1963
On August 3, James Alan Hetfield is born in Downey, California, to Christian Scientist parents. When he’s 16, his mother dies of cancer, choosing prayer over medicine. It shapes him: “I know what my higher power is all about,” he later said about writing the song “The God That Failed.”
1981
“Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden.” That’s the listing Hetfield sees in L.A. paper The Recycler. Having learned piano, drums and guitar as a child, he is well placed to reply to the drummer, Lars Ulrich, and the first seeds of Metallica are sown.
1983
Metallica’s demo tapes and small gigs get them noticed, but no record company will fund an album. Their promoter borrows cash,…
