Metallica’s James Hetfield explains why he refuses to pose for photos with fans
James Hetfield has talked about why he won’t pose for photos with Metallica fans in public.
Speaking about being approached when out and about, James explained that he’d much rather have a conversation with people than them 'steal a piece' of his privacy.
“I really used to get freaked out that I would piss somebody off,” James told Sixx Sense. “I used to get so worried that if I say ‘No. My kids are here, I’m enjoying a family moment,’ that they’ll turn around and say, ‘You’re a dick! What a rock star!’ I was so worried about that.
“But I tell ya, (now) I put it out there that ‘now’s not a good time, I don’t do photos, I don’t sign, I will shake your hand and I will talk with you for five minutes.’ I’d rather do that and leave that kind of impression than someone just stealing a little piece of your privacy.
“I don’t find that productive for me and it puts me in a crap mood. And then I start to get resentful and I don’t even wanna talk to people. So I’d rather talk to them as a person instead of being some idol of sorts.”
Echoing James’ sentiment, Sixx Sense host Nikki Sixx added: “(That’s) exactly what I was saying the other day. I love the fans, I’d like to spend a second with you but the first thing you ask for is a photo and then you leave.
“You got the photo but you didn’t get any interaction - the whole idea is to have some kind of interaction through music, art, touring, your book etc. etc. So they may have that snap or selfie where your face looks all blown out of perspective but in general I don’t think they’re doing themselves any service either.”
Featuring the singles ‘Moth Into Flame’ and ‘Hardwired’, Metallica’s first studio album in eight years ‘Hardwired… To Self Destruct’ is released on Friday 18th November.
The full track-list is as follows:
Disc One
Hardwired
Atlas, Rise!
Now That We’re Dead
Moth Into Flame
Dream No More
Halo On Fire
Disc Two
Confusion
ManUNkind
Here Comes Revenge
Am I Savage?
Murder One
Spit Out the Bone
Disc Three (Deluxe Edition Only)
Lords of Summer
Ronnie Rising Medley
When a Blind Man Cries
Remember Tomorrow
Helpless (Live at Rasputin Music)
Hit the Lights (Live at Rasputin Music)
The Four Horsemen (Live at Rasputin Music)
Ride the Lightning (Live at Rasputin Music)
Fade to Black (Live at Rasputin Music)
Jump in the Fire (Live at Rasputin Music)
For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live at Rasputin Music)
Creeping Death (Live at Rasputin Music)
Metal Militia (Live at Rasputin Music)
Hardwired (Live in Minneapolis)