# In 1986, Metallica resented hiring one of their bandmates. 70,000,000 album sales later, he refused to be disrespected by them

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1986-metallica-resented-hiring-one-of-their-bandmates-70000000-album-sales-later-he-refused-to-be-disrespected-by-them/
- Published: 2026-10-26T22:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T22:35:00+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1986-metallica-resented-hiring-bandmate-70000000-albums/
- Topics: Health, Medicine

## Key points

- Newsted joined Metallica after Cliff Burton’s death.
- Hetfield later admitted the band took its grief out on him.
- Newsted left after being refused a side project.

## Summary

Metallica recruited Jason Newsted after bassist Cliff Burton died in a 1986 bus accident, but the band’s grief and anger were often directed at their new member. The article says this strained Newsted’s place in the group, even as Metallica’s music went on to reach a vast audience.

James Hetfield later acknowledged that Newsted was an “easy target” and that the band had treated him too harshly. The article cites the low bass mix on 1988’s *…And Justice for All* and says Newsted eventually left after being denied the chance to pursue a side project; he wanted room to express himself musically.

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