I think the greatest definition you could ever give of a hero is this; someone who by his or her actions has changed someone else’s life for the better. The idea that someone who is not fully recognized as a hero, yet is such to so many people is what forms the backbone of my belief. Not many people think of a front-man of a heavy-metal act as a hero but to so many James Hetfield is so. Being the front-man of Metallica, James has reached many millions of people, selling over onehundred million records in nearly every country in the world. With this talent and success comes great pride but also responsibility. James understands this and has on many occasions been the example for many teens that it’s okay not to engage in the activities of most youth. Through Metallica James has helped redirect my life and give it new direction.
With that in mind I would like to tell you exactly how he influenced me. Through his talent as a songwriter as well as the ability to sing and play the guitar with outstanding ability he made his entrance into my life. Two years before I was born, in 1982 James along with friend now drummer Lars Ulrich formed Metallica and started a recording career that has lasted nearly 20 years. It wasn’t until th
Not only does James remain dedicated to his band but also to his strong moral beliefs. James was raised with a strong “Christian Science” doctrine that played a major role in his life. When his mother was diagnosed with cancer she refused medical treatment because of her beliefs putting her life in God’s hands. When she later died this had great effect on James’ beliefs, resulting in many songs being written about the loss. James beliefs form the backbone of most of his lyrics ranging from anti-drugs songs to songs about the brutality of war. This has prompted many to call Metallica the “thinking man’s metal band.” When we think of heavy-metal front-men we don’t often think about fathers but James has been a husband and a father for a while now. It was said that “James is often happiest spending time with his wife Francesca and two children, Cali and Castor”. He now has four children; a ten month old boy and a brand new baby girl. Because of his willingness not to let his beliefs falter it has given me more ease to follow my own beliefs and form my own opinions sometimes contradictory to his and everybody else’s.
As my love for playing the guitar has increased so has my interest in Metallica. This has prompted me to find out how James Hetfield came to be as a musician. Through this I found out that there is one reason
Example Essays Home
