Armored Saint vocalist and passed through Anthrax was in the sights of Lars Ulrich and company in the early 1980s
Nowadays James Hetfield It is acclaimed as a great metal frontman, capable of accumulating the functions of guitarist and vocalist as few. But it was not always like that.
At the beginning of Metalliche was not so sure he could exercise both tasks. Therefore, he considered to be responsible for the six string instrument.
It was amid this scenario of doubt that the band considered getting a specific singer to take over the vocal. This happened even before the debut album recording, KILL ‘IN ALL (1983).
Lars Ulrichfan of Armored Saintexponent of the heavy metal of Los Angeleshad a name in mind: John Bush.
The drummer would have been responsible for suggesting the singer to the post. Jon Zazulafrom the Megaforce Records and a kind of initial entrepreneur from Metalliceven offered the position to Bush. However, he declined.
In an interview with the channel 69 FACES OF ROCK (via Igor Miranda website), Bush explained his decision and also the context:
“I think at the time, James was still not sure to be the singer. It was before KILL ‘IN ALL (1983). He was insecure, and called me, but at the time there was the Armored Saint – Joey (Verabassist), Gonzo (Sandovaldrummer), Phil (Sandovalguitarist) and I have known each other since I was 8 years old. THE Armored Saint I was starting to do very well on the Los Angeles circuit and we were very friends. “
He adds, about letting a unique career opportunity:
“THE Metallic It was going well too, but I don’t think no one predicted what would happen. For me, getting out of my band of friends to get into another band made no sense. I didn’t want to do that. Certainly, I feel honored and grateful, but I always say, ‘I wasn’t supposed to be in Metallicit was not my destiny. ‘”
“It would be a big loss for heavy metal”
John Bush went ahead of Armored Saint and recorded cultured records in the American Heavy Metal scene, as March of the Saint (1984) and Racing fear (1987), but never having achieved the impact and commercial success of the Metallic.
In another statement, this time to the channel Get on the bus (via Guitar.com), the vocalist reflected on how different the Metallic If he had accepted the offer.
Modest, he concludes:
“It was just not my destiny. And I could never imagine someone singing these songs besides James Hetfield. That would have been a great loss to Heavy Metal.”
John Bush, James Hetfield and Metallica
Between 1992 and 2005, John Bush joined the Anthrax after leaving Joey Belladona. The following year, he returned to Armored Saint and had the opportunity to open to the Metallic At the band’s 30th anniversary commemorative shows, in 2011.
On one of these occasions, he joined James Hetfield and company to sing “The Four Horsemen”. The music, present in the first album of Metallicit could have been recorded by him if he had stifled his job.
Bush commented on the show and how happy it was to have had the opportunity to take the stage with the Metallic.
“They told the story of how ‘maybe we were going to hire this guy, but it didn’t happen … That’s how he would sound if he got together.’ That was a very special moment in my life.”
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Source: Rollingstone
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.
