Metallica played a throwback set of early material – and we mean early – to pay tribute to a very special couple: Jonny and Marsha Zazula.
Sunday’s show in Hollywood, FL included songs from the band’s first two albums, Kill ‘Em All and Ride The Lightning.
Those albums were released on Megaforce Records, which was founded by the Zazulas in 1983. Jonny also put together Metallica’s first major tour and helped launch their career.
“Thank you for coming to help us celebrate heavy music and the life of the Zazula family who made this all possible,” James Hetfield said. “They dedicated their lives to something exactly like this … live music, bringing music to the people, so we’re super grateful to be hosting this thing and getting you all together to join in with us.”
In a statement on the show, Metallica said, “Jonny gave us our first break in New York, released our first albums on his Megaforce Records label, and put us out on the road for our first real tour. With Marsha by his side, Jonny was a mentor, a manager, a label head, and a father figure to us all. We would not be where we are today without the two of them. Sadly, we recently lost both Jonny and Marsha, just a little more than a year apart.”
Jonny passed away in February.