The Story Behind A Metal Legend: James Hetfield

Raised in a strict Christian Scientist household by his mother who was an opera singer and his father who was a truck driver and veteran, James Alan Hetfield was born in Downey, California on August 3, 1963. He has two half-brothers; David Hale and Christpher Hale. His father, Virgil Lee Hetfield abandoned the family when James was 13. His mother, Cynthia Hetfield, distrusted medicine and refused cancer treatment, which eventually killed her when James was 16. (These two events would inspire the songs The Unforgiven, The God That Failed, and Mama Said.)

Like his mother, James was fond of art and music, although less interested in the classical piano lessons she signed him up for at the age of 9. He’d eventually begin teaching himself drums on his brother’s drum kit. As James grew, he felt lonely and alienated due to the religion he was forced into, exclusion from health classes at school and a strained relationship with his father.

James grew up as an outdoorsman, influenced by his father in hunting, fishing and hiking. He abandoned the family when James was 13 without so much as a note. His mother told them that he was on a business trip.

James was also influenced by AC/DC, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and Ted Nugent. Inspired, James began playing guitar at the age of 14 on an instrument he found at a garage sale. His mother later bought him a used SG Gibson, which he switched to. She died when he was 16 from cancer after refusing medical treatment due to her religious beliefs.

During high school, James performed in multiple bands, including Leather Charm, Obsession, Phantom Lord, and Syrinx. When a drummer placed an ad in the newspaper The Recycler, Leather Charm guitarist Hugh Tanner took James to meet him. The ad read: “Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with. Influences: Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden. Ask for Lars.”

The trio’s first jam session resulted in disaster. Both Hugh and James recalled how Lars was barely able to keep his kit together and lacked skills in drumming.

At the age of 17, James found work as a janitor, then worked in a sticker factory. During breaks, he’d jot down song ideas and record riffs. His plans for the future were evident in his yearbook page, quoting: “Play music, get rich.” Needless to say, the rest is history.

Lars (who called for a follow-up session) and James went on to form Metallica, releasing 11 studio albums with their current lineup of:

• James Hetfield: Rhythm guitar, Lead vocals (Frontman) [since 1981]

• Lars Ulrich: Drummer [since 1981]

• Kirk Hammett: Lead guitar [since 1983]

• Robert Trujillo: Bassist, Backing vocals [since 2003]

James, alive and well, continues to perform with Metallica, currently wrapping up their European leg of the M72 World Tour with a long residency at the Vegas Sphere soon to come.