Metallica

Metallica is a California based Heavy Metal Band, long considered by many to be the greatest Metal Band in Music History.

The group was founded in 1981 by Drummer Lars Ulrich and Vocalist/Guitarist James Hetfield.

The group originally featured Ulrich, and Hetfield, with Dave Mustaine on lead guitar, and Cliff Burton on Bass.

Mustaine was kicked out of the band and was replaced by Kirk Hammett on lead guitar. Hammett’s first appearance with Metallica was in 1983. Mustaine later went on to form the group “Megadeth“.

In 1986, there was an accident in Sweden involving Metallica’s tour bus. Bassist Cliff Burton was killed in the accident. He was replaced by Jason Newsted.

The “classic” line-up of Ulrich, Hetfield, Hammett, and Newsted would remain in place until Newsted left the band in 2001.

He was then replaced by current bassist Robert Trujillo.

Some of their hits have included:

Enter Sandman
Until it Sleeps
Hero of the Day
Turn the Page
The Memory Remains
I Disappear
No Leaf Clover
St. Anger
The Day that never comes

The group has released 9 studio albums over the course of their career.

Five of those albums have gone to #1 on the Billboard Album charts.

The group has won 9 Grammy Awards.

The group has charted 30 singles onto the Billboard Rock Charts during their career.

The groups signature hit is “Enter Sandman“, a 1991 classic that is a staple in sports venues around the globe.

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. At the request of the current band members, Jason Newsted was inducted along with the current members of the group. Newsted performed live with the band at the induction ceremony.

The group is still on tour promoting it’s most recent album and intends to go back into the studio to work on material for a new album once their tour ends later in 2010.