by Sam Burton
The group consists of drummer Lars Ulrich, rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, and a cycle of dozens of bassists, unable to stick to the position for extended periods of time. Presently, the bassist spot is filled by Robert Trujillo. In the mid 1980s, the band had a building fan base and praise from the critics, and with the 1986 release of Master of Puppets, became considered one of the most influential heavy metal bands today. Their self titled fifth album, aka The Black Album, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Metallica has released nine studio albums, two live albums, two EPs, twenty-four music videos, and forty-five singles. The band has won nine Grammy Awards, and has had five consecutive albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200, making Metallica the first band ever to do so.

Metallica was assembled in Los Angeles, California late in 1981, when drummer Lars Ulrich put an ad in an underground LA newspaper The Recycler reading "Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden". This was enticing enough to lure guitarists James Hetfield and Hugh Tanner of Leather Charm into responding to the advertisement. Though the band had not yet officially been formed, Ulrich asked Hetfield to perform vocals and rhythm guitar. Five months later Ulrich begged Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel to allow him to record a track for the label's next compilation: Metal Massacre. Slagel agreed, and the band was bona fide in October of 1981.

Lars Ulrich later deliberated with his friend and confidant Ron Quintana, who was conjuring up names for his fanzine. Quintana suggested the names Metal Mania and Metallica, the latter of which appealed to Ulrich, and is the name of the band today. An additional ad was posted in The Recycler for a role as lead guitarist. Dave Mustaine replied, and after getting a glimpse of his expensive guitar equipment, Ulrich and Hetfield enlisted his services.
In the beginning of 1982, Metallica recorded its first song "Hit the Lights" for the Metal Massacre compilation. Hetfield performed bass on the song, and Lloyd grand was ascribed with playing a guitar solo. Released on June 14th, 1982, early editions of Metal Massacre listed the band incorrectly as "Mettallica". Although angered by this careless mistake, Metallica was able to churn enough interest about their burgeoning band through this song that it played its first live gig on March 14, 1982 at Radio City in Anaheim, California, including newly added bassist Ron McGovney.

Metallica recorded its first demo album, Power Metal, a name encouraged by Quintana's early business cards. In fall of that year, Ulrich and Hetfield were in attendance of a show in West Hollywood which featured bassist Cliff Burton using innovative techniques on a wah-wah pedal. The two immediately approached Burton to join their band, and dismissed McGovney because they believed he "didn't contribute anything, he just followed". The contented position of bassist has been filled by several other men over the years.

Now, Metallica is performing in their long awaited European and Pacific Ocean tour, the World Magnetic Tour - 2010. They are making dozens of stops in Ireland, Croatia, Portugal, Hungary, Israel, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Australia. Some of their opening acts include metal bands Volbeat and also High On Fire. In Warsaw, Poland, they will be on the lineup for the Sonisphere festival, playing alongside bands such as the rest of the 'big four' of thrash metal, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeath, in addition to respected acts of the metal genre such as Motorhead, Alice in Chains, and Rise Against. Their Australian co-acts have not yet been released.

The genre of metal would not be complete without these hard working and hard playing boys from LA, and Metallica Day in San Francisco is a testament to that. Hell, you can't have 'metal' without Metallica!

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