Metallica
Years Active: 1981–present
Members’ Ages (2025): James Hetfield: , Lars Ulrich: , Kirk Hammett: , Robert Trujillo:
Past Members: Cliff Burton (✝ 1986), Jason Newsted, Dave Mustaine, Ron McGovney
👤 Members & Bio
James Hetfield: Born August 3, 1963 – Vocals, Guitar
Lars Ulrich: Born December 26, 1963 – Drums
Kirk Hammett: Born November 18, 1962 – Lead Guitar
Robert Trujillo: Born October 23, 1964 – Bass
Origin: Los Angeles / San Francisco, California, USA
Genres: Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal
Net Worth: $1.2B+ combined (2025 estimates)
Businesses: Blackened Whiskey, merchandise, music catalog rights
Total Social Followers: 70M+ across platforms
Notable Works: “Master of Puppets”, “Enter Sandman”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “One”
Current Status: Still touring, *M72 World Tour* (2023–2024)
🎓 Early Days & Formation
- Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.
- Moved to San Francisco, becoming pioneers of thrash metal.
- Early albums like *Kill ‘Em All* and *Ride the Lightning* defined the genre.
🏆 Career Highlights & Timeline
- 1983: Released debut *Kill ‘Em All*.
- 1986: *Master of Puppets* became their breakthrough album.
- 1991: The “Black Album” with hits like “Enter Sandman” sold 30M+ copies.
- 2009: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- 2023: Released *72 Seasons*, their 11th studio album.
🏅 Awards & Recognitions
- 9 Grammy Awards.
- MTV Video Music Awards for “Enter Sandman”.
- American Music Awards for Favorite Heavy Metal Artist.
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees (2009).
🧠 Did You Know?
- Metallica is the best-selling heavy metal band of all time (125M+ albums).
- Cliff Burton, original bassist, died in a bus crash in 1986.
- Dave Mustaine was an early member before forming Megadeth.
- The “Black Album” is one of the best-selling albums in history.
- They started their own record label, Blackened Recordings.
- Metallica launched *Orion Music Festival* in 2012.
- They’ve performed on all seven continents, including Antarctica.
- Robert Trujillo joined in 2003 after Jason Newsted left.
- Their song “One” won the first-ever Grammy for Best Metal Performance (1990).
- Lars Ulrich is Danish, moving to the US as a teenager.
- They appeared in the documentary *Some Kind of Monster* (2004).
- James Hetfield is also known for his hunting and outdoors lifestyle.
- Metallica has one of the highest-grossing tours of all time (*WorldWired Tour*).
- They created their own whiskey brand, Blackened.
- The band’s logo is one of the most iconic in heavy metal.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was Metallica formed?
They formed in 1981 in Los Angeles.
Who are the current members?
James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo.
How old is James Hetfield in 2025?
He is years old.
What is Metallica’s net worth?
Combined estimated net worth $1.2B+ (2025).
What are their biggest songs?
“Enter Sandman”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “Master of Puppets”, “One”.
Are they still touring?
Yes, as of 2025 they are still performing worldwide.
Where are they from?
Originally Los Angeles, later based in San Francisco, California.