Metallica’s James Hetfield was detained at the airport because his beard made him look like a terrorist.
Metallica’s Live Earth performance almost faded to black before it even happened, thanks to British airport officials who held their lead singer at a terminal because of his “Taliban-like beard.”
According to the British newspaper The Times, as reported by the New Zealand Herald, metal pioneer James Hetfield was held up and subjected to a line of questioning due to his facial hair following a tense week in the United Kingdom after foiled terror plots and an attack in Scotland.
Even if you had no idea who Hetfield is, does he look even a little bit like a Middle Eastern terrorist?
via Liz Kelly
Metallica’s James Hetfield told a fundraiser audience Friday night that making a movie about drug addiction saved his life.
Metallica frontman James Hetfield fought back tears on Friday as he recounted his public battle with addiction, and labeled the sex, drugs and rock’ n’ roll ethos as a “horrible myth.” The 42-year-old singer/guitarist was being honored at a Hollywood fundraiser for the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides access to addiction recovery for members of the music community.
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Hetfield began his speech asking for a moment of silence “for the people who didn’t make it, that aren’t with us, who could be and I think should be.” He recounted the old saw that “dying is easy, living is hard,” and offered his own recovery as proof that addiction is survivable.
Five years ago, things were different, he recalled, expressing gratitude to the award-winning documentary “Some Kind of Monster,” which depicted Metallica’s virtual dissolution as Hetfield began a lengthy rehabilitation to treat drug and alcohol abuse. “I think that movie helped some people, and it took the black veil away, it took the mystique and the mystery out of the rock myth ’sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll,”‘ he said. “What a horrible statement, to me. It is a myth. And to have those things attached to music, which is the best drug in the whole f—- world, moves me like no other. And I thank God that I discovered that gift early on.”
Anyone who has watched more than a couple episodes of “Behind the Music” and its many immitators knows the story. It’s almost cliche’. I’m glad to see Hetfield turn his life around, although it always amazes me that smart, talented people keep making the same horrible mistakes.
