As Metallica frontman James Hetfield turns 57, here's a look at his most endearing moments on stage and off
Metallica frontman James Hetfield is celebrating his birthday on Monday, August 3. As he turns 57, we want to honor the legendary vocalist of the iconic heavy metal group by sharing his most enduring moments.
Before we dive in, you need to get acquainted with how remarkable James Hetfield actually is if you haven't before. In enthusiastic discussions around metal music, many lovers of the genre can recall at least one conversation where Metallica was brought up. "Who's your favorite metal band?" someone would ask and Metallica's name would slide right in there with little argument from other participants, and the same goes for the question, "Who's the best metal band?"
As the vocalist for Metallica, Hetfield has led the group to earn a massive eight Grammy Awards and 18 nominations. The band has released 10 studio albums, three live albums, four EPs and 24 singles since their formation in 1981, mostly receiving extensive and ongoing praise from fans and critics. In 2009, Hetfield was ranked at No. 8 in the book 'The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists' by Joel McIver and No. 24 by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Metal Vocalists of All Time.
Similar rankings continued with Guitar World's poll, where he was placed as the 19th greatest guitarist of all time, and placed second (along with Metallica lead guitarist Kirk Hammett) in The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists poll of the same magazine. Rolling Stone placed Hetfield as the 87th greatest guitarist of all time.
When it comes to his vocals, you know instantly whose voice it is you are hearing when you pass by a Metallica song. Hetfield's vocals never really adopted the hardcore screaming sense of singing, but were powerful enough to fire up embers on stage and on the tracks with his own distinct gravely, growling style.
Over the past few decades, several headlines surrounded Hetfield have claimed that he has started to lose his voice. However, it's not the first time and it actually happened before. Way back in 1991 when Metallica's landmark success album, 'The Black Album', was recorded, Hetfield blew his voice out on the 'So What!?' cover. He started taking vocal lessons to get his voice back on track, but at the time, fans noted his voice had changed. Hetfield described the experience in the 1992 documentary 'A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica'.
During a Metallica show in Copenhagen in 2017, Hetfield, who was under the weather at the time, gave the audience an unconventional choice: "You paid a lot of money to come see your favorite band — and we don’t sound good. I want to leave it up to you: Would you rather hear us sound better another time?” His question drew a roar from the Royal Arena crowd, but he had to make his point clear, "I love you too. I appreciate that. I want to stop; what do you say?" The audience, eager to continue with the show, turned down his proposal. Hetfield the dedicated musician and champ that he is responded, “OK, you asked for it. I’ll keep doing my best, all right? I appreciate you guys so much, man, thank you for supporting."
Unfortunately, his commitment to the crowd left the singer facing serious health concerns. The band shared a statement, saying, "We're very disappointed to have to share with you that unfortunately as Saturday has progressed, James' health, and specifically his throat, is not improving and he is under strict doctor's orders to not sing one single note. So sadly we have to report that we will be postponing tomorrow's show at the Royal Arena until September 2, 2017."
The musician has not only survived vocal cord problems but has also survived death. In 1992, Metallica toured in support of 'The Black Album' but one particular night nulled any high the band may have been on. A dozen songs into their concert and Hetfield stepped into a 12-foot high torch of fire from the pyrotechnics on stage. In an interview on VH-1's 'Behind The Music' later, Hetfield described his experience. "I'm a little confused about where I'm supposed to be. And then pyro guy doesn't see me, and 'whoosh!’, a big colored flame goes right up under me. I’m burnt. My arm, my hand, completely down to the bone. The side of my face. Hair's gone. Part of my back. I watched the skin just rising, all these things going wrong."
Over the years, Hetfield and Metallica have gone on strong as ever and produced numerous albums and tours much to the excitement and support of fans. Their latest project saw the group performing a new version of 'Blackened' (from 1988's LP 'And Justice for All'), while under quarantine in May.