Jason Newsted's Metallica Audition As Told By Lars Ulrich

[@imagereflection4826]

Jason was the best replacement they could have found, he lived and breathed Metallica. James, Lars and Kirk put him through the ringer to test his dedication and he passed every test. The amount of energy and passion he gave to every live show was incredible.

[@cbr9914]

he also made them TIGHT. they were really sloppy with cliff (not a bad thing). listen to the shows from cliff's last tour, then to newstead's first leg. it's night and day.

[@MetaITurtle]

Jason was a fan at heart that's why. In a way he was like all of us playing for Metallica because he was trying to keep the machine alive

[@jasoncampbell7863]

Jason has his own band called Newsted

[@jasoncampbell7863]

And he's back

[@SeanSMST]

​@@cbr9914Yeah cause Cliff wasn't a bassist at heart, he was a guitarist. He played sections on guitar first and then did them on bass. So really Jason was the first proper bassist they had that toured and recorded with them like Cliff did. Jason was holding down the fort extremely well.

[@bigtommy9715]

Jason’s backing vocals were there when James’s voice was shot and nearly raspless He was pure raw energy for a band that needed it

[@dirkhochstatter6984]

Witnessed this live in 1991. Sad for Jason that it didn‘t work at that time.

[@steveclem]

Jason was Metallica through and through. A great replacement for Cliff.

[@muriloninja]

There was absolutely no one better than Newsted to replace Cliff! Npbody could have filled his shoes yet Newsted stepped in, respected the hell out of Cliff but was true to himself and he brought an aggression to the band that even Cliff didn't have... Cliff was a "better" player in terms of musicality and that's great BUT Newsted was a true Metal Bass player and his aggressive attack just added so much to the sound, then his backing vocals. wow! He was with them during the prime years and got out at the right time!

[@baelorbreakspeartargaryen993]

His energy on the live shows was unbelievable!

[@fidacuca]

Through the never?

[@popsiclelanding]

I’d like to have a conversation with you about this topic if you wouldn’t mind

[@mrbeastmode32493]

Jason was TOO METAL for metallica...same with Dave mustaine. They couldn't handle either one. Shame on Jason for cutting his hair though...THATS NOT METAL... real metalheads let it grow until thier last breath, or straight bald like Kerry King and Scott Ian. Metallica just hasn't been metal since and justice for all...they're sellouts. Megadeth takes the cake everytime

[@lanemeyer9350]

Jason was the heart and soul of the Metallica live experience every time I saw them

[@truthhurts79]

That's cuz you're a come lately

[@sebg2086]

dont push to much

[@drumtum81]

@@truthhurts79 what does that even mean

[@Godloveszaza]

Naw James was the soul thats just the way it goes.

[@MetaITurtle]

Believe it or not, Jason wasn't loved right away by the fans when he joined. My Dad said he got a lot of hate from Bass players. Reason being : He used a pick. My Dad kind of gives them a hard time when I mention or play their music around him. But what can I say. When he was in the Marines, in LA at Whisky A GoGo bar, and he saw them when Dave was in the band.

[@ChannelForty2]

I grew up in the 90s so for me, newsted sill always be metallica to me! Easily he's my favorite! His live energy was just legendary, and badass vocals, ya newsted rules!

[@Trygvar13]

Yeah I agree. I lked Cliff and I was crushed when he passed away but Jason was perfect. Robert is good but Jason had a little something more. Just listen to the Black album. Load and Reload. I wasn't a big fan of Load and Reload in my younger days but now they are among my favourite Metallica albums. I don't like any of the new ones after St.Anger.

[@mattdad8429]

Jason brought the live shows to new heights. They were a little more subdued and laid back with Cliff. When they lost him it forced them to tap into that visceral rage that lent itself so well to their late-80s vibe.

[@truthhurts79]

Said like a true come lately

[@chadgrov]

Same I got to see Metallica twice in two consecutive years ‘97 and ‘98 the former being the cunning stunts tour they did, with the stage collapse and dude running out fully on fire n shit. Pretty wild for a 13 year old lol also the first time I ever smelled pot

[@chadgrov]

@@Trygvar13 it was his backing vocals, he helped with some of the heavy lifting that James was doing. And I think his playing style - using a pick gave them such a heavy thunderous sound

[@F3502000]

Jason was one of the guys that made me want to play bass. He was also a big part of why I got into Metallica when I did. He did right by these guys.

[@thelolguy007]

Jason was Metallica to the bone. He was the real deal. They should have never let him go. He’s still missed and hasn’t been replaced. His stage presence alone was immense

[@blonkeddleharvey2308]

They didn't let him go. Jason voluntarily quit.

[@hanzohasashi4534]

Jason: Oops I forgot to turn my amp on. Lars: You're in.

[@TheRipper77]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rupert916]

Jason wrote the riff to blackened and misery…the man was undeniable

[@willharry6835]

As much as I love Cliff, Jason is probably my favorite Metallica bassist. First of all he was a great bassist when he was in the band and also his skills as a vocalist is what set him apart from Cliff or Rob in comparison cause Jason was often times the main vocalist on songs like Whiplash or Seek and Destroy. He complimented Hetfield perfectly on vocals and I personally believe that he made Metallica tighter live. I just wished that they would've let him contribute more cause Jason is a great songwriter. He's the one who came up with Blackened's main riff and allegedly the idea of the reverse intro was also his. And I would encourage anyone to go listen to the album Doomsday for the Deceiver from Flotsam and Jetsam, Jason's previous band before Metallica. He was the primary songwriter there and that album is great thrash/speed metal album.

[@jasonashby9875]

Cliff was a genius, he was by far the best of the best even newstead said he was the Jimi hendrix of bass ,if you seen cliff live you would be blown the fuck away ,just my opinion seeing old school Metallica back before anyone even knew who they were, people would make fun of us listening to just noise,well it ain't fucking noise now is it,keep your stick on the ice and metal up your ass.

[@loukola5353]

Jason was never a great songwriter. He proved that with Echobrain and his Newsted band. Neither went anywhere.

[@willharry6835]

@@loukola5353 Again I will point you to go listen to the album Doomsday for the Deceiver from Flotsam and Jetsam and tell me Jason was never a great songwriter. Blackened's main riff which is arguably one of Metallica's best riffs was written by him. Also, to be successful in music there's a lot of factors to consider. I'm sure there's a lot of bands out there that were a lot more technical than bands like Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer at the time but never made it anywhere.

[@Rockjesu]

Cliff's compositions were so much better than Jason's. And I love Jason.

[@willharry6835]

@@Rockjesu yeah Cliff’s compositions were great, but it’s a bit hard to compare knowing that Jason wasn’t even given the real freedom and space to actually contribute. And the only times he contributed, we got Blackened which is arguably Metallica’s greatest song and also My Friend of Misery which Jason wanted to be an instrumental and I believe there’s something else he contributed to. When it comes to composition, Cliff was the superior bassist tho Jason had lots of potential. However, Jason was a lot more tight than Cliff in Studio and Live and his bass tone was a lot better than Cliff’s. Just listen to the isolated bass tracks to some of the songs on AJFA compared to Cliff’s isolated tracks. Jason was a more precise bassist, though Cliff had shown better compositional skills and his backing vocals were amazing. At the end of the day they were both amazing bassists.

[@bassican7]

Jason is my hero. I wish everything could have been different for them 4 because Jason is the real deal.

[@badcabbage66]

Newsted will always be my favorite Metallica bassist 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@larryreno8293]

Absolutely… his stage presence was a perfect fit with Metallica.

[@daBEAGLE1017]

Cliff!!!!

[@perpetualmotion357]

@@daBEAGLE1017 I know it's all opinion, but it boggles my mind how someone could take Jason over Cliff if they are familiar with both era's. Cliff literally did everything better, from stage presence to the writing. He helped transform the band out of the straight KEA thrash era into the epic RTL sound which truly captured the sound that took Metallica into the stratosphere and left everyone else in the dust. The songs Jason did contribute to were quality though. A lot of times being the best on the album. I just see no comparison to the monster that was Cliff. Just compare Jason's isolated bass track of Ktulu on S&M to Ktulu Live at the Lyceum Theater 84.' The difference is so absurd I shouldn't even be comparing them.

[@daBEAGLE1017]

@@perpetualmotion357 I guess that's why I'm into 80s Metallica and not 90s.

[@perpetualmotion357]

@@daBEAGLE1017 That's what ends up happening to most of their fans. Even if people got into them from TBA or later, all that did was expose them to their 80's material. It's been happening since Enter Sandman hit the mainstream. The truth is that KEA-AJFA made and kept them being the biggest metal band in the world. They just needed that one radio friendly bullet to pierce the mainstream and expose that audience to their real artillery which was the 80's material. The sad part about it was once they crossed that bridge it just got worse and worse. Just compare 86' Metallica to 96.' Completely unrecognizable in every way. Everything suffered. I'd honestly rather go to a holographic show of 80's Metallica with Cliff than see them today. The people who got to see them in that short time frame are unbelievably lucky.

[@CPlusDrums]

James, Lars, Kirk and Jason was my MetallicA. It's crazy though, to think that Rob has been in the band longer than Jason was. Still, I prefer Jason 1000%

[@lexbeltran1354]

Same here. Jason had good, back up vocals👍

[@anick82]

Agreed. My cousin introduced me to them in '91 with the Black Album when I was 9. I grew up with them in the 90's. I do like Rob, and enjoyed his stuff with suicidal tendencies, Ozzy, Degradation Trip with Jerry Cantrell.

[@Fister_of_Muppets]

Rob has now been in the band as long as all previous bass players combined.

[@MrParkerman6]

Rob has been in the band longer than Jason and Cliff combined!

[@stratrovarius]

I agree...also Rob is longer in Metallica than Jason & Cliff combined.

[@ivanduc72]

Cliff is Legend - Jason is the Right Man - Rob is the Friend. That's how I see the three MetallicA bassplayers. Everyone with his own style,.. simply.

[@billytrance6893]

AGREED!! Nice way to put it

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

"We needed a strong personality." (14 years later) "You do this Echobrain shit on the side, we're kicking you out of the band." (6 months later) *"HE FOKKING LEFT THE BAND!!"*

[@sarahramirez5233]

that was james, not lars

[@icaanul]

@@sarahramirez5233 James and Lars are like mom and dad of the band. They side with each other on those decisions. AJFA decision was both, not just Lars as is the common belief(evidence in a comment james made in A year and a half in the life of...). Photoshoot in part 2 of the documentary - "He thinks that because he's in the mix now that we have to wait for him." - James And when you hear where James' mute frequencies are eating up the mix, he was in on that decision, too. Funny enough, they made his guitar sound thin af by not letting the bass mend to it. What it really comes down to is they BOTH act shtty towards people and one of them takes blame but they're mom and dad of metallica. They collaborate those decisions. Lars knew it risked putting them on hold and potentially producing material they would have liked to use in metallica. Especially since they were dried up creatively.

[@XxSEETH3RxX]

Meanwhile the band was still put on hold right after Jason left when James went into rehab. He spent a year. So Jason could've done the Echobrain thing all along while James was in rehab

[@danicadabic9789]

Legend.

[@Alexandria87]

​@@XxSEETH3RxX I didn't even think of that but you're right

[@404social]

So sad hearing that they were looking for song writing and then he left because he was never utilised beyond 3 songs

[@mylodassen7641]

And all 3 songs are great

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

And then he wrote songs for another band and they got ALL SORTS of pissed about it and he said y'know what F you guys and quit lol.

[@boxinggospel5334]

@@designercaolho Newsted was a great band.

[@midnight347]

@@designercaolho blackened is my fav Metallica song. My friend of misery is also great.

[@simplebutnotsolongname6642]

Mostly because apparently the stuff he brought in were Thrash, and Metallica weren’t doing that in the 90s; with the exception of the 2 odd ideas he had that they picked out (which became My Friend of Misery, and Where the Wild Things Are).

[@logistikman4602]

for me is Jason number ONE. I miss him so much

[@Uzurr69]

Lars was always very formal and professional back then.

[@NikoFrederiko.]

Business genius.

[@Duarki]

He was essentially the manager in the 80’s, people saying he’s useless is dumb, he was the driving force that took them from underground to the front pages, musically, from a buisness side n from a manger aspect, he did a lot more then any of them to get them to where they got in the early 90’s.

[@ernieball7567]

@@Duarki well said man. I try to ignore people’s ignorance and comments about Lars. It’s kind of hard sometimes because how can some people be so stupid ? Love him or hate him, the guy’s vision and drive has taken Metallica farther than they could have imagined. Although talent is very important, it is only one of the many , many pieces of the puzzle. If the business side of the band is not right,. See how long that lasts ?! Unfortunately and ironically Newsted fell victim to bad business decisions with his last band.

[@andrewwebster2598]

I don’t know what he contributed in terms of song writing, but he certainly had a vision of where he wanted Metallica to go & always seems to have been the band’s spokesperson

[@Duarki]

@@andrewwebster2598 u don’t know what he contributed in terms of song writing? do u understand he’s the primary arranger? he has more to do with the riffs then Kirk, a perfect example is master of puppets, that was ONE SINGLE chromatic run. ONCE. then straight into the “main riff” TWICE. then James had the chords of the verse. so basically James wrote mop as a single chromatic run, that led into the main riff repeated twice. then he had the chords of the verse. lars is the guy that broke each section down n turned it into phrases, and repeated certain sections, made repeated sections lead up to a rhythmic drop or change ect. that’s why he has song writing credits, not because he “played the drums”

[@j.uiriagain9813]

Replacing the irreplaceable. Jason did a fucking outstanding job he brought a new dynamic a different energy he slotted right in. But the fact is that Jason is the only person that has ever had connection to Metallica that wanted Jason Newsted in Metallica Im sure he would have had it under different circumstances but as it stands nobody wanted him there. And everyone wishes he never had been in Metallica, not because of his playing or him directly im just pretty sure everyone would have preferred Cliff to not die. He has to be the toughest mf alive today to say he survived the hell those 3 surely put him through.

[@RatBotEins]

In Jason's own words "hell" lasted about 6 months, then it wasn't so bad as people say.

[@cadrejeff]

I’m pretty sure Kirk and Jason were close. Kirk was the first person he talked to about leaving the band, and Kirk was the only one supporting his ideas while James and Lars just shut them down.

[@j.uiriagain9813]

@@RatBotEins the hazing might have lasted 6 months but the resentment definitely lasted his entire tenure and that is understandable considering the circumstances. Those 3 didn't even give themselves time to start processing their friend and band mate's death, Jason was brought out to finish tour dates postponed due to Cliff I think there was only a few weeks he was with Metallica on tour before he joined full time. they self admittedly dealt with their grief by never confronting it instead drinking snorting and shooting it up. Jason would have been the scapegoat.

[@scaccu]

Holy shit, Cliff parents processed the loss of their son easily than Lars and James apparently. Still today they used it as an excuse for everything, i got tired and i call it bs at this point.

[@TheNothing6]

0:16 My favorite Metallica! I still love the boys, but that is the version that smoked everyone!

[@marcdewey1242]

James Lars and Kirk weren't looking for a replacement for Cliff simply because he was in a class by himself and couldn't be replaced,but Jason respected Cliff and wasn't trying to replace him,the two had completely different playing styles anyway.

[@neveleleven2673]

I was in the first wave of auditions: thank you to Kirk and Lars for the opportunity to play. Jamming "Four Horsemen" with you two was epic: "Horsemen are drawing nearer..." - that ascending scale burns in my memory, I know it hit! I was too young (17), not long enough hair (getting there now) and too into Grateful Dead then. To this day, I never play Anethesia outside the home, but I now know the first three albums cold. Mr. Hetfield made clear at the audition that solo should not be played - did not fully understand at the time, but sure do now. Shout out to Jackson St. Studios. Shout out to the Comet pinball machine I worked over when visiting Jackson St.

[@jimmywest4757]

R.I.P. Cliff. We metalheads all wonder what could have been 🤘

[@h8red2]

Can you imagine how much better Justice would have sounded. Heartbreaking.

[@MikaelLV]

@@h8red2 Blackened, one of their best ever riffs would not exist then

[@h8red2]

@@MikaelLV True. But that’s the thing with “what if’s”, you never know. Hard to believe, but we might have gotten a better song.

[@axxion231]

@@h8red2 blackened is the best song on that album imo, everything happens for a reason

[@perpetualmotion357]

I think Dyers Eve is almost as good as Blackened. What makes Blackened sound so epic is that slow build up into the kick as riff that was Jason's. I'll definitely give him credit for that. The AJFA riff tapes are a very interesting listen. Dyers Eve has this wicked intro that they should have left on the album. Cliff was definitely a different animal. Anyone that doubts this should go find Call of Ktulu Live at the Lyceum theater 84.' The bass is louder than every other instrument (which should have been the case on the studio version) he literally conjures up Ktulu with his bass. Most people think Orion is his masterpiece (which I did for a long time, it is a great song) but over the years that's changed to Ktulu. It should have been a staple in their setlist with Cliff.

[@danzemacabre8899]

The best bass work Jason ever recorded was the flotsam and jetsam album he did

[@zztop2ful]

Still think Newsted doesn't get much credit for his musical skills, people mostly praise him for his attitude, passion on stage like he's some kind of Sid Vicious or a band groupie but he co-wrote damn Flotsam Jetsam first record which is to me one of the best thrash albums. He's a really great bassist.

[@markcatron8996]

I've seen Metallica many times. Jason by far one of my favorite members of that band.

[@guyincogneto8979]

"We needed someone we could dump ALL of our grief on and the poor bastard took the gig".

[@robertthorn8233]

I was at Jason’s second gig in Anaheim/Jezebels. The gig was amazing..look for it-on u-tube.I was in front of James the entire time…Met Lars afterwards,talked for a bit,.super kool cat.X

[@kevinshepard7796]

Lucky dude

[@perpetualmotion357]

I never minded Jason but the band was a different animal with Cliff. Even the backup vocals I preferred Cliff doing because he never over does it and they were just as intense. When he was in the band, they literally did embody the 4 horsemen of metal. Cliff was practically the leader of the band with James when it came to the music. He was one of the highlights of the live show. I suggest people take a listen to the live version of Call Of Ktulu at the Lyceum Theater 84.' Cliff literally conjures Ktulu with his bass. It should have been cranked that loud on the studio version. If I didn't think I could think high enough of Cliff before listening to that, I was wrong. I used to think Orion was his masterpiece but anymore it's his contribution to Ktulu. I never felt like Rob fit the band well, especially in the beginning. Newsted could never fill Cliff's shoes but he was still a better fit than Rob, even if he could get a bit cheesy at times. When I saw Rob's stupid crabwalk right when Metallica dipped their toes into that St. Anger Nu-Metal sound (which was atrocious, and I know Bob played on the album) I finally saw why they may have chosen him.

[@doublestrokeroll]

Totally disagree. To me Rob's the best bassist they've ever had. I'm a Cliff era fan and I love his approach to the instrument...essentially "lead bass"....but Rob's pocket is way better than either of them. He's just a far superior player in almost every regard and he really has become the reason they still sound so tight. And I don't even particularly like any of the newer metallica stuff. But I know talent when I hear it. There was that comment that Kirk made in some kind of monster when Rob plays Battery with them, where he says "It hasn't been played that way since Cliff". Now, that's probably a bit of a cheap shot directed toward Jason on the part of Kirk, but the bottom line is, he's right. Him playing that is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. The pocket he has in a song like Battery is just phenomenal and really it's even better than Cliff. I know that's sacrilege to bias fanboys but I've never believed in sacred cows, and Cliff kind of has become one. He was a great player, but he wasn't THAT great.

[@jimtom5027]

I saw them in April 86 in Indianapolis and went into the Army stationed in Germany fall of 86 had tickets to see them in Frankfurt but then the bus accident

[@supernothing77]

As much as Trujillo being a virtuoso musician, Jason sounds so way better in Metallica and his backing vocals also better.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

They never let Trujillo do his thing in Metallica TBH.

[@supernothing77]

@@TheAgentAssassin yeah what his thing be? Some slapping and popping, some jazzy runs? He also didn't do his thing in Ozzy. It doesn't work for that kind of music. Jason was %100 metal

[@patrickgraham3593]

Replacing Cliff was like replacing Randy Rhodes. Impossible but Jason was the guy to try and fill those great shoes.

[@jacktodd3439]

He had such hard time in this band and yet still was 100% there giving all he could. Robb is ok but I feel for us old Metallica fans Jason awlays will be the best along with Burton.

[@djek1976]

100%

[@smarkmalark]

I don’t get this mindset with Rob. He very much is better than Jason, and is on par with, if not even better than Cliff, and had great live presence. He may not have been as creative as Cliff (which is what makes him the greatest) but he definitely has the technical abilities. Jason had the better live look and act, but I think Rob is just as good and could do just as much as Jason. He’s not just “Okay”

[@UmairAR23]

​@@smarkmalark Personally I think Rob is great and is in my opinion the better bass player. But the thing that I loved about Jason was his backing vocals. Complimented Hetfield perfectly and added a lot to their live performances.

[@evancole6852]

@@smarkmalark I personally think its because Rob has never been included in a groundbreaking Metallica album like Cliff or Jason. Its a shame that Metallica simplified their sound to the most cookie cutter heavy metal formula right when they hired one of the best heavy metal bassists. 72 seasons doesnt seem to be changing this pattern considering the 2 singles released so far sound like the exact same stuff we heard on Hardwired.

[@ozricness]

@@evancole6852 Totally agree with the first thing you said. Last one too, unfortunately.

[@Mudnuri]

And after he quit, he lives happily ever after!

[@ArturGordonPim]

He was awesome in Flotsam & Jetsam also!!

[@cupchamp5]

Lars 1986: "HE FOCKING JOINED THE BAND!!" Lars 2001: "HE FOCKING LEFT THE BAND!!!"

[@Lexsoufz]

3:44 Kirk’s subtle “or a million years” really hit hard for some reason.

[@perpetualmotion357]

I was wondering who said that. Lar's "10 years" was insulting. Lars has made some sketchy comments about Cliff over the years, from they would have done Load and Reload sooner to "He might not even have fit in the band" when they were auditioning for STA. Which I suppose is a compliment because I really do hate that album and Cliff was always better than that. "A million years" is a lot closer to the truth than 10 if you were trying to find an equal replacement. Was never gonna happen.

[@danielkinn782]

Jason was the true talent of Metallica back then. Only one not willing to sell out. The best metal ambassador!

[@BatFan1]

the first to cut his hair...

[@martycarter3306]

And Jason did the black album. Sell out..cliff burton stayed true to Metallica. From kill em all to master of puppets...all heavy...and justice for all was also a great album..Jason..no bass..James and lars still felt that cliff should have been on that album...

[@danielkinn782]

@marty carter hair has nothing to do with metal. There's no bass because Lars and James told the producers to do it that way. Have you heard And Jason For All? His base lines are incredible.

[@willharry6835]

@@BatFan1 Stupid take. Would you then say that a guy like Phil Anselmo is not metal cause he cut his hair?

[@BatFan1]

@@willharry6835 clearly this went over your head. I was making light of the fact that every "fan" lost their shit when the band cut its hair and called them sellouts. The OP mentioned Jason not being a sellout. I merely brought up the fact he was the first to do it.

[@zgamer1154]

"Someone who can contribute with the song writing". That hurts so much to hear, from '86 to 2001, Jason only wrote three songs with Metallica and only one was played live with him and Where the Wild Things Are still hasn't been played live.

[@nicholaslynch522]

Where The Wild Things Are is a fantastic song.

[@rudevalve]

Certified Gold!!!!!😎

[@frez777]

right from Battle Creek Michigan

[@johnmcminn9455]

it is funny seeing Robert T play guitar with the other guys in the room, James and Kirk , they look so scared , " I can't do that" James and Kirk , you can tell it's them from a block away , thank God they did it their own way!

[@johnhasso8908]

Ol' Kirkus was ahead of the curve - into TMNT back in '86

[@paulp9274]

If you were into comics in the mid 80s, TMNT were a phenomenon. Dan Spitz in Anthrax had a guitar with Donatello painted on it.

[@billgabert3944]

Jason was a badass on stage, I saw them 6 times with him over the years , saw them with Rob in 2018 and it was good but didn't have the Jason energy

[@theshapeexists]

Agreed. Jason also sang with more energy than James. He brought so much intensity to the stage it made the other guys seem lazy by comparison. Last time I saw Jason was summer sanitarium tour in 2000 at the old mile high stadium in Denver. Good times

[@thesenate3068]

Jason unleashed the beast. Trujillo:🦀

[@jesussotelo4775]

Jason kept the Metal in Metallica during the 90s, had it not been for him,any shred of metal cred Metallica would have had after the black album would go out the window.

[@JC-bl9bo]

For the life of me I don't understand why he is so hated. Seems like a funny dude, always gives great answers, thoughtful answers. He was just a super driven guy which I guess rubbed people the wrong way.

[@theoutlawtorn]

Exactly

[@briancanning6688]

He was never hated...lol

[@JC-bl9bo]

@@briancanning6688 😲 seriously? That's your take?

[@JC-bl9bo]

@@nicholsonjay4724 right, I forgot about that. Never bothered me because stealing is stealing. Stealing music is no different in my opinion.

[@mikemacdonald2032]

​@@JC-bl9bo but at the same time, Lars and James were listening to bootlegs of venom and iron maiden!

[@crashburn3292]

Jason getting the job with Metallica turned into maybe the biggest "careful what you wish for" moments in music history.

[@NeonBlazeMusic]

Why, the dude had an amazing run with one of the best bands of the century.

[@TheJbhmetal]

With for?

[@crashburn3292]

@@TheJbhmetal - Rhetorical question? I answer for you anyway: It seems fairly obvious I typed a T instead of an S, so, "wish" turned into "with." So, there's your answer.

[@crashburn3292]

@@NeonBlazeMusic - "Be careful what you wish for...." is an idiom used to suggest that you may not eventually want it what get. Yes, he got a dream job, saw the world, became wealthy beyond his dreams. ... He was also hazed by James and Lars for years, was marginalized, hazed, bullied and controlled so much he eventually quit the band and never regretted doing so. That's the point.

[@fatimapalacios2292]

@@crashburn3292 And made millions. That's more than the rest of us bullied kids can show for proof of years of bullying.

[@panorama4526]

I wouldn ´t believe that water is wet when it comes from Ulrich.

[@eidodk]

That's because water isn't wet. it MAKES things wet.

[@mohawkmike142]

Nothing against Robert but it's still a tragedy that James chased Jason away. The band lives on but he (jason) was an integral part of the bands best years. ROCK ON JN !!!

[@kamaboko1]

The irony. They wanted someone who could contribute to the song writing, yet one of the main reasons he left was because he couldn’t contribute to the song writing.

[@ScepticGinger89]

"Someone who would contribute some stuff in song writing" Ironic. Wasn't the fact that they wouldn't let Jason contribute anything the reason why he started Echobrain and eventually left Metallica?

[@larryreno8293]

No disrespect to RT, Jason was the perfect fit for Metallica. Damn shame it couldn’t last.

[@ethanbarc]

Cliff Burton tragically died in Sweden while on tour in Metallica on September 27th of 1986 43 days after his death Jadon Newsted was welcomed into the band and toured with them until they recorded their album and Justice for all from January 28 to May 1st 1988 and it was released on August 25th 1988 their album after Burtons death and their first album to future Jason Newsted on bass guitar for the first time ever.

[@lardechristophe6]

Respect for this guy who came from Flotsam. For me after cliff it was more the same. the first four years will remain pure madness. After that it's different.

[@AntonioVideo]

No disrespect to Rob but I miss Jason in the band.

[@scaccu]

Cliff parents processed the loss of their son easily than Lars and James apparently. Still today they used it as an excuse for everything, i got tired and i call it bs at this point.

[@Kardaszpm]

Interviewer had a chance to ask Lars to name the four guys and see if any of them made it with other bands.

[@Jacen13]

I’m just glad Cliff got to know about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles before he passed. You can see Kirk holding a comic & you know he showed it to his buddy.

[@DrunkyMonkey1000]

Is there a list of bassists they auditioned back in the late 80?Just wondering who were the guys?

[@SnipinG1337]

Les Claypool was one of the guys who auditioned

[@davedixon2167]

I love Cliff's work, I love Jason's work. I love Rob's work in other bands - he's a phenomenal player - but I've always felt he wasn't *exactly* right for Metallica.

[@YesOkayButWhy]

Rob Trujillo will soon be in the band longer than Ron, Cliff and Jason combined.

[@supernothing77]

But only 2 albums thus far

[@Doyledeth]

@@supernothing77 3 albums, technically because there are 2 new songs out. The album is done, they are just putting the finishing touches on it.

[@PrOzAc_-_-_13]

@@supernothing77 Technically, 3 LPs (Death Magnetic, Hardwired To Self Destruct and the upcoming 72 Seasons), 1 EP (Beyond Magnetic) and 1 Live album (S&M2).

[@garryaldridge7325]

And sucks

[@nicholaslynch522]

And it's the worst era of Metallica. They've not been great, IMO since 1999.

[@BigSunn0]

Jason best replacement bassist ever.

[@briancantu2365]

Kirk talking in the phone booth in 1986 "What do you mean cell phones are the future, man?!"........

[@thirteenthandy]

Anyone remember who those other three finalists were? I don't recall ever hearing that detail.

[@marshallkrich]

Only one that I ever heard that auditioned was Les Claypool from Primus.

[@thirteenthandy]

@@marshallkrich I can't imagine he was one of the 4 finalists, even as amazing a player as he is.

[@DemaZengin]

I never mean to disrespect Cliff's talents he is truly gifted, but personally I love Jason's aggresive play style and the soul he put in songs more than Cliff's.

[@eriyuselhadad532]

Metallica, My Favorite 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@fredrikradsby5503]

Love cliff but Jazon was my guy... The fuckin ⚡ Energy ⚡

[@HvyMetal4Ever]

3:15 - someone who could contribute stuff in song writing. yyyeeeaahhh - in 15 years, he was given two writing credits. The guy helped write killer shit with F&J. He could have written a ton of material, but James never would have allowed it.

[@pascalcooper4518]

This doesn't talk about his audition at all. I have another audio recording of Lars telling a completely different story about how they got Jason.

[@ernesteison7979]

Jason Newsted was an excellent fit for the band, but he was never a replacement. You can't replace Cliff and everything he brought to the band.

[@chadgrov]

It’s crazy when I was a kid in the 90’s it felt like Jason was in the band forever but you get older and realize he was only in Metallica for what 14 years or so? Man I miss Jason. Rob is awesome but he just doesn’t do it for me, but that could also be cuz I kinda feel Metallica haven’t been Metallica since the late 90’s. Just my opinion but they haven’t done a good album since Garage Inc which aren’t even their songs and a good chunk of them are from the 80’s even

[@ned1621]

Then they treated him like a doormat for the next 14 years or whatever. I mean I thought he was bloody brilliant live and with the fans. Sad being treated like shit like that and feeling I've had enough, I'm leaving the biggest metal band on the planet, it had to have been a hard decision to make... They should remaster Justice with the bass in it, it would sound even better. A fan since 85..

[@RatBotEins]

This is false. In Jason's OWN WORDS, they put him on trial and did a bunch of pranks and bunch of other stuff for about 6 months, and according to him, he would have done the same. They needed to know he was the guy that could fit not only with their music but them as people and with their lifestyle, and after that it wasn't so bad, he said. And he didn't actually join Metallica in that moment, he was hired to tour with them and officially joined months later in 1987.

[@RatBotEins]

@@medved3027 I am not saying he was treated in the best possible way, but a myth has been building up that he was treated like shit for 15 years, and by Jason's own words that is not true.

[@redghettosun]

If anyone's familiar with Mick Wall's autobiography of Metallica from 2011 called Enter Night, Wall wrote that Lars had buyer's remorse soon after hiring Jason. Roughly around 1987 (after finishing their tour commitments) he tried to get Jason Newsted fired from Metallica but was overruled by management, who told him Newsted is the right guy for the job and just get used to it. Lars simply did not get on with Jason personally but just had to tolerate him for practical reasons.

[@Big_Sierra]

That seems a little bit like BS because Jason and Lars are still close to this day.

[@redghettosun]

@@Big_Sierra There were more than a few things in that book that probably was BS. If Lars and Jason were ever close they kept it a well guarded secret. With James, possibly at some point but I never got that impression with Lars.

[@Big_Sierra]

@@redghettosun Right. Maybe Lars just warmed up to him over time and developed a friendship. Or maybe James wanted Jason out and the task fell to Lars. Who knows, right?

[@redghettosun]

@@Big_Sierra The guys in Metallica put Jason through a lot of grief with the hazing that lasted for years. That's the one aspect no one in the group will admit to. They were probably daring him to quit and he almost did. Check out an interview with Jason and Kirk called: Metallica Birmingham 05.11.1992 and look at Kirk's reaction when Jason answers the interviewer's question. It starts in the 20 min mark.

[@CalebePriester]

I HATE how they treated Jason, bullying him and stuff, mocking him, putting him down, giving him Hell and so on! I hope they all burn in Hell!

[@ML.80]

So, who were the other 3 guys who made it to the final 4?

[@landeny65]

Joey Vera, John Bush and Hulk Hogan, I believe

[@jamesestrada82]

@@landeny65you forgot Pee-Wee Herman

[@andjustjizzforall]

Sid Vicious

[@joemullaley6531]

wheres the part about hulk hogan joining?

[@garryaldridge7325]

Jason is unreplaceable,if cliff was Alive he quit metallica some day

[@mrtruth1748]

Lars is a summers eve.

[@jamesdelaney3797]

Lars: we needed a guy who wouldn't quit after i cut his bass line out of a whole album

[@AdrianJeffreys-fj2fv]

This had to be incredibly difficult for them i couldn't imagine plus trying to replace a guy like cliff he was a solid bassist who played for the song but he was musical their mentor he taught them how to write and arrange i think in my humble opinion that injustice was a triumph yet also a tragic mistake that album sonically blows cock but musically its a progressive masterpiece i think it was a blue print for modren progressive metal and they blew it with the next few albums they might not have been as rich and powerful but they could have pushed bthe envelope in progressive metal

[@Fister_of_Muppets]

HE LEFT THE FOCKING BAND

[@tedlarson2078]

And that took balls

[@jaymann5180]

"He focking left the band", you mean.

[@Alpiste_1846_official]

"nieeeee?"

[@Fister_of_Muppets]

@@jaymann5180 he left the band, focking

[@jaymann5180]

@@Fister_of_Muppets focking he left the band.

[@scrivster]

"needed someone who could contribute to songwriting"

[@ChrisFjelde]

If they let him write more, Metallica would have been much more interesting through the 90s.

[@rudygracia5573]

Lars always reminded me of Luther(David Kelly)from"The Warriors".Kinda looks and talks the same.I keep waiting for Lars to say"The Warriors did it,The Warriors shot Cyrus!!"...

[@Kr1ssz]

the reason why Jason left the band is "he won this job". I mean he was an employed in the band.

[@richardmitchell8213]

There are only a handful of bass players who can't be replaced and all of those sing, in my opinion any non singing bass players can be substituted without too much of a drop off in quality.

[@jt1929]

Replacing Cliff Burton is like trying to replace Jaco Pastorius or John Entwistle.

[@redrick8900]

That's because you are ignorant.

[@Journey-of-1000-Miles]

Jason is also the nicest and most down to earth person. I totally understand why he got sick and tired of James and Lars always compare dick size. Jason was a godsend for Metallica, and they only took him for granted.

[@Benjawin6671]

Cliffs death was truly the moment Metallica lost their status as a groundbreaking force. The progression from Master of Puppets to ...And Justice for All isn't nearly as big as say from Kill to RtL or from RtL to Puppetz. Ride the Lightning is their magnum opus and I truly think that the main factor is Cliff who helped write 6 of the 8 songs and the 2 that aren't credited to him are the least popular from the album for a reason.

[@AECJ1]

Cliff Burton+ Memory Eternal+ May Perpetual Light shine upon him and by the Mercy of God may he rest in peace Amen 🙏+ Good morning 🌄 Prayers for the world resilient survival. R U Slap Happy? #SlapHappy Talk to God Walk Your Dog #TalkToGodWalkYourDog #drumwalk #drumtalk #aecjdrumwalk #dreamhome

[@emilornkloo349]

It's funny Lars said that they got Jason because he could help them with songwriting. Sad for Jason.

[@ArneAnders1-el7uo]

The way they treated him would've enraged Cliff

[@jonr9518]

Lars is a fantastic tuba player

[@sbgraider4293]

And James can play an excellent clarinet.

[@AndrewWickham-oo1ul]

Funny that LU says they want someone who could contribute to songwriting....how many credits did he end up getting 3

[@HeathenDance]

"A strong player, with a strong personality. I know he doesn't have any of them, but anyway..." - Lars can be such an asshole.

[@fiendfrank]

...and then James made him quit.

[@plungecomics]

The video docu when they talk about Jason's Bass playing whn they were recording Black Album should tell you enough that he was the only that could repace Cliff. And not one has filled that mantle since. I mean just listen to the music since. ;) also see kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXjcqaavj62Kh80

[@garyv2498]

Lars failed to be honest with himself. He thought he needed a bass player because other bands hand one. But deep in his heart he felt it was unnecessary.

[@redrick8900]

He cares more about who the bass player is than the rest of Metallica.

[@PvtGrips-vh7ti]

Have you ever played the mental exercise... "What if _____ died instead of Cliff"

[@TheSilencer1776]

No doubt. Newstead is the shit.

[@groovelife415]

I prefer the Jason era over the Cliff era. Had they given Jason the same voice in the band that Cliff had, he would have outshined Cliff even more.