Blackie Lawless of Wasp Tells a Funny Story About Cliff Burton When He Was Touring With Metallica

I didn't get to record this, but I was sitting next to the person who was. Credit goes to Rob Messina for this great moment!
#heavymetal #metal #thrashmetal #wasp #blackielawless #armoredsaint #metallica #cliffburton #jameshetfield #80smetal #80smusic

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

To all the people picking on Blackie for getting older, it is going to happen to you as well. Blackie is a phenomenal storyteller. He really does need to write a book on his life in the music industry. This was a good one because Spinal Tap made it famous for not being able to find the stage right before the show begins. Hilarious

[@therichbuddha3277]

yep. That's a hard partying life face.

[@williamlushenko3196]

That Spinal Tap bit was a true story based on Ozzy Osborne, of course.

[@brandonholmes8655]

John, I'd buy Blackie's book! The man is a great storyteller and he's an educated man on various subjects. He's someone who absolutely should write book.

[@neshod6415]

Old man old ....I am old nothing to hide...an illness is being old

[@ralphtarr5931]

Yeah man! Blackie has been around the scene since the early 70s in NYC with THE NY DOLLS before he helped start the LA scene.. I'm getting older too. AND FUCKIN WISER FOR SURE ✌️🥁🥁🥁😎

[@wallypalmer4704]

I see some folks are bagging on Blackie for looking old. I'm grateful he's gotten the chance to get old. Some people (a lot of rock stars included) don't get that opportunity. He seems happy and healthy, and he's still rockin', so my hat's off to him.

[@DoomKid]

Bunch of superficial idiots that don’t realise humans age as they get older. Maybe once they turn 13 they’ll develop the ability to see beyond what someone looks like!

[@ninamc6116]

Dude he’s like 65

[@wallypalmer4704]

@@ninamc6116 He's 66 so what? He's happy, healthy, and still able to do what he loves. Does he look older than he did in his heyday? Sure. Again, so what?

[@weareparkerful]

There is one person in the comments that I’ve red about him getting old

[@joecamel6835]

@@ninamc6116 I was fit and trim my whole life then my thyroid went out, I gained 60 lbs very fast icluding in my face etc, just wait similar might happen to you..then laugh.

[@briansmith2125]

Blackie needs a bigger forum to share all of these cool stories. This one is classic!

[@jaesea323]

He needs a podcast

[@torontotonto6189]

blackie should do joe rogan

[@user-cs6up8eq7s]

​@@torontotonto6189why would he want to go on someone's podcast that thinks it's safe to take horse pills

[@creamwobbly]

He didn't say he should be interviewed. He said he should do him like y'know, _do him_

[@zcustomcarnesi]

There's nothing better than stories about the good old days in metal

[@xBaphomet666x]

The way Blackie tells the story, I can totally picture this moment in my head. Could listen to Blackie telling stories all day every day. Cliff was a legend!

[@thegiftedone]

This dude might look like my grandma, but he still sings like he is 20 years old! A true legend! A true ROCKER! \m/-_-

[@trentdibiasi7976]

lip sync..

[@daveweed2765]

Hell he might have "done" your grandma back in the day. LOLp

[@scottmcclure4153]

Backing tracks. He admitted that to a fan at a meet and greet. It on utub

[@Bullski123]

Looks like he has used cheekfillers to make his face look like its "lifted" a bit...

[@jurgencuypers8350]

He does not sing at all anymore live. 0:43

[@flashy5150]

Good ole’ Cliff Burton RIP

[@shawnboogz7546]

This man is a Legend…my first introduction to metal…Great songwriter…showman…and all around student of music!!!…can’t wait until he writes a book!!!

[@Roberta_Esposito]

F like a BEAST!!!!

[@user-cs6up8eq7s]

This man is a narcissist just asked Chris Holmes

[@lostgrunt7833]

Same here. I was 13 or 14 & some how had gotten a coupon for "turtles ". ( I think it was half off. Not 100% on that. Lol. It was about 35 years ago. ) i picked up Inside the Electric circus" it took me several years to understand & appreciate it but it became one of my favorite albums. & now there almost never a day that i don't hear Blackie sing something.

[@clintstryder1131]

What you said!🤘

[@ababbas]

Samea here🙋🏻 The Last Command was my one of first cassettes

[@FrehleyBurst9-1878]

They played that gig on January 30th 1985 and the next night Febuary 1st 1985 I seen them all play in Royal Oak, MI at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. I took pictures of both Metallica and WASP. I have a couple awesome shots of Cliff Banging his head! I have a few pics of Blackie drinking blood from the skull and Chris Holmes was ripping on guitar that night. Both Metallica and WASP sounded great that night. BTW, Armored Saint opened those shows and were KILLER! I went to Kalamazoo 2 nights later on Febuary 3rd 1985 and seen them all play again at the State Theatre. I seen them play 4 shows in 9 days that month as we went to Cleveland on the 7th and Chicago on the 9th. Those were the days when you could see killer bands play in the mid-west and see them in a smaller venue and we were always front row. For those of you who didn't grow up in the 1980s you missed out on some bad ass bands cutting their teeth and playing like there was no tommorrow.

[@mikekristin7201]

Pretty sure I was conceived that night. Nothing to do with the show or Metallica just in general 😂

[@FrehleyBurst9-1878]

@@joebagofdonuts Metallica and WASP costs me $12.00 to see them play the Royal Oak Music Theatre back then. I spent $80.00 on concert T-shirts and Sweatshirts and bought every style Metallica offered on that tour. We chowed hard at White Castle after that show!

[@jeffreyedwards767]

You recorded it right ,

[@zap7026]

born 1970 - and I still remember unbelievable things, too. those were the days. Salutes 🍻

[@mikkywhites397]

Man this is rad. Share some pix🤘🤘🤘

[@chud-dd3tg]

Blackie is so rad. I could spend all day listening to his stories 😆👍

[@rolferikbaklkk6613]

Grannys are often great storytellers😉

[@AK-xq5cn]

@@rolferikbaklkk6613 No, he looks like a granny, but he tells stories like uncle

[@Lowgarr]

Such a great story, I could listen to Cliff Burton stories for hours.

[@toma.4808]

Blackie is a good guy. I met him twice and he remembered both times. He loves baseball. Big Yankees fans. We must've talked baseball for what felt like hours. He even signed my Yankees hat. Glad to see Blackie is still around and kicking ass

[@johnblaze5252]

He must be very humble for not mentioning he was drafted into MLB or @ least that’s what I recall.

[@MrBillRizer]

I Wanna Be Somebody was a mantra for me and my school friends into Metal. Totally inspirational. We pretty much started a band because of W.A.S.P. and Maiden. I was lucky to see W.A.S.P. live twice.

[@Robert-zc5be]

Fun fact: The same thing happened to Jason, when they were recording AJFA. That studio was a real maze.

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

Unfortunately for Jason, he never found the studio like Cliff found the stage. Lol

[@sdavis6806]

👍 hahaha

[@sdavis6806]

My favorite album without Cliff, sad how the bass was buried, as a 15 year old listening I didn't notice haha, I just loved the riffs on that album

[@desross2002]

@@sdavis6806 same for me bro

[@someparts]

@@johnkatsoudas4767 Yeah, the bass never came in.

[@levinolan636]

Very intelligent guy Blackie. I'd love to hear him on a daily radio show

[@cberbes]

He's a very self aware, very funny dude. I think it was Decline pt2 where he was talking about the antics they used like lighting himself on fire and said "We wouldn't have to do this if we wrote better songs.". I was never a big WASP fan, had a few decent songs, but I've always been a fan of Blackie. The dude is just down to earth.

[@SkribbalOfficial]

Lol.. you mean a podcast?

[@jamessutherland3683]

@@cberbes Blackie said something very similar when he was talking about his crotch saw blowing up on him. Funny stuff.

[@fleatactical7390]

Yeah I think people have dismissed him for whatever reason. Every interview I've watched with him reveals his latent intelligence.

[@thedude4672]

Would love to hear his rock stories, but his politics are abhorrent.

[@odelldaniel7868]

I saw wasp 10 days ago....Blackie still rocks, WASP is bad ass. Armored Saint was kick ass too

[@chickenbeek]

Armored Saint has got to be one of the most underrated bands of that era. They were especially unique, especially back then. LA band, European/America sound. Stayed outside of the trendy stuff, total high quality, like cork sniffer metal of a band. I still play their debut all the time in the morning drive to work right next to the next 40 years of every kinda metal out there. And the few decades before it. It just never gets old.

[@killa-tf2bt]

@@chickenbeek So true. BTW their new records still kick ass. Love every AS album, especially classics...

[@chickenbeek]

@@killa-tf2bt Bro, Category 7 is insane if you haven't checked it out.

[@williamlushenko3196]

I saw WASP open up for KISS at the Orange Show Fairgrounds in San Bernardino, CA, back in 1985. I always thought Blackie Lawless had a great voice & was sorely underrated. Still a fan to this day.

[@kanewalsh3167]

When you could still hear bass in Metallica

[@alessandroarcuri209]

P R E C I S E L Y

[@Nick-qx6rh]

It was for one album 34 years ago.

[@dr.juerdotitsgo5119]

Aside from Kill em All, you can't hear much bass from back then either.

[@oddselstudios166]

lmao - ty for that!

[@symbologee]

It's too bad their early producers/engineers couldn't do their jobs right.

[@DanielRocks1973.]

Blackie ist einfach genial. Toll, daß er noch da ist und Musik machen kann. Rock n Roll;)

[@freedomsnotfreefreedomsnot3270]

I was at that show. That underground following back then was insane.

[@martinkuliza]

yeah.... I was part of it

[@martinkuliza]

It was... I WAS PART OF IT Good Times When we had a sub culture of Metal that no one really knew about I mean Yes we had W.A.S.P. , Ratt , Metallica (Deth wasn't around yet) but then Testament , Deicide, Sodom, and of course MORTAL FUCKING SIN Mayhemic Destruction Good Fucking Times Indeed

[@Chris-lz1fs]

I'd love to hear what other funny stories he has from his life on the road. He's bound to have a lot considering the years he's been doing it.

[@martinkuliza]

Definitely he does

[@sirchromiumdowns2015]

I'm surprised Blackie hasn't written or authorized a biography. It would be a great read.

[@martinkuliza]

@@sirchromiumdowns2015 yes and it'd be called BLACKIE LAWLESS WHEN I FUCKED LIKE A BEAST (The Meat of the Controversy) LOL

[@johnnywinford7789]

There's not enough talks about clif. Thanks for sharing. I loved the dude. Bye the way, i have a friend that plays the drums. He's a diehard wasp fan. 🤘😎🤘

[@fartzr.schmelli3351]

I still FN love WASP to this day! They wrote some very good songs.

[@bgifford1969]

The first concert I went to was W.A.S.P. friggin awesome night. Thank you Blackie for the music. R.I.P. CLIFF

[@Leon.16]

Hilarious 😆. Cliff was an awesome bassist and Blackie is a very good musician and an awesome storyteller!

[@edmundkempersdartboard173]

May be getting older but still has a phenomenal voice.

[@juliangrant9718]

His voice is still shockingly amazing.

[@Bullski123]

@@juliangrant9718 He did the idol songs live and the rest was lip sync on his latest tour...

[@JamieLynnMorris]

Blackie is a treasure. 🥰

[@vintagetubeamplifiers]

Just saw him this past Saturday at the Arcada theater, INCREDIBLE show!

[@thesentinel5523]

Holy shit the Spinal Tap stuff really happens😂😂😂

[@Ouzo66]

I could listen to Blackie Lawless 24/7.....I swear 🔥🔥🔥🤟🤟🤟❤️🤟❤️🤟🎸🎸🍺

[@EmpiricalMind]

It's great to see a smart successful guy, with no hint of ego or condescension whatsoever, I've watched Blackie in many interviews and he is always grounded and humble, he's done this for a long time, and he keeps the "rock star" for the stage only, and that is the mark of a great gentleman, a legend.

[@speedyfinalmile]

Tell Chris he has no ego.

[@EmpiricalMind]

@@speedyfinalmile Well ya that's band politics, probably 99% of bands have ego battles

[@speedyfinalmile]

@@EmpiricalMind Yeah over royalties and song writing credits. Chris didn’t know that he was a session player. Most likely too messed up to read the contract.

[@EmpiricalMind]

@@speedyfinalmile Money is the root of all evil, how many bands have fallen out over money, that's why Rush decided very early in their career that whatever they earned they would split it up equally, regardless of who wrote the song or how much money it made.

[@RS-ol8or]

@@EmpiricalMind the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Nothing wrong with lawfully trying to earn a buck. But if it consumes us, yes, major problem.

[@PawpawJamz]

Absolute legend in the business. Like Dana Strum, most people haven't a clue the things these guys have been involved with. Great story.

[@ivoshandor6859]

Most people don’t even know who Dana Strum is.

[@rudimentaer4830]

@@ivoshandor6859 Dana Strum connected Ozzy with Randy Rhoads.

[@ivoshandor6859]

@@rudimentaer4830 I know, but I’d venture to say that most people don’t know that.

[@BlackieNuff]

Hahaha, that story is so simple, but yet so good. I guess it's just good to hear a little anecdote about Cliff.

[@dalemuzingo799]

Not many could reach his age and still sound as amazing as he does.

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

He is sharp as a tack!

[@error5714]

I have seen W.A.S.P. live multiple times. Blackie is a phenomenal vocalist and he is also a fantastic songwriter.

[@davecarberry8212]

That’s an awesome memory. You guys played phenomenal metal at a time when new wave was dominating the scene. I loved watching and learning from the masters of metal. God bless!

[@steveholbrook9472]

Great tour, Caught the Chicago show with the same lineup while stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Blackie and the Skull of blood. \m/

[@robrob8258]

Great interview.Thanks for sharing

[@stanbrown5425]

I was at the st.louis show of that tour with Metallica and Armored Saint Feb 15th 1985... Sr. In High School, Greatest days of my life..

[@Slapjabber]

Saw that show in a bar in Hartford, CT. Great times. We were in front, leaning on the stage and Blackie spit blood on a guy next to us, because he was holding up a sign, like a limo driver at the airport and it said “Blackie Balless”.

[@jons.4918]

One band I absolutely love but never had the opportunity to see live. Love ya Blackie still listening after all these years.

[@waspbitch6014]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Awesome! I love seeing B.L. laugh & smile! Thanks for sharing! 💖 🤘

[@stephenmcgraw8871]

Awesome story....gotta love Blackie...

[@hawktuner11]

That is awesome! Wished we could hear more stories from such legendary musicians

[@DoubleDJ86]

Awesome I needed that love both these bassist

[@lesotwell3561]

Right a daily radio show that actually plays some damn wasp. He would be phenomenal

[@KyleKalevra]

I saw Metallica open for WASP back in 1986 in Davenport, Iowa. Cliff is one of the primary reasons I started playing bass back then and still play to this day.

[@timothysmith160]

you lucky sonofa! aye, 80's were the best.

[@xphile01]

this is classic moment from the most special of times ( for most of us )! Hilarious! thanks for sharing this ...

[@evenleven]

Blackie should start a podcast. Interview old friends and people he likes and meets on the road. I would definatly consume that content.

[@fistyann8434]

Just caught him Wednesday night. Phenomenal.

[@cc_1983]

Heard this story before - brilliant!

[@ZACKSONFIRE]

This is gold!

[@natas-6747]

Haha Awesome story. Love Blackie!

[@wRonG765]

That was fantastic 👌

[@tracyturnbull7105]

Blackie Lawless is a legend

[@muggins57]

Lol great story and told so well!!

[@desr6991]

Picking on Blackie for getting older!!!!…..he,s 66,in rock no roll world,it’s amazing he,s still alive!!! Nice one Blackie

[@joesilva8484]

Man what a great and cool person Blackie Lawless is. Would be great to meet him and just sit and have a conversation with him about life. Glad to see they are out there touring again. Keep rocking guys just age is just a number. God bless you all. 👍🤘🎶🎤🎸

[@trashbagLasagna]

Thanx !

[@marcsingleton9430]

Blackie is so awesome...Love the man and the music he brought to us to enjoy.

[@vaevictis_]

Hell yeah man love Blackie!

[@skyeditor1740]

Oldie Law Abider.....Wow. What a great band and memories! The 80's Ruled!!

[@medicinegone]

Nice! I saw them this tour, in Columbus at the Newport. 1984 or 85.

[@unilarry]

Great story! I remember seeing Blackie at Forum Foundations heavy metal convention in Burbank. Very tall and eyes ablaze. Never had so much fun in my life then at the conventions!!

[@jamespotts8197]

Great story! I'm willing to bet, as long as Blackie Lawless has been in the game he's seen it all, done it all & knows them all. Great self-made ROCK GOD!!!!

[@user-km3pu8nd2i]

I listen to WASP for more then 40 years.one of the greatest rock bands for me.blackie still got the fire

[@JOSELOPEZ-qs8yq]

Blackie is a great story teller!

[@ItsMeScareCro]

I'm glad Blackie still sounds great!

[@fat__curious5580]

😂 As he is talking about it, i am imagining that scene in my head and it is hilarious 😂

[@ThaiThom]

That's a great story! One of the best I've heard in a while.

[@blugill]

A legend, a real legend! I'd love to hear a lot more from Blackie!

[@michaelbaker3598]

Saw wasp a few days ago in reno...armored saint and wasp killed it...at blackies age..doing what he does...the show he put on...was awesome

[@vibingwithvinyl]

This was great :D

[@redrum567]

Omg... I laughed my ass off at that! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@leddygee1896]

I can just picture that scenario in my mind!! Hilarious!!

[@MidLifeCrisisAdventures]

Oh god I'm dying here! 🤣

[@andretopy]

Saw Wasp with GWOR in Denver , unforgettable show. Blackie Lawless was 120% Would love to hear more stories especially with the NY Dolls

[@midwest1389]

Wasp kicks ass! imagine all the stories he could tell!?

[@ThomasMuller-jb5lh]

On of the greatest Heavy-Metal musicians! WASP (and Blackie) are great. I saw him live in Germany in Düsseldorf on a christmas special concert for round about 20 years.

[@alicevanderbruggen8711]

That's hella funny!! 😆 Bless all of your hearts! RIP Cliff🙏💛🙌

[@stumpwaterric]

Thanks for posting this. That is me asking that question. Meet and greet in Chicago worth every penny and then some.

[@timothysmith160]

aye 80's W.A.S.P was awesome, still listen to it today.

[@harveyhams1572]

I'm glad Blackie is getting older. It means he's still around.

[@evanisovich]

I’m thankful that Blackie is still alive to tell the tale.

[@qtheband751]

Great story.

[@2ghetto4greyhound55]

Oh-This is GREAT!👌

[@yogidemis8513]

Any story of Cliff is a good story.

[@martinkuliza]

Except the last one of course

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

Damn, this old dude went from Blackie Lawless to Whitey Law-Abiding.

[@DoomKid]

That has to be the most awful pun I’ve heard in a good while.

Precious!

[@Babassecretchannel]

Fan since 4 years old 🤘

[@Abner_Devereaux_Jr]

Awesome story! 🤘

[@galarius]

Reflections in St Louis, same tour

[@radioactive9861]

CLASSIC!

[@lenofdraw]

Cliff was a genuine guy. Love stories about him 😂

[@christhayil8354]

This is the damn funniest thing I heard all day!

[@chosenone7584]

Blackie is the man

[@wyldmansix7]

🤣🤣🤣 great little story from way back when, Long time fan of both bands.🤘🏼😎

[@petesashlyn]

I think every bit of footage I have seen of Cliff he has been laid back and mellow, but Blackie paints this picture of Cliff panicking like mad in this little dungeon to nowhere. What a great story. Would love to have seen the daggers in Hetfield's eyes at the time, having no idea Cliff is dealing with this high speed Spinal Tap moment right below their feet.

[@coughforme21]

Great story!

[@Loyallabb]

I love Blackie! I saw them at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville in like '85 I believe on "The Last Command " tour. Very front row, touching the stage, I was 12 and it was awesome. I still remember the smell of the fog machine smoke and it's now a nostalgic smell. This is also a beautiful story Blackie told.

[@phantomlord067]

Woah! My dad was at that show! He’s told me about it so much but we can’t find any record of it anywhere online! It’s cool to see someone else who was actually there.

[@MonteHoopla]

Blackie is a national treasue!... Who can say they lived through all that stuff?!.... Awesome

[@MikeL-yj4ds]

I saw a taping of Roseanne when it was the number one show. I'm glad to see she didn't give up show business after she got canceled!