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Metallica
front man, James Hetfield graciously invited a group of Road Recovery’s
sober young people backstage to share his life experiences
in a relaxed setting, while a hundred yards away 18,000 metalheads
awaited a pounding by Metallica onstage at Long Island’s
Nassau Coliseum, on Thursday, January 29th during the band’s Death Magnetic world tour. |
James
Hetfield (center) gathers backstage with
Road Recovery’s
youth at Nassau Coliseum.
PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
For more than an hour, James Hetfield spoke openly about his roller
coaster years spent in search of a content life and the hole he
couldn’t fill with pot, boose, sex, fast cars, a rock star’s
lifestyle, food/sugar, and a negative attitude. Music was always
his constant saving grace, a life line, which today is more prolific
as a result of choosing sobriety and the wonderful fallout that
comes with it.
Hetfield shared how he understands himself more each day and so
do others in his life circle, which he attributes as the secret
to maintaining his inner balance. The void he tried to fill for
so many years has been replaced with wonderful opportunities and
experiences that directly impact everyone in his life, including
Metallica fans. “It’s all about NOW, being in the moment,
that’s my goal!”
James
Hetfield onstage ‘rallying the troops’ at Nassau
Coliseum
PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
James Hetfield explained that his persona on or off stage are
all aspects of who he is. For instance, many times while in public,
fans approach him expecting the guy on stage to be in their face;
instead they are greeted by a man who likes to engage in meaningful
conversation. It throws people off…and in many ways creates
misunderstandings…his request for steamed fish before a
gig is not a rock star’s demand, he’s taking care of
his body, giving it what it needs, helping him deliver the best
performance he can!
James shared with Road Recovery’s youth how he’s still
quick to call himself names when he drops something on the floor,
but at least today he’s aware of his shortcomings. Little
by little he speaks about chipping away at his ‘negative
self talk’. He’s surrounded by real friends, caring
band mates, family, and fans that look out for him in the truest
sense even when he’s beating himself up!
Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich, and James Hetfield centerstage
PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
"Turning that road to ruin into Road Recovery can be a great
one having the tools and support.
The keys for me have been honesty and awareness. Respecting yourself
with honesty will give you and others a clear mission on what is
healthy and what is not. When people know your struggles they can
help you be aware of your behavior.
Be the rebel and help break the myth of sex, drugs, rock and roll
by standing up with your given gift. Stand up without those crutches
before they inevitably fail you. Road Recovery, they fight the
good fight." - With Much Love and Respect,
James ‘papa
het’ Hetfield, (Metallica)
Road
Recovery’s ‘Metalheads’ UNITE with legendary
James Hetfield! (center)
PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
"I appreciate James Hetfield’s warmth and honesty.
He inspired me to continue to have the courage to become myself
even if that means ordering steamed fish!"– Ryan
S. (Road Recovery youth)
James
Hetfield (center) describes the meaning behind his
favorite tattoos
with Road Recovery’s youth.
PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Ketcher
James Hetfield’s Road Recovery Master Class would not have
been possible without the committed support of: Bright Antenna
(Shine, Scott Shumaker & Sep), Metallica & James Hetfield’s
team (Joni Soekotjo, Vickie Strate, & Jeff Yeager)
The Road Recovery Foundation is humbly grateful to James Hetfield
for his generous financial support, especially in these times of
economic uncertainty.
