Jason Newsted on Joining Metallica and Leaving Thrash Metal

Stepping into the shoes left vacant by the legendary Cliff Burton in 1986 was a daunting assignment for any young bassist. For Jason Newsted, the eager hopeful from Flotsam And Jetsam, it meant stepping into an intense global spotlight. Yet his unwavering work ethic and physical commitment helped turn Metallica into the biggest metal band of all time.

Newsted’s relentless energy eventually took a heavy physical toll, contributing to his departure from the band in 2001—an exit he later acknowledged was partly driven by a dependency on painkillers that he kicked in 2010. Since leaving, Newsted has maintained a nomadic musical existence, collaborating with Ozzy Osbourne and Voivod, fronting his own project Newsted, and finding success as a visual artist.

From Sears Catalog Guitars to Flotsam And Jetsam

Long before hitting the stage with Metallica, Newsted’s musical awakening began at age nine with a Sears catalog classical guitar. Inspired after a classmate brought Kiss’s 1975 album Dressed To Kill into a school band room—where Newsted was playing saxophone—he modified his guitar by removing the middle tuning pegs to string up three strings at the top and one down the middle, tuning it to mimic Gene Simmons’ bass lines.

By February 1982, after moving to Phoenix, Newsted responded to an ad on a wall seeking a Rush and Iron Maiden fan to play bass. After a year of writing and changing names, the group formed Dogz, which soon evolved into speed metal pioneers Flotsam And Jetsam. Reflecting on their 1986 debut, Doomsday For The Deceiver, Newsted expressed pride mixed with humor regarding the Arizona heat wreaking havoc on the intonation of their Flying V guitars.

Auditioning for Metallica

When the call came to audition for Metallica, Newsted felt deeply honored by the opportunity to stand alongside his musical heroes. Arriving in San Francisco on an early morning flight with his bass rig and sandwiches packed, he brought the rigorous preparation instilled in him by Flotsam And Jetsam. When Metallica welcomed him aboard, they knew they were getting every ounce of sweat left on the stage.