James Hetfield

Bio:
James Hetfield (born James Alan Hetfield in Downey, California on August 3 1963) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. Born in Southern California, James was raised a strict Christian Scientist. His mother died when he was 16, after battling, and failing to medicate, cancer. As a teenager, he learned to play guitar and joined several bands. In 1981, James responded to an advertisement drummer Lars Ulrich placed in a Los Angeles newspaper. Metallica was formed several months later. The “power metal,” or “trash metal,” band, has gone on to sell 110 million records worldwide with ten studio albums, four live albums, five extended plays, 26 music videos, and 37 singles. Their self-titled 1991 album has sold more than 16 million copies alone, with six albums debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. Metallica has also been awarded eight Grammy Awards. On April 4 2009, James, along with members of Metallica’s past and present, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Best Known For:
James is best known for being the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for the American heavy metal band Metallica.

Personal Life:
James married his wife, Francesca Tomasi, on August 17 1997. The couple have three children and live in Tomasi’s hometown of Vail, Colorado. In 2002, James documented his battle with alcoholism in the documentary film Some Kind of Monster. He has been sober ever since.