Robert Trujillo On Motown, Geddy Lee And 20 Years In Metallica

Here’s part 2 of my interview with Robert Trujillo of Metallica, as we get ready for another show Sunday night with Five Finger Death Punch and Ice Nine Kills.
We started off the conversation this time talking about the impact that Motown had on him. “That was 100% in my wheelhouse.” He told me about growing up listening to that music, and then being turned onto rock and metal. “There isn’t a bass player in rock, in metal, and sort of in modern music, that’s serious about their instrument that doesn’t respect those bass lines coming out of Detroit”. That led us to more bass talk and guys who inspired him.
Robert talked about Detroit’s “swagger” and all the history and music from here. “There’s a soulfulness to it.” He also talked about his love for Houdini and everything he did in the Motor City.
I had to ask him about the upcoming project he has coming out with the legendary RUSH bass player, Geddy Lee. He spoke to really getting a chance to hang with Geddy. “He wanted to know what it’s like in the world of Robert Trujillo” Robert was fired up about the whole experience “It was really, really cool.” He told a story about Geddy watching his son play at a local bar. He said people were blown away that the Canadian legend was there.
I asked him about re-recording the Ozzy Osbourne album Diary of a Madman. “That’s an interesting story,” he said, and he was off and running about that project. He said he’s always there for Ozzy and Sharon, commenting “Ozzy is my hero”.
2003 was a monumental year for Robert. He called it the year that changed his life. “So many things happened.” He spoke about joining the band and the work ethic that playing in Metallica brings. “That’s the thing about this band, it’s always 100%”. He said when he joined the band, it was about fitting in and not bothering the other guys, but just trying to learn as he went.
A huge thank you to Robert and his management Q Prime for the chance to talk with him. Also, thank you to Erin Gellert and Adan Armandriz for all the help!

[@carlgibbons5777]

Love the respect he shows for Geddy Lee. Seems like a very down to Earth guy.

[@michaelhussey9156]

I’ve been saying this since the first time I heard him with Suicidal Tendencies, Robert Trujillo is THE best heavy metal bassist and straight up in my opinion the best bassist over all…That’s quality parenting right there and look at his son bringin’ it bigtime right in his father’s enormous footsteps…Robert Trujillo is a legend in his own time… 🤙😤🤘

[@carlgibbons5777]

@@michaelhussey9156 Robert idolizes Geddy Lee for a reason. Geddy is still the king of rock bassists:)

[@goodpainlive1]

Agree. Geddy is an icon.

[@mr.logicpants2835]

I have always had that impression about him. All the way back to the Suicidal days.

[@wecanrebuildhim]

Listening to Robert Trujillo outside of Metalica is a breath of fresh air.

[@DetVen]

He's got to be one of the best interviews ever, no pretentiousness at all.

[@chrisdavis5014]

Wow! Robert Trujillo and Geddy Lee hanging out in Venice Beach!

[@louofm1]

Love Geddy, Rob, and The RIF

[@SeeCSeesCC]

❤he is so so musically credible. What a player

[@darrylwojnar6872]

Robert is great! A true professional and human being.

[@mikemattocks9044]

Sign of a good interviewer. Let the guest talk. 👍

[@kevinsmith5318]

A wonderful, earthy, genuine bass playing gentleman. Love him to bits!

[@gabrieledwards1066]

Geddy Talk @ 5:55

[@MichaelDouglasSkewes]

Robert is one of the greatest bass players ever!

[@ChazinFl1]

Doesn't fit Metallica at all though

[@dibber43]

Can't get cooler than RT!!!😎👍

[@sudsysutherland359]

Great interview 🤙 I live in Windsor,Ontario which is right across the river from Detroit Rock City for those who don’t know. I spent a lot of time at “Harpos Concert Theater” which is an iconic venue in Detroit on “Harper Ave.”. I seen the “Black Label Society’s” Dvd recording at “Harpos” in the early 2000’s which is called,”Boozed Bruised & Broken Boned” & that was an insane concert because Zakk Wylde was still drinking & “Harpos” ran out of alcohol for that show lol & it was sold out! Robert Trujillo on bass was fu€king epic & as a bassist myself my eyes were glued on Trujillo that show 🤘 I’ve seen so many great concerts at “Harpos” such as Type O Negative - Danzig - Clutch - Hatebreed - Etc

[@marsstubblefield]

Way back in the early 1990s Geddy showed up @ the Nightbreak in SF to check out Primus

[@blueshattrick]

Don't know anything about this guy.. clicked because of "Geddy Lee" But he definitely seems like a cool dude!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Robert Trujillo is pretty famous, not sure how you don't know of him if you listen to rock music.

[@louofm1]

Rob started out with thrash rock group suicidal tendencies who are a great band. They were huge in the late 80s and early 90s. That band are still together today. About 20 years ago, Rob took over playing base for Metallica, after Jason Newstead left. Rob is an incredible bassist. Also, Rob's son Tye became a bass playing prodigy by his early teens. I believe Tye is now about 20-21 years old

[@Matty0923]

Class act

[@richardmathews6236]

What a nice guy.

[@ShockWaveOffroad]

Wow!! Robert is such a cool, humble, and respectful guy. I can't believe it's been 20 yrs already since he joined Metallica. Such an amazing musician. Personally, I liked Jason better with Metallica. Not that I think he's a better musician, just the image and intensity in the live shows. Robert is just a laid back and down to earth kinda dude. Loved this!!🤘🏻

[@thebluesrockers]

funny, I wrote my comment and then read yours. here is my comment, It looks like we agree 100% "Robert has been in Metallica for 20 years. Before that he was with Ozzy. He has a Net worth of $40m Jason Newsted, has been out for over 20 years and has a Net worth of $60m Robert is a much better Bass Player, but Jason's vocals really added a lot to the music. I love Robert, but I miss Jason. Thanks for the video. He's a class act. Peace.. Joe

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

All of metallica is laid back now. They're old.

[@thebluesrockers]

Robert has been in Metallica for 20 years. Before that he was with Ozzy. He has a Net worth of $40m Jason Newsted has been out over 20 years and has a Net worth of $60m Robert is a much better Bass Player, but Jason's vocals really added a lot to the music. I love Robert, but I miss Jason. Thanks for the video. He's a class act. Peace.. Joe

[@ChazinFl1]

Jason was WAY better for Metallica.

[@utoob7361]

I'd like to hear what this guy could do outside of metal. I'll bet it would be surprising.

[@Sanson101]

Wish to hear Robert explode his bass skills savvy out of Mettalica environment where he just follows the rythm....he is got far more bass muscle to show us

[@realscience948]

Robert is the best base steeler ever!😊

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

What's a steeler? A football player from Pittsburgh?

[@oreally8605]

Wonder what he thinks of Victor Wooten?

[@PetParadiseVB]

My family comes from Detroit. And I built my amps there with Bruce Egnater. I LOVE THAT PLACE

[@StephenMartinez-ve1ey]

Yeah I grew up in Detroit on the east side between alter road. The next block over where J. geils made their full House LP. Been to a lot of concerts in Detroit over the years. Cobo arena Ford auditorium. And the Michigan Palace. Back in the day as well as the Fox theater in the State theater. My cousins used to dance on swinging time with rockin Robin Seymour. As well as go to the granite ballroom. Seen up close they did led Zeppelin The who and other great bands. I grew up on Motown music and 1960's rock and roll of our generation. As well as my father turned me on to the BLUES. And always told me they played Detroit before they ever established Chicago's as a Blue's city. Where I grew up at on the east side there's really nothing left anymore but I got great great memories as well as old Kodak pictures. As well as the guys coming home from the Vietnam war in 68 and 69 in 70 buying some great muscle cars

[@StephenMartinez-ve1ey]

I was at Metallica's concert Friday night and Sunday night. Both nights for great quality shows.

[@StephenMartinez-ve1ey]

Detroit was mega back in the late 60s and 1970's everybody came and played Detroit and I mean everybody even the English bands as well as Elvis Presley play the Olympia stadium. The first concert I went to cost me $3.50 and then it went up to $5:50 and I thought that was a wallet buster.lol

[@StephenMartinez-ve1ey]

Detroit has always been the best for rock and roll concerts. Bob seger said it best on his life bullet album.

[@michaelhussey9156]

I’ve been saying this since the first time I heard him with Suicidal Tendencies, Robert Trujillo is THE best heavy metal bassist and straight up in my opinion the best bassist over all…That’s quality parenting right there and look at his son bringin’ it bigtime right in his father’s enormous footsteps…Robert Trujillo is a legend in his own time… 🤙😤🤘

[@leddygee1896]

Birthplace of Heavy Metal!! MC5 ripped it open…

[@wecanrebuildhim]

'KICK OUT THE JAMS , MoFO!'

[@TheLordGoat]

MC5 & Stooges mangled everyone.

[@jimicapone]

​@@TheLordGoatI just discovered the Stooges last year. What a great sound.

[@johnschwalenberg278]

Very cool guy . But i still don't feel safe going to Detroit .

[@mcasteel2112]

If you would have called Wrif the day before entersand man came out the response would have been. We dont play that shit. The day after entersandman.... Your Metallica Station! The WRIF! Coming up, Metallica and after that, Metallica! Arthur P voice

[@user-hs7ps3egdkdkd]

Robert needs tonal advice from geddy. Badly.

[@user-hs4uv1fv1o]

Can meltdown quit interrupting ?

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

A talking head is paid to talk.

[@97warlock]

20 years? so .......... UI guess theyre planning on keeping him.😥

[@MyVideos-fm7ug]

Robert is a fan of Whodini? As in The Freaks Come Out At Night??? My 4th favorite member of Whodini, Doc Ice… who performed LIVE on the Today Show as a surprise guest of Corey Feldman and his captivating, mesmerizing, electrifying performance that went viral instantly… (because it was so awful and people had to see it for themselves 😂) Naha I know he’s talking about Houdini… not Doc IC⚡️DC College version of Whodini 😂

[@TheFourNineThree]

😂🤣🤣

[@MrMrdlegend]

I have that Whodini tape 😅

[@MyVideos-fm7ug]

@@MrMrdlegend no kidding? haha… do yourself a favor and watch Corey Feldman live on the Today Show. His performance is straight up BAD and embarrassing enough as it is. But then our cones Doc Ice from Whodini as a surprise collaborative guest appearance 😆 and he starts rapping, and one of the lines he raps goes “All we wanna do is WORK… while we WATCH Feldman TWERK!!!” … the Feldawg repeats WORK when Doc Ice raps “work” and does the same for “twerk”… but when he shouts “twerk”, Corey Feldman does the standing speed ass jiggle twerk like strippers do 😆😆😆😀 You gotta watch it. It’s too much 😀😃

[@hytorcdaved]

This interviewer is absolutely out of touch. The guy he’s talking to is trying to tell you about his influence and a legend like Geddy Lee!! WTF let him go and describe what made him inspired instead of making it about you

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Too many interviewers are like this. God, Bill Maher only needs a mirror to do an interview. The worst are the ones who put in zero effort and ask insipid questions like, "What's your favourite.....?"

[@ChazinFl1]

Good bass player, just sad that he was a part of screwing over Bob Daisley,

[@user-ic5fe5jg3x]

the SCAB Bassist who rerecorded Bob Daisleys Blizzard of Oz lps how does this guy sleep at nite, Rudy and Tommy said no way, , but i still think Randy should have walked when Sharon& Ozzy let Lee and Bob go

[@maxben565]

He recorded over Bob Daisleys bass on Diary of a Madman. Probably Blizzard too. Disgusting that he took up the offer. Would he record over Cliff Burton’s parts too? No respect. 👎

[@paulthomasbranda7591]

I hope He leaves Metallica in a couple of years and shows us what He really does best-PRODUCER!!!!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Why would you leave the goose that laid the golden egg? He can do both, Metallica no longer works non-stop.

[@peterjanjanin9883]

He's such an amazing bassist ! Metallica sucks!!!

[@seansullivan7928]

Its sad to say that Robert just doesnt feel right in the band. He feels like a "for hire" bass player in this band even after all these years

[@mooch514]

I liked jason better