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James Hetfield Provides Surprising Emotional Moment at Metallica Show

James Hetfield took a moment during Metallica’s May 12 show in Belo Horizonte, Brazil to share a very vulnerable moment with the thousands in attendance. Hetfield shared before Metallica played…

James Hetfield
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

James Hetfield took a moment during Metallica's May 12 show in Belo Horizonte, Brazil to share a very vulnerable moment with the thousands in attendance.

Hetfield shared before Metallica played "Sad But True," "I've gotta tell you I wasn't feeling very good before I came out here. [I was] feeling a little bit insecure, like I'm an old guy, [I] can't play anymore — all this bulls--- that I tell myself in my head. So I talked to these guys, and they helped me — as simple as that. They gave me a hug and said, 'Hey, if you're struggling on stage, we've got your back.' And I tell you, it means the world to me."

And as if it couldn't get any more heartwarming, the entire band then swarmed Hetfield for another big hug, because sometimes, even one of the most legendary frontmen feels insecure and needs a little help from his friends.


Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights