Those readers who endured their teenage years in the 1990s may still have problems reconciling the clean-shaven, close-cropped James Hetfield. Yes, it has been many years since the glorious hair spun in circles. Yet idolatry dies hard, and even the moment that Metallica autographed a sewing machine doesn’t shock the system as much as witnessing clean-living rock gods who once partied like hell. However, Hetfield brought back a spark of the Kill ‘Em All greatness with a rendition of “Motorbreath” on Sunday evening, and there was a special twist. Hetfield was onstage for the annual Acoustic-4-A-Cure benefit concert, which he’s hosted for three years with Sammy Hagar.
This version of “Motorbreath” sounded downright twangy and full of crooning goodness. So, this wasn’t a sweat-dripping, hair-tossing affair with a mosh pit, but this set benefited the Pediatic Cancer Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Last year, Hetfield played alongside his teenage daughter, Cali, for an Adele cover, and he previously teamed up with Joe Satriani and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong to perform a Bob Seger classic.
This year’s show also arrived with guests, including Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee. Satriani and Cali returned too. The set included Metallica’s “The Unforgiven” and a cover of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put A Spell On You.” The entire show, including Hagar’s introduction, can be watched below.
