Biography for
James Hetfield (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

3 August 1963, Los Angeles, California, USA

Birth Name

James Alan Hetfield

Nickname

Het
Jaymz
The Het
Papa Het
Mighty Het (field)

Height

6' 1" (1.85 m)

Mini Biography

His parents were divorced, and at a young age, he lost his mother to cancer. He grew up hunting, playing guitar, and was an ordinary quiet kid. Lars Ulrich put out an ad in 1981 in a newspaper asking somebody to jam out and listen to rock music with him and he replied. Lars and James hooked up, and started the band, Metallica.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Steve

Spouse

Francesca Hetfield

(17 August 1997 - present) 3 children

Trade Mark

ESP guitars

Baritone voice

Trivia

Member of The National Rifle Association.

Is a skilled hunter.

Vocalist and guitarist for the heavy metal band Metallica.

Metallica's 1991 song "The God That Failed" was based on the death of Hetfield's mother as a child, because as a christian scientist she believed that her faith in God alone would be able to save her from cancer.

Metallica's hit 1991 song "Enter Sandman" was inspired by fears and nightmares Hetfield had as a child.

He originally wrote the 1991 hit "Nothing Else Matters" as a personal song, not intended to be played in front of anyone else, but Metallica drummer and band mate Lars Ulrich convinced him to use it for a Metallica song, which he did.

His wife is from Argentina and is a former costumer for his band Metallica.

Suffered second-degree burns through a stage pyrotechnic accident while touring in Montreal, Canada, 8 August 1992.

Children: (with wife Francesca) Cali Tee Hetfield, (b. June 13, 1998 at 8 lbs 4 oz & 20 inches in San Francisco, California), Castor Virgil Hetfield, (b. May 18, 2000 at 9 lbs 6 oz & 22 1/2 inches in San Francisco, California) and Marcella Francesca Hetfield (b. January 17, 2002 at 8 lbs 5 oz & 21 1/4 inches in San Francisco, California).

His musical inspirations are Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent, Venom, Nick Cave, Rocket From The Crypt, 'The Misfits', Black Sabbath, Diamond Head.

Is of English, German, and Irish descent.

Lives in Marin county, San Francisco.

Personal Quotes

[at the end of concerts] "Thank you friends!"

There is one Metallica. We have many styles, it's called Metallica.

There is something powerful in Metallica, a will, a drive.

If I hadn't had music in my life, it's quite possible I'd be dead and I'd much rather be alive.

"Knowing Cliff's attitude, he'd kick our butts if we quit." (on why Metallica survived the death of Cliff Burton)

Regret? That's a screwed up word.

Did I enjoy the tour? It was different. It was a good idea. We really had no idea what was going to come with it. They're a different type of band - and I use the word band loosely. It's a guy and some other guys. We were out to show people that there was something a little more progressive and hardcore than Guns n' Roses. And to go about it our way. But it was hard going on, dealing with Axl and his attitude. It's not something we'd want to do again.[commenting on the the Metallica/Guns n' Roses tour]

Where Are They Now

(April 2003) Preparing for release of "St. Anger", first new Metallica album in 5 years

(May 2004) They are in the tour "Madly In Anger With The World Tour", for United States. Before entering a concert they record a small session of rehearsal with songs that doing for their new album, that they begin to record in the studio in January of 2005.

(March 2005) He is on holiday for some time before starting the recordings of the new album.

(February 2006) Recording the next Metallica record.

(September 2008) He releases new album Death Magnetic with his band Metallica.

Browse biographies section by name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z