MetallicaLineup
Metallica from the top down — who started it, every change since, and the band today. Anyone I actually watched play is ringed in red. Tap a face for their story.
1981The original lineup
1982
1983
1986
The band today
Every lineup, in order
The band as it stood at each change — the full roster, not just who came and went.
- 1981 – 1982★ Original lineup
- Dave Mustaine background vocals, guitar
- James Hetfield guitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrich drums (drum set), percussion
- Jan 1982 – Dec 1982+ Ron McGovney
- Dave Mustaine background vocals, guitar
- James Hetfield guitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrich drums (drum set), percussion
- Ron McGovney bass guitar
- 1982 – 1983+ Cliff Burton
- Dave Mustaine background vocals, guitar
- James Hetfield guitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrich drums (drum set), percussion
- Ron McGovney bass guitar
- Cliff Burton background vocals, bass guitar
- Jan 1983 – Apr 1983− Ron McGovney
- Dave Mustaine background vocals, guitar
- James Hetfield guitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrich drums (drum set), percussion
- Cliff Burton background vocals, bass guitar
- Apr 1983+ Kirk Hammett
- Dave Mustaine background vocals, guitar
- James Hetfield guitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrich drums (drum set), percussion
- Cliff Burton background vocals, bass guitar
- Kirk Hammett background vocals, guitar
- 1983 – 1986− Dave Mustaine
- James Hetfield guitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrich drums (drum set), percussion
- Cliff Burton background vocals, bass guitar
- Kirk Hammett background vocals, guitar
- Jan 1986 – Sep 1986+ Jason Newsted
- James Hetfield guitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrich drums (drum set), percussion
- Cliff Burton background vocals, bass guitar
- Kirk Hammett background vocals, guitar
- Jason Newsted background vocals, electric bass guitar
- 1986 – 2001− Cliff Burton
- James Hetfield guitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrich drums (drum set), percussion
- Kirk Hammett background vocals, guitar
- Jason Newsted background vocals, electric bass guitar
- 2001 – 2003− Jason Newsted
- James Hetfield guitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrich drums (drum set), percussion
- Kirk Hammett background vocals, guitar
- 2003 – nowCurrent+ Robert Trujillo
- James Hetfield guitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrich drums (drum set), percussion
- Kirk Hammett background vocals, guitar
- Robert Trujillo background vocals, bass guitar
10 line-ups of Metallica since it formed.
Everything that happened to Metallica’s lineup, in order — each entry says what it was.
- 1981
★ Original lineupDave Mustainebackground vocals, guitar
★ Original lineupJames Hetfieldguitar, lead vocals
★ Original lineupLars Ulrichdrums (drum set), percussion
›Lineup after 1981 (3)
- Dave Mustainebackground vocals, guitar
- James Hetfieldguitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrichdrums (drum set), percussion
- 1982
+ JoinedCliff Burtonbackground vocals, bass guitar
+ JoinedRon McGovneybass guitar
- → Left the bandRon McGovney
bass guitar · 1982–1982
›Lineup after 1982 (5)
- Dave Mustainebackground vocals, guitar
- James Hetfieldguitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrichdrums (drum set), percussion
- Ron McGovneybass guitar
- Cliff Burtonbackground vocals, bass guitar
- 1983
+ JoinedKirk Hammettbackground vocals, guitar
- → Left the bandDave Mustaine
background vocals, guitar · 1981–1983
›Lineup after 1983 (4)
- James Hetfieldguitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrichdrums (drum set), percussion
- Cliff Burtonbackground vocals, bass guitar
- Kirk Hammettbackground vocals, guitar
- 1986
+ JoinedJason Newstedbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- → Left the bandCliff Burton
background vocals, bass guitar · 1982–1986
- ✝ DiedCliff Burton
accidental death — traffic collision · at Dörarp · aged 24
›Lineup after 1986 (4)
- James Hetfieldguitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrichdrums (drum set), percussion
- Kirk Hammettbackground vocals, guitar
- Jason Newstedbackground vocals, electric bass guitar
- 2001
- → Left the bandJason Newsted
background vocals, electric bass guitar · 1986–2001
›Lineup after 2001 (3)
- James Hetfieldguitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrichdrums (drum set), percussion
- Kirk Hammettbackground vocals, guitar
- 2003
+ JoinedRobert Trujillobackground vocals, bass guitar
›Lineup after 2003 (4)
- James Hetfieldguitar, lead vocals
- Lars Ulrichdrums (drum set), percussion
- Kirk Hammettbackground vocals, guitar
- Robert Trujillobackground vocals, bass guitar
Every member(8)
Everyone who has played in Metallica, in the order they joined — ending with the lineup today. Tap anyone for their photos and story.
Current lineup