Behind the title ‘Greatest guitarist of all time’, Metallica frontman James Hetfield reveals ‘I can be a vulnerable human being just like everyone else’
James Hetfield, the rock king of one of the all-time great thrash metal bands, Metallica, has unintentionally and partly purposefully created a gritty and a
brasive stage presence that matches the ferocity of the music. Perhaps even more courageous and tougher was the well-known frontman’s admission to the world and supporters that, like everyone else, he was a fallible human being.
Not that the dude isn’t a badass, mind you. Not many individuals have survived to shine for decades after being set ablaze like fireworks. However, his intimidating demeanor wasn’t always the result of power; on sometimes, it was a defense mechanism he put in place after a string of very terrible experiences and intense emotional challenges. These are a some of the heartbreaking tales that helped shape the heavy metal rock musician into the person he is today.
James Hetfield, the rock king of one of the all-time great thrash metal bands, Metallica, has unintentionally and partly purposefully created a gritty and abrasive stage presence that matches the ferocity of the music. Perhaps even more courageous and tougher was the well-known frontman’s admission to the world and supporters that, like everyone else, he was a fallible human being.
Not that the dude isn’t a badass, mind you. Not many individuals have survived to shine for decades after being set ablaze like fireworks. However, his intimidating demeanor wasn’t always the result of power; on sometimes, it was a defense mechanism he put in place after a string of very terrible experiences and intense emotional challenges. These are a some of the heartbreaking tales that helped shape the heavy metal rock musician into the person he is today.
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BELIEFS OF HIS FAMILY MADE HIM AN OUTSIDER.
According to James Hetfield (via “Justice for All: The Truth about Metallica”), his parents’ staunch conviction that spiritual force, not modern medicine, was what cured people made him feel like an outsider at school. He has said this on several occasions. This led to a number of difficult circumstances throughout his early 1970s upbringing, which led to his being teased by his peers.
Hetfield said, “I was raised as a Christian Scientist, which is a strange religion,” in a Playboy interview. First and foremost, everything will be fixed by God. You don’t need physicians; your body is merely a shell. It was difficult to grasp and alienating. I was unable to get a football physical. It was strange to have to leave health class in the middle of the school day, with all the students asking, “Why do you have to go? Are you a weirdo of any kind? When you’re younger, you want to be on the squad. They believe you’re strange and are always gossiping about you. That caused me much distress. My father enjoyed teaching Sunday school. I was essentially compelled to do it.”
Hetfield was so tired of having to explain his special circumstances to other students that he very much stopped talking to them and stayed to himself. In fact, the drummer Lars Ulrich believed the vocalist was the sexiest person he had ever encountered. Hetfield discovered happiness in rock music as an outsider, and his peculiar background undoubtedly shaped his songs as he developed into a professional musician.
For their son, Vigil and Cynthia Hetfield’s divorce was difficult.
James Hetfield was a teenager who had a lot of turmoil in his home life in addition to his feelings of loneliness at school. At the age of thirteen, Virgil and Cynthia, his parents, separated in 1976 (according to “Justice for All”). James was taken by surprise and given very little about the split beforehand, adding to the already intense emotional nature of the whole scenario. As that was all going on, he was enraged at his dad’s conduct.
During an interview for the documentary “Absent,” the singer described how Virgil just left a letter for James, not even a personal one, instead of saying farewell to him. Although it astonished his sister that he talked to his father in that manner, the frontman said that he loathed him for it and was not ashamed to tell him exactly how he felt.
CYNTHIA, HIS MOTHER, DIED OF CANCER
James Hetfield’s mother died of cancer three years after the couple’s divorce, which was even more devastating than his parents’ divorce. His bandmate Ron McGovney described that terrible period in the book “Justice for All,” detailing how Hetfield had to move in with his brother and attend a new high school as a result.
James held his father accountable for his mother’s demise due to their divorce as well as the Christian Science doctrine that kept her from getting the necessary medical attention. The fact that there was no burial and that he was not permitted to mourn the loss was another peculiar feature of the faith that the singer found very upsetting at this time. Luckily, the teenager was able to get through this very difficult time in his life by continuing to perform music with his friends in a band that he had previously established. They got together on the weekends.
On stage, James Hetfield caught fire.
Metallica almost lost a second member at a 1992 performance, having previously suffered the terrible loss of one. James Hetfield walked at the incorrect place on stage at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, causing a massive pyrotechnic burst that burnt a large portion of his torso.
As the singer said on an episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music,” “I squint and turn instantly when a big colored flame goes right up under me.” I have so thoroughly burned my hand and arm to the bone, along with a portion of my back and the side of my face where my hair used to be.” He said, “This is pain I’ve never felt in my whole life, and it won’t go away.”
According to Louder, the flame that burst underneath him was 3,200 degrees Fahrenheit and 12 feet high. Hetfield was fortunately rescued from the collision despite suffering second and third-degree burns to his left arm.
VIRGIL, HIS FATHER, DIETED OF CANCER YET AGAIN
Like his mother, James Hetfield’s father Virgil passed away from cancer in the beginning of 1996. Since he had begun to spend more time with him, the singer was particularly devastated by the death. James had been upset with his father for a long time over his upbringing and his mother’s passing, but seeing Virgil more often was making him feel differently.
James spoke on his relationship with his father at the end of his life in an interview with Metallica’s fan club magazine So What! (via “Justice for All”). He said, “I didn’t really realize how much he had been a part of my life, and influenced me growing up, until later on.” And despite all the drama in our family life, I realized that we essentially shared interests and got along well when we eventually got back together. It was wonderful that I was able to get to know him better and see how tough he was throughout his illness since not many people had that opportunity. There are moments when individuals just leave us without any notice. I was able to go a bit closer at the end, and there was at least a little warning with him.”
James must have had a difficult time losing his other father, yet he seems to get over the ordeal. Kirk Hammett said to Playboy that James used to simply get intoxicated all the time and get into fights, but that when his father died, he became more patient and considerate.