Tracii Guns Praises James Hetfield’s Bravery: From Drunken Encounter to Sober Inspiration
L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns recently shared a compelling narrative about his evolving perspective on Metallica frontman James Hetfield. From a somewhat awkward, drunken encounter in the early '90s to profound respect for Hetfield's public battle with personal demons, Guns' story offers a glimpse into the often-unseen vulnerability of rock icons. This revelation comes from Guns' appearance on the "Talk Louder" podcast, where he recounts his experiences and newfound admiration for Hetfield.
The story begins in New York's Scrap Bar, where Guns and Hetfield found themselves alone one Tuesday night, both doing press for their respective albums – Metallica’s groundbreaking “Black Album” and L.A. Guns’ “Cocked & Loaded”. Guns recalls, "Right away I knew he was wasted. I knew he was gone. I knew he was off his tree." The encounter took a strange turn when Hetfield, seemingly confrontational, challenged Guns' appreciation for **Metallica**'s music. Despite the initial tension, Guns remembers a lingering "cool kind of vibe" between him and the Metallica camp over the years.
However, it was Hetfield's later public openness about his struggles that truly resonated with Guns. "I saw that he opened up his heart in public. And he started talking about the demons that he has dealt with and how long," Guns explains. He emphasized the difficulty of such vulnerability, especially for the singer of a band as massive as Metallica. "It is very difficult for a man to talk about those things with his friends, let alone talk about that sincerely in public, especially being the singer of fucking METALLICA."
Guns lauded Hetfield's courage in confronting his issues and achieving sobriety, stating, "So I have even more respect for James now than ever. I just think he's so bold and so brave... And he got sober. That's tough. That's hard shit to do, man." He dismissed the notion that wealth somehow diminishes personal struggles, emphasizing that "Money doesn't solve everything internally."
Interestingly, Guns had previously praised Metallica's early work, particularly "Whiplash," citing its raw energy. L.A. Guns themselves remain active, recently releasing their album "Leopard Skin," marking their reunion with Cleopatra Records and their fifth studio effort in seven years since the reunion of Guns and vocalist Phil Lewis.
Tracii Guns' reflections offer a poignant reminder that even rock legends face profound personal challenges. Hetfield's bravery in addressing these issues has earned him not only the respect of his peers but also serves as an inspiration to fans worldwide. What are your thoughts on the vulnerability of rock stars? How does it impact your perception of their music and artistry? Share your comments below!
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