Early Metallica Guitarist Reflects on His Role in the Band’s Origins
Lloyd Grant, a guitarist who played a key role in Metallica’s formative years, recently opened up about his brief but significant contribution to the band. Grant recorded the guitar solo for “Hit the Lights,” Metallica’s first original track, which appeared on the 1982 *Metal Massacre* compilation. However, despite this early involvement, Grant doesn’t consider himself an official member of the band, and Metallica hasn’t credited him as such.
Reflecting on his time with the band, Grant explains that his connection with Metallica began when he responded to an ad placed by drummer Lars Ulrich in a local magazine. At the time, the band didn’t even have a name yet, and they were simply jamming together, playing covers of British heavy metal songs while beginning to write their own material. “When I met Lars, they weren’t called Metallica,” Grant recalls. “We were just forming a band.”
Grant’s time with Metallica was brief, and his involvement mainly centered around early jam sessions, but it’s clear that his contributions left a lasting impact on the band’s sound. However, he says, “I don’t think Metallica wants to say I am an original member because the band weren’t really formed then.”
Despite this, Grant remains proud of his role in the band’s history. “It wasn’t anything significant,” he laughs, “but we were just jamming, and we may have recorded quite a bit of it. I don’t know. Whenever you see Lars, ask him that.” His reflections highlight the humble beginnings of a band that would go on to become one of the most influential in rock history.
The Untold Story: Early Metallica Guitarist Shares Why He’s Not Considered an ‘Original Member
