Ron McGovney
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| Ron McGovney | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ronald McGovney |
| Born | November 2, 1962 Los Angeles, California |
| Genre(s) | Heavy metal, thrash metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Bass guitar |
| Years active | 1981-1982, 1986 |
| Associated acts | Metallica Phantasm Leather Charm |
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Ron McGovney (born November 2, 1962 [1], Los Angeles, California) is an American musician most notable for being Metallica's first bass player when they formed in the early 1980s. He was replaced by Cliff Burton. After leaving from Metallica, McGovney was disillusioned with music and sold most of his equipment. However, several years later, he was enticed into another band called Phantasm, which he help contribute to the band's only album. He then left Phantasm after a couple of years.
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[edit] Metallica
McGovney met James Hetfield in junior high school. They became friends through a mutual love of heavy metal, and alienation from their peers. Hetfield convinced McGovney to learn bass guitar, rented a bass guitar and an amplifier, and proceeded to teach McGovney. Soon, the two of them moved into one of McGovney's parents' rental houses, which was due to be demolished.
At the time James and Ron were in a band called Leather Charm with guitar player, Hugh Tanner. Tanner later decided that he wanted to pursue music management, and left the band. James and Ron then met guitarist Troy James and drummer Jim Mulligan, the latter of whom left the band shortly afterward. Hugh Tanner then introduced them to Lars Ulrich. Soon James, Ron, and Lars brought guitarist Dave Mustaine into the band and Metallica was officially born.
Though Ron was the bass player for the band, his time with the band was not enjoyable. He and Lars Ulrich clashed a lot during their stint for a variety of reasons and McGovney also did not get along with Dave Mustaine [2]. McGovney felt like he was being used more for monetary management and transportation than being respected for being a member of the band and was quickly growing tired of unofficially taking the manager role of the band. [3]
[edit] Departure
McGovney recorded several demos with Metallica including one from his own garage in '82, the Power Metal Demo, No Life 'Til Leather and the notable live demo, Metal Up Your Ass. Hit The Lights was a song that eventually went on the Metal Massacre Vol. 1 album.
Hetfield and Mustaine wanted McGovney out as they thought that he "didn't contribute anything, he just followed."[1] In 1982, McGovney left Metallica when they were interviewing bassist Cliff Burton to join the band without his knowledge which outraged McGovney. The views of his depature vary from Metallica claiming that they fired him and McGovney claiming that he had left on his own. After his departure with Metallica, McGovney went to join the band Phantasm with frontman Katon W. DePena and released the only Phantasm album, Garbage.
[edit] eBay
After about 15 years of leaving the band, McGovney sold most of his Metallica memorabilia on eBay. This included his bass guitar that he used when he was in Metallica.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Original |
Metallica Bassist 1982 |
Succeeded by Cliff Burton |
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