James Hetfield (Metallica)

Name: James Alan Hetfield
Born: 3rd August, 1963
Profile: An English, German and Irish descendant, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of American heavy metal band.

History: Started to play music (piano) when he was 9 years old, after which he took on his brother's drums and finally, at the age of 14, he began to play guitar. He was also in a few bands as a child "Leather Charm" and "Obsession". He also said Aerosmith as being his main musical influence and said they were the reason why he wanted to play guitar.

Hetfield recorded all rhythm and harmonic tracks, he occasionally plays guitar solos such as "Nothing Else Matters", "My Friend of Misery", "The Outlaw Torn", the second solo on "To Live Is to Die", "Orion", "Suicide and Redemption", and "Master of Puppets"

Influences: Aerosmith, Motorhead, UFO, ZZ Top, Black Sabbath, Saxon, Diamond Head, Johnny Cash, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, The Who, Hank Williams Jr., Kiss, Rush, Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Judas Priest, Ted Nugent, AC/DC, Blue Öyster Cult, Venom, Led Zeppelin,The Yardbirds, Thin Lizzy and unknown band called "Chopcore" and "Stutter" with Ray Burr on guitar.

Axology: ESP guitars, Gibson Flying V, Gibson Explorer, Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus Guitar Amplifier, Mesa/Boogie TriAxis preamp.

Signature song(s): Seek & Destroy - Metallica (Kill 'em All, 1983) and Blackened - Metallica (... And Justice for All, 1988)

Link(s):

http://www.metallica.com (Metallica's official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_W9IlDEh30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbFK0TBLNP0

"If you're ever satisfied, the game's over" - James Hetfield.

"James Hetfield is the greatest rhythm guitarist and songwriter in the history of heavy metal. Ask no question. Raise no objections. No one can chunk harder, crunch more cruelly or write meaner riff" - Guitar World.