Ross Halfin has worked with the band for decades, seen growth while touring as an opening act and highlighted the differences among his friends
Several characters who encountered the Metallica Right at the beginning of their career, throughout the 80s, they used to say that the band was really different. The photographer belongs to this list Ross Halfinwho has worked with musicians for decades.
The period was remembered by the professional in a 2021 interview with CNN (go Igor Miranda’s website) to promote a book about the group (Metallica: the Black Album in black and white). Halfin cited, in particular, a joint tour done in 1988 with more famous and experienced bands.
The group of James Hetfield (vocals and guitar) e Lars Ulrich (battery), complete with Kirk Hammett (guitar) and at the time Jason Newsted (bass), was the opening act. Even so, they attracted a lot of attention. The photographer underlines:
“They were called on this tour Rock Monsters in 1988 with Van Halen, Scorpions, Dokken… Metallica was very down [no lineup]. I started to notice, particularly at Giants Stadium in New York and the LA Coliseum, that after the band played, half the audience would start to leave. I realized they mean more than you think.”
Subsequently, the photographer highlighted the great difference between friends from the early times, when Cliff Burton – who died in 1986 – still held the position later taken over by Newsted. For him, the quartet boasted an almost punk image, which served as a counterpoint to the excesses typical of the ’80s.
“The kids identified a lot with them, in the sense that they looked like street kids. They looked like kids playing in a garage. Today they are certainly not like that, but during the Black album [1991]they were those long-haired kids just playing. That was the appeal of Metallica: You could do it. And the kids identified with them in that sense.”
Metallica is still different for Ross Halfin
Even today, Metallica, who now have Roberto Trujillo on bass, but continues with the other three members: he brings a different energy to his shows. This is what Ross Halfin points out.
“They are one of those bands that when you see them, whether you know them or not, you are surprised by their power. There are very few bands with the power they have. They involve the audience. When you enter their show, you become part of them. You can feel the electricity in the air with them. I started noticing it in the early 90s, but it’s very noticeable these days.
Metallica will continue touring in 2025 M72promoting the album 72 seasons (2023). The official calendar confirmed the presentations in North America (between April and June) and in Oceania (November).
+++ READ MORE: The member who broadened Metallica’s horizons, according to James Hetfield
+++ READ MORE: James Hetfield apologized for Metallica destroying Winger’s career
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+++ to follow the journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
