James Hetfield facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Hetfield
Hetfield performing with Metallica in 2024
Background information
Birth name	James Alan Hetfield
Born	(1963-08-03) August 3, 1963 (age 61) Downey, California, U.S.
Genres	Heavy metal thrash metal hard rock
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter
Instruments	Guitar vocals
Years active	1978–present

James Alan Hetfield (born August 3, 1963) is an American musician. He is famous as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the heavy metal band Metallica. James also helped start Metallica and writes many of their songs.

He is known for his amazing rhythm guitar playing. Sometimes, he also plays lead guitar parts and solos during concerts and in the studio. James co-founded Metallica in October 1981. This happened after he saw an advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in a Los Angeles newspaper.

Metallica has won nine Grammy Awards. They have released 11 studio albums and many other recordings. James Hetfield is often seen as one of the best heavy metal rhythm guitar players ever.

In 2009, he was ranked highly in music books and magazines. The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists placed him at No. 8. Hit Parader listed him at No. 24 among the 100 Greatest Metal Vocalists of All Time. Rolling Stone magazine also named him one of the greatest guitarists.

Early Life and Music

James Hetfield was born on August 3, 1963, in Downey, California. His mother, Cynthia Bassett, was a singer. His father, Virgil Lee Hetfield, was a truck driver. James has two older half-brothers and one younger sister.

His parents divorced in 1976 when James was 13. His parents were Christian Scientists. Their beliefs about medicine influenced some of James's later songs. His mother passed away from cancer in 1980 when James was 16. After her death, James lived with his older half-brother.

James started piano lessons at age nine. Later, he played his half-brother's drums. At 14, he began playing guitar. He was in teenage bands like Leather Charm and Obsession. James says Aerosmith was his biggest musical influence. They made him want to play guitar.

James Hetfield's Career

James Hetfield performing in 2008

In the early days, Metallica tried different singers and guitar players. They wanted a sound like the British band Diamond Head. The band's first main lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), and Ron McGovney (bass). Cliff Burton soon replaced Ron McGovney.

James called their early sound "power metal." The term "thrash metal" was first used in 1984. This was when a journalist described an Anthrax song.

On April 1, 1983, Kirk Hammett joined as lead guitarist from the band Exodus. Ten days later, Dave Mustaine left the band. He then formed the heavy metal band Megadeth.

Since the album Load, Kirk Hammett has also recorded rhythm guitars. James writes most of the guitar harmonies. He also writes the lyrics and vocal melodies. He helps arrange the songs with Lars Ulrich.

On-Stage Accident

James had an accident on stage in Montreal on August 8, 1992. This happened during a concert with Guns N' Roses. While playing "Fade to Black," a firework went off too close. His guitar protected him from the full force. However, it burned his hand, arm, eyebrows, face, and hair.

He had second and third-degree burns. But he was back on stage 17 days later! Another guitarist, John Marshall, filled in for him for four weeks.

James also had some skateboarding accidents. These stopped him from playing guitar on stage. So, Metallica's management added a rule to his contract. It said he couldn't skateboard while the band was on tour.

Vocal Training

During a concert for the Metallica album, James had vocal problems. This happened after singing a cover of "So What?" He took vocal lessons for the first time. He learned warm-up exercises with a vocal coach. James still uses the same warm-up tape from the 1990s before every show. He talks about this in the documentary film Metallica: Some Kind of Monster.

New Beginnings

During the making of the album St. Anger in 2001, James took a break to focus on his health. He returned to the band after several months. His journey is shown in the film Some Kind of Monster.

Metallica then welcomed Robert Trujillo as their new bassist. The band's new lineup continued to make music and tour worldwide. Metallica's ninth studio album, Death Magnetic, came out in 2008. Like many of their albums, Death Magnetic reached #1 on music charts in over 30 countries.

On April 4, 2009, James Hetfield and other Metallica members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This included Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, and former bassist Jason Newsted. Cliff Burton, who had passed away, was represented by his father. James said that everyone who played on a Metallica album would be inducted.

Playing Style

James Hetfield is known for his "downpicking" guitar style. This means he picks the strings downwards very fast. Annihilator guitarist Jeff Waters called him "The King of Downpicking." James holds his pick with three fingers for extra stability.

Personal Life

James Hetfield backstage in 2004

James married Francesca Tomasi on August 17, 1997. They have three children together. He lives in Vail, Colorado. He moved there because it was his wife's hometown. He also liked the natural beauty and quiet environment.

James and Francesca divorced in 2022. His son, Castor, is also a musician. He plays drums for the band Bastardane.

James has faced personal challenges throughout his life. In 2019, he took another break to focus on his well-being. This meant Metallica had to cancel some shows. He made his first public appearance after this break in January 2020.

James enjoys many hobbies. These include hunting, farming, and beekeeping. He also customizes cars and motorcycles. He likes watching sports teams like the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco Giants. He also attends hot rod shows.

He once sold his 1968 Chevrolet Camaro to raise money for a Music for Schools program. This car was in Metallica's "I Disappear" music video.

Tattoos

James has many tattoos. One shows flames around four playing cards: ace (1), 9, 6, and 3. These numbers represent his birth year, 1963. The tattoo also says "Carpe Diem" ("seize the day"). The flames remind him of the pyrotechnic accident he had in 1992.

He has an "M" and "81" on his right hand. This stands for "Metallica" and the year it was founded, 1981. He has an "F" on his left hand for Francesca. He also has Christian tattoos, including crosses and one of Jesus.

Views on Politics

James Hetfield has said he doesn't like talking about politics. He believes that politics can get in the way of things. He thinks it can stop people from getting music across. His philosophy is "think for yourself." He believes humans will survive and adapt to challenges.

Equipment

Guitars

James Hetfield has used ESP Guitars a lot since the 1980s. He is known for playing custom-made Explorer-style guitars. These guitars have special pickups called EMG 81/EMG 60.

In the early days, his main guitar was a Japanese-made Electra Flying V copy. He used it until 1984. Then he switched to the Gibson Explorer model.

In the mid-1990s, ESP made his first signature model guitars. James has had six signature guitars with ESP. However, he also uses guitars from Gibson and other companies.

Some of James Hetfield's guitars over the years include:

• 

  ESP Iron Cross Snow White James Hetfield Signature

• 

  Playing the ESP/LTD Snakebyte

• 

  Eet Fuk Guitar

• 

  A yellow and black Iron Cross

Amplifiers and Cabinets

James has used many different amplifiers throughout Metallica's history. For their first two albums, he used Marshall amps. His Marshall amp for Kill 'Em All was stolen. This made him very sad.

In 1985, for Master of Puppets, he and Kirk Hammett bought Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amplifiers. Since then, he has mostly used Mesa/Boogies. Around the time of St. Anger, James started using the Diezel VH4 amp. His clean guitar sounds often come from a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus Guitar Amplifier.

His current tour setup includes:

• Mesa/Boogie TriAxis preamp
• Mesa/Boogie Simul-Class 2:90 power amp
• Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier heads
• Diezel VH4 heads
• Mesa/Boogie 4x12 cabinets with Celestion V30 speakers
• Roland JC-120 combo amplifiers

Effects

James keeps his effect pedals in a rack. This is to protect them during live shows. His guitar technician controls them from the side of the stage. This setup lets him switch between different effects and amplifiers easily.

His live setup in 2008 included:

• TC Electronic G-Major
• Line 6 DM4
• Mesa/Boogie Custom Graphic EQ
• MXR Phase 100
• Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
• Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro
• Voodoo Lab GCX Audio Switcher
• Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus
• DBX 1074 Quad Gate
• Behringer Multigate Pro

Accessories

James uses:

• Ernie Ball Power Slinky strings (.11–.48)
• Dunlop James Hetfield Black Fang 1.14 mm picks
• 3" Levy's Straps
• Peterson Strobe 420 Tuner
• EMG JH Het Set pickups
• Shure UR-4D Wireless Equipment
• Furman AR Pro Power Conditioner

He also uses Shure Super 55 microphones for his vocals.

Discography

Metallica Albums

• Kill 'Em All (1983)
• Ride the Lightning (1984)
• Master of Puppets (1986)
• ...And Justice for All (1988)
• Metallica (1991)
• Load (1996)
• Reload (1997)
• St. Anger (2003)
• Death Magnetic (2008)
• Hardwired... to Self-Destruct (2016)
• 72 Seasons (2023)

Film and TV Appearances

James Hetfield has appeared in several films and TV shows.

Films

Television

Guest Appearances

James Hetfield has also performed with other artists and appeared in various projects.

On Stage

• He sang "Baby Hold On" at the Eddie Money Tribute Concert in 2020.
• James sang "Stone Cold Crazy" at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. He was joined by members of Queen and Tony Iommi.
• He performed at the Outlaws Concert in 2004. He sang one of Waylon Jennings's songs, "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand".
• James appeared with Alice in Chains in 2006. He sang parts of the song "Would?"
• In 2000, he sang "Last Caress" and "Die, Die My Darling" with the band Misfits at a concert.

Musical Collaborations

• He provided backing vocals on "Man or Ash" for Corrosion of Conformity.
• He sang backing vocals on "Twist of Cain" and "Possession" for Danzig.
• He played guitar on "Eclectic Electric" for Primus.
• He performed guest vocals on "Drivin' Rain" for Gov't Mule.
• James sang guest vocals on the Heart song "Beautiful Broken" in 2016.

Other Appearances

• He sang the song "Hell Isn't Good" from the film South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut.
• James voiced characters in the cartoon Metalocalypse.
• He and Lars Ulrich voiced teenage dragons in an episode of Disney's Dave the Barbarian.
• James and Metallica appeared in an episode of The Simpsons, "The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer".
• He is the voice of Wolfgang in the animated Skylanders Academy series.
• James is a playable character in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD.
• James and the rest of Metallica appear as outfits in the video game Fortnite.

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See also

In Spanish: James Hetfield para niños