James Hetfield

He was born on August 3, 1963 in Downey, California (LA County). His childhood was difficult in many ways. His parents, Virgil Hetfield (a truck driver) and Cynthia (opera singer) were members of a religious group of Christian Scientists (Christian Science). For this reason, most Hetfield's childhood revolved around religious practice and its activities.

Under the doctrine of the church to which his family belonged, the use of medicines for curing diseases was forbidden. James's mother died of cancer when he was 16 years, which marked a serious conflict between James and religious dogma practiced by his family and later greatly influence the lyrics of their next works ...
First bands [edit]
James.

In its nine years, James began taking piano lessons. Later, played drums in his brother, David, finally picking up a guitar in his years of puberty. In those years, James formed his first band, Obsession, inspired by bands like The Beatles, Black Sabbath, Queen, Thin Lizzy, Venom, among others. Obsession was composed of the Veloz brothers on bass and drums, Jim Arnold on guitar Hetfield on vocals. His friends Ron and Dave Mass McGovney fulfilled the role of roadies, and then join the band as members to the withdrawal of the Veloz brothers.

After moving to Brea, California, James met drummer Jim Mulligan at Brea Olinda High School. During lunch breaks, both trials, scaring fellow guitarists with their loud and heavy sounds hitherto unknown. One day, a student named Hugh Tanner was seen by James and Jim loading parts of a Flying V at school. The three formed the band Phantom Lord, with bearish indicators. The project lasted until the graduation of James, when the moved back to Downey.

At that time, James and his friend Ron McGovney moved to a house slated for demolition, then owned by the parents of McGovney. The house was the perfect place for James and Ron spend the time and rehearse. Ron convinced James to play bass, the band Phantom Lord disbanded, resulting in Hetfield's third band to be called Leather Charm. The only difference with the previous band Leather Charm was that James was no longer playing the guitar and Ron playing bass now, while Tanner and Mulligan retained their original instruments.

The band performing songs dedicated to heavy metal in some festivals and even managed to record a demo. After that, the band began to spread. The first to retire was Tanner, who was replaced by Troy James. Later, drummer Mulligan decided to join a band with more progressive style. In the absence of a drummer, James decided to dissolve his companions finally Leather Charm.

Although the output of Mulligan's what Hetfield determined to find a new drummer, Hugh Tanner who was also greatly influenced the musical life of James.

Hetfield did not consider at first take the role of vocalist in his previous bands. Finally, we invited John Bush of Armored Saint (then singer of Anthrax) to sing in the band.