Metallica’s impending Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction has led to constant gossip about the band’s alleged rivalries with former members and the infamous picture of singer James Hetfield and bassist Robert Trujillo standing outside of an Armani store, looking very un-metal. They knocked out the Jason Newsted rivalry rumor pretty easily by inviting their former bassist of fourteen years to perform with them at the Rock Hall ceremony. The question of whether Dave Mustaine will show up for the gig, however, still lingers.
“We would love that,” guitarist Kirk Hammett said about the possibility of Mustaine joining them for tomorrow (Apr. 4) night’s ceremony, “but the truth is that we don’t know if he’ll be there. I don’t know if you read what he said in the press a few weeks ago. He said he wouldn’t be coming because of his tour or something. It would be cool if he made it out though. You never know I guess.”
James Hetfield concurred that Mustaine was welcome to join them, telling Newsweek, “I would have to say we cast the net very wide, including Mustaine. I want everyone possible to show up.”
In that same interview, Hetfield addressed accusations that the band is out of touch with their metal roots, after being photographed holding an Armani bag on an apparent L.A. shopping spree. It turns out he was holding the bag for his wife. “It was not mine,” he said. “But it really doesn’t matter. It’s summertime, and I’ve got flip-flops and shorts on. We’re kicking it. That’s what I wear. People’s image of what you’re supposed to be is really amazing. Maybe you’re a full-on headbanger from Latvia and you just don’t see me like that very often.”