Metallica

Metallica is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1981, which became one of the most commercially successful musical acts of recent decades. Metallica has sold more than 90 million albums worldwide, includin

Metallica is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1981, which became one of the most commercially successful musical acts of recent decades. Metallica has sold more than 90 million albums worldwide, including 57 million albums sold in the United States. Metallica is also considered to be one of the "Big four" thrash metal bands, along with Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax.

Metallica was formed in Los Angeles, California, in October 1981 by guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, after both placed classified advertisements in the publication The Recycler about forming a band.[citation needed] The duo recruited bassist Ron McGovney, and the early incarnation of the band went through a number of lead guitarists, such as Lloyd Grant, Brad Parker, and Jeff Warner. Metallica got its name when San Francisco-area metal promoter Ron Quintana asked Ulrich to help pick out a name for his new magazine to promote U.S. and British metal bands. Quintana came up with a list that included "Metallica," while Lars suggested "Metal Mania," or "Hesse," but decided to use "Metallica" for the band name.