James Hetfield

James Hetfield

Biography

James Alan Hetfield is an American musician and songwriter best known for being the co-founder, lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield is mainly known for his intricate rhythm playing, but occasionally performs lead guitar duties and solos, both live and in the studio. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering an advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler. Metallica has won nine Grammy Awards and released ten studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays and 24 singles.

In 2009, Hetfield was ranked at no. 8 in Joel McIver's book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists and no. 24 by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Metal Vocalists of All Time. In Guitar World's poll, Hetfield was placed as the 19th greatest guitarist of all time, as well as being placed second (along with Metallica lead guitarist Kirk Hammett) in The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists poll of the same magazine. Rolling Stone placed Hetfield as the 87th greatest guitarist of all time.

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🎬 Movies Featuring James Hetfield

The Thicket

The Thicket (2024)

as Simon Deasy
Metallica: Rock in Rio 2015

Metallica: Rock in Rio 2015 (2015)

as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
No Image

Metallica: [2015] X Games (2015)

as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Metallica: Quebec Magnetic

Metallica: Quebec Magnetic (2012)

as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2012

Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2012 (2012)

as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
No Image

Metallica: Live at Rock im Park 2012 (2012)

as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Metallica: Live in Copenhagen, Denmark - July 22, 2009

Metallica: Live in Copenhagen, Denmark - July 22, 2009 (2009)

as Self - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Metallica: Français pour une nuit

Metallica: Français pour une nuit (2009)

as Self - Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Metallica - Rock AM Ring

Metallica - Rock AM Ring (2008)

as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
The Work of Director Anton Corbijn

The Work of Director Anton Corbijn (2005)

as Self (segments "Hero of the Day" and "Mama Said")
Metallica: Making of S&M

Metallica: Making of S&M (1999)

as Self - Guitar, Vocals
No Image

Metallica: [1999] Plovdiv, Bulgaria (1999)

as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Metallica: Live Covers

Metallica: Live Covers (1998)

as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Metallican Vid

Metallican Vid (1993)

as Self - Rhythm/Lead Vocal
2 of One

2 of One (1989)

as Himself (Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocal)
Metallica: Cliff 'Em All

Metallica: Cliff 'Em All (1987)

as Self - Guitarist / Vocalist
Metallica -  Roskilde Festival

Metallica - Roskilde Festival (1986)

as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Metallica: Metal Hammer Festival

Metallica: Metal Hammer Festival (1985)

as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar