1962
- February 10
Cliff Burton, Metallica's bassist on the first three albums is born.
- November 18 Kirk Hammett is born.
1963
- March 4
Metallica's present bassist, Jason Newsted is born.
- August 3 James Allan Hetfield is born.
- December 26Lars Ulrich is born.
1977
Jason's first band Diamond with Kevin Kendrick, Tod Smiedendorf and Tom Depoy formed in Niles to Kalamazoo MI.
September 1977
Jame's freshman year at Downey HS; Bestfriend's Ron McGovney.
1979-1980
- James' mother passes away and he moves to La Brea, CA.James quits obsession.
- James forms Phantom Lord with Jim Muligan and Hugh Tanner.
1981
A young Lars Ulrich was addicted to the NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal),
and he tried to put his own band together. At this point, his attempt failed, but he placed
an ad in a magazine called Recycler, to which one James Hetfield answered.
09.05.81
Lars and James meet for the first time in Newport Beach, CA.
June
Ron McGovney joins Phantom Lord and renames to Leather Charm; band falls apart when drummer and guitarist leave.
15.10.81
MetallicA Formed.
31.10.81
Jason Newsted and Tom Hamlin relocate to Phoenix, AZ from Kalamazoo, MI.
Summer 81
Lars went to the UK to follow Diamond Head around for 3 months on tour. On his return he secured a deal to record a track for the Metal Blade compilation Metal Massacre. Due to the fact that he didn't yet have a band, he quickly began contacting people. The three members he managed to put together were:
Line - Ups
- Lars Ulrich on Drums
- James Hetfield (Vocals; Rhythm and Bass Guitars)
- Lloyd grant (Lead guitar)
XX.01.81
First demo of Hit the lights recorded,Loyd Grant overdubs guitar solo.
14.03.82.
Metallica's first show ever! At Radio City, in Anaheim, CA.
XX.03.82
Metallica's first show ever! At Radio City, in Anaheim, CA.
14.03.82
First Metallica gig at Radio City, Anaheim, CA.
14.28.82
Second, gig supporting Saxon at Whiskey - A - Go - Go, Hollywood, CA.
XX.04.82.
In order to get a certain live gig, Metallica needed to present some of their material, so they recorded a 4 track demo of Hit The Lights, The Mechanix, Jump In The Fire & Motorbreath, later known as Power Metal. This was recorded with James, Lars, Ron McGovney, and Dave Mustaine. There isn't an actual title for this demo, but when it surfaced as a bootleg, the name stuck. The name comes from some early business cards of the band that Ron printed up.
xx.04.82