The Top 20 Metallica Songs on James Hetfield 61st Birthday
The Metallica lead singer and guitarist was born 61 years ago today
The Top 20 Metallica Songs on James Hetfield 61st Birthday
One of the most influential bands of the last 40 years, Metallica’s adventure begun during the early 1980’s when James Hetfield answered a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler in October 1981. Hetfield has cited both as a singer and as a guitarist, Queen, Aerosmith , Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Misfits, AC/DC, Cheap Trick, Rush, Van Halen, Blue Öyster Cult, Scorpions, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Ramones, Motörhead, Sex Pistols, Venom, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, ZZ Top, Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Clash, Ted Nugent, Rainbow, and Deep Purple as his main influences and what influenced Metallica’s sound. Metallica has won nine Grammy Awards and released ten studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays and 24 singles.
James Alan Hetfield was born on August 3, 1963, in Downey, California. Raised in a strict Christian Science household, Hetfield faced numerous challenges during his childhood. His mother, Cynthia, was a light opera singer, and his father, Virgil, was a truck driver. The family’s adherence to Christian Science, which eschews medical treatment, profoundly impacted Hetfield’s upbringing. His mother died of cancer when he was just 16, a traumatic event that would later influence his music and lyrics.
Hetfield’s musical journey began with piano lessons at the age of nine, followed by a brief stint with drums before he settled on the guitar. Influenced by bands like Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath, he played in several local bands during his teenage years. In 1981, Hetfield responded to an ad placed by drummer Lars Ulrich in a Los Angeles newspaper. This connection led to the formation of Metallica, with Hetfield on rhythm guitar and vocals.
Metallica’s early years were marked by relentless touring and recording. Their debut album, “Kill ‘Em All” (1983), introduced the world to their raw, aggressive sound. This was followed by “Ride the Lightning” (1984) and “Master of Puppets” (1986), the latter of which is considered one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time. Hetfield’s powerful vocals, intricate guitar work, and introspective lyrics played a significant role in defining Metallica’s sound.
After popularizing Trash Metal during the 1980’s, the band’s mainstream breakthrough came with the release of “Metallica” (1991), also known as “The Black Album.” The album’s polished production and hit singles like “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters” brought Metallica mainstream success, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. Hetfield’s commanding stage presence and the band’s relentless touring schedule solidified their status as metal icons.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Metallica continued to evolve their sound with albums like “Load” (1996), “Reload” (1997), and “St. Anger” (2003). In 2001, he entered rehab, a period documented in the film “Metallica: Some Kind of Monster” (2004), which offered an unprecedented look into the band’s internal dynamics and Hetfield’s personal battles such as his struggle with alcohol addiction.
The release of “Death Magnetic” (2008) marked a return to their thrash metal roots, and the album was well-received by both fans and critics. Metallica’s later works, including “Hardwired… to Self-Destruct” (2016), showcased their continued relevance and ability to innovate within the genre.
James Hetfield married Francesca Tomasi in 1997, and the couple has three children: Cali, Castor, and Marcella. The family resides in Vail, Colorado, a move Hetfield has credited with helping him find balance and sobriety. Hetfield is an avid hunter and outdoor enthusiast, interests that reflect his appreciation for nature and solitude, and despite his rough exterior and on-stage persona, Hetfield is known for his introspective and emotional lyrics, often drawing from his personal experiences and struggles. Today he celebrates 61.
20 -“Hero of the Day”, from “Load” 1996
19 – “The Memory Remains” (featuring Marianne Faithfull), from “Reload” 1997
18 – “Of Wolf and Man”, from “Metallica” 1991
17 – “Until It Sleeps”, from “Load” 1996
16 – “The Unforgiven”, from “Metallica” 1991
15 – “Wherever I May Roam”, from “Metallica” 1991
14 – “Harvester of Sorrow”, from “…And Justice For All”, 1988
13 – “Battery”, from “Master Of Puppets”, 1986
12 – “Fight Fire with Fire”, from “Ride The Lightning” 1984
11 – “Creeping Death”, from “Ride The Lightning” 1984
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10 – “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”, from “Master Of Puppets” 1986
9 – “Nothing Else Matters”, from “Metallica” 1991
8 – “Sad but True”, from “Metallica” 1991
7 – “Motorbreath” , from “Kill’Em All” 1983
6 – “One”, from “…And Justice For All”, 1988
5 – “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, from “Ride The Lightning” 1984
4 – “Fade to Black”, from “Ride The Lightning” 1984
3 – “Enter Sandman”, from “Metallica” 1991
2 – “Ride the Lightning”, from “Ride The Lightning” 1984
1 – “Master of Puppets”, from “Master Of Puppets” 1986
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