evolving history... James is the main songwriter in Metallica, co-creating the framework and structure for most Metallimaterial. When he's not writing, singing or playing, James enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including hunting, snowboarding, water and jet-skiing, sketching, annoying neighbors with guns and loud pipes on his chopper "The Saga", watching his favorite Oakland Raiders and going to hot-rod shows. He also collects older guitars (particularly those from 1963) and enjoys working on old cars. Amongst his favorites are a '55 Chevy BelAir (which he helped built and restore himself), and 'The Beast', a fearsome all-terrain 4-wheel drive Blazer that is designed to survive everything from earthquakes to nuclear holocausts. Aside from these pursuits, James is often happiest spending time with his wife Francesca and three children, Cali, Castor, and Marcella.