In a statement, Newsted said that "Due to private and personal reasons and the physical damage that I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love, I must step away from the band. This is the most difficult decision of my life, made in the best interest of my family, myself and the continued growth of Metallica. I extend my love, thanks and best wishes to my brothers - James, Lars and Kirk - and the rest of the Metallica family, friends and fans who have made these years so unforgettable."

Guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield said, "Playing with someone who has such unbridled passion for music will forever be a huge inspiration. Onstage every night, he was a driving force to us all, fans and band alike. His connection will never be broken."

There is no word yet on Newsted's replacement, but Metallica plans to start work on a new album in the spring.

 

And there is a golf clap eminating from Napster.

 

I use to be a HUGE Metallica fan but when they started
covering Bob Seger songs they lost me. I expect the next CD
to have 'Doe a deer a female deer'. I can't see Dave Mustaine doing that kind of stuff.

Cliff was a better bass player than Jason to bad he died.

 

I didn't get into Metallica until they first released Puppets. I too was down when Cliff died. I remember when it happened, but not nearly as much as I remember the day when SRV passed.

Mustaine - might be a little cheery-eyed to the fact that the band isn't holding together. Napster did take its toll on the band, but I doubt that is why Jason is leaving. I certainly loved his grooves when he did do them, not the synchronous-guitar-ish bass playing as most of their songs have. But as a fav - I'd have to say I loved the 5.98 EP the best - it was a break in period for him and the tone of the Wal bass...incredible! Jason and Geddy Lee are the only two players that I know of who have played on these basses before. Ian Waller, incredible luthier. But with fresh strings, I cannot compare it to the un-electrically-modified-sound of my (original, non-Gibson) Tobias Basic 6. Ahh.. okay, sorry to get all mushy.

Its sad to see him go, but like all things, the band will evolve. James will still smell like a bottle of Jack, Kirk will always have a whiney voice (who is tutored by Satch btw), and Lars will always be the loudspeaking-frontman of the band that makes it all worth while (when you see them! not in regards to napster! *thpppt*)

/ramble of the day...

 

SRV was a shocker. He cleans up his life starts makeing it really big and bam...he's gone.
Geddy Lee, another guy from another band I use to really like. Neil Peart is the best drummer ever. Although the guy from Tool was really impressive when I saw them live.

My turn to ramble.

 

That's too bad to hear. He was a solid bassist. The direction they were going I wouldn't be surprised iy they tried to get Les Claypool in ( no slight on him, he's the King) They are all tallented guys, but just went to mainstream for me to take them serious anymore. I like the pop music, but by pop bands. James was always the bug force behind them anyway, I doubt it will have much impact.

 

One more thing, on the line of " where were you when Elvis Died?"
I remember when I was young and stupid, We pulled over on the side of the road, stereo cranked, trying to steal a billboard, when they said SRV died. My friends and I were all bummed and forgot about the billboard. Weird eh?

 

When I heard that Cliff had died I nearly offed my whole family; it's taken me forever to get over it.

 

Hmm Les Claypool, wouldn't that be fun. Primus Sucks!

 

"Primus Sucks!" - you gotta love a band where they delcare that kind of a motto for themselves. I remember seeing Les back in 91 I think, opening up for Rush. No one 'got it'.

Cliff's a legend, that whipping hair - if he were a chick, he'd be Al Bundy's dream date.

And as far as SRV goes, I remember the day very well, but I was so spaced out the entire time. The odd thing was, some people around me cried all day long - and others, they had no idea who he was, all stuck in pop tunes like Milli Vanilli junk. A guy who touched other's lives, went to the bottom and got better. You gotta think about this for a minute, he did die at the best time of his life - his carreer was coming back with "In Step" and he was clean as a whistle. I believe it would be wrong in saying that he died at the wrong time in his life. But if you lived here, in Austin, you wouldn't think he has gone anywhere. I hear his tunes on the radio at least 3x's a day on one station alone.

I'll scan in a pic I have of the SRV statue on town lake sometime and throw it up for those of you who haven't seen it.

Boy, this is depressing thinking about this stuff!

Back to work...er...reading more posts!