Who is James Hetfield?

James Alan Hetfield is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and the main song-writer of the 9-times ‘Grammy Award’ winner Thrash Metal band, ‘Metallica.’ This metal band was born in 1981, James Hetfield is the one who is still in Metallica since the band was born until now which means he is an original Metallica member.

Childhood and Early Life

Hetfield was born on August 3, 1963, in Downey, California, to Virgil Lee Hetfield and Cynthia Bassett (née Nourse). His father was a truck driver whereas his mother was a light opera singer. His parents were followers of Christian Science and they strictly followed their beliefs of not taking medicines or medical treatment, even when his mother suffered from, and ultimately died of cancer.

His parents divorced in 1976 and later, his mother died in 1979, when he was 16. He has two older half-brothers (from mother’s first marriage) and a younger sister. After his mother’s death, he lived with his older half-brother, David. Hetfield studied at the ‘Downey High School.’

He learnt piano at the age of 9 and later played his brothers drums. During his teen years he started learning and playing guitar. Hetfield played with local garage bands, such as ‘Leather Charm’ and ‘Obsession.’ ‘Aerosmith’s’ music was a major influence during his childhood and he was also inspired by many others, including Ted Nugent, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Scorpion, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Queen, among others.