Metallica played their first-ever show on March 14, 1982 at Radio City in Anaheim, CA. At the time, Metallica was James Hetfield on guitar and vocalist, Dave Mustaine on guitar, Ron McGovney on bass and Lars Ulrich on drums. The band played mostly covers, and made $15 for the night, drawing 75 people.
Ulrich shared the only photo he could find of the show below, plus the setlist and his journal from that day. According to Ulrich at the time, Metallica's performance was "so-so" and Mustaine broke a string during the set.
37 years ago today, March 14 ’82, the ‘Tallica played our first live show ever at a joint called Radio City in Anaheim, California.
As you can tell from the notes in my diary, it was my first gig ever and I was “very nervous.”(!)Additionally, you eagle-eyed observers may notice that there’s not a lot of ‘Tallica originals being performed here at the first outing, but almost all NWOBHM covers, most of which ended up being recorded later along the way and showing up on various Garage releases…
Here for your viewing pleasure is a picture of your Danish drummer from later in ’82 still playing my first Camco kit (there are no pictures that exist from the first gig), the OG flyer, the setlist in my handwriting and a page from my diary describing the antics of the evening!
Happy Live Debut Anniversary! Who would’ve thought….?
