{"id":941446,"date":"2026-05-06T11:39:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/941446\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T11:39:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:39:23","slug":"jason-newsted-reveals-how-addiction-struggles-contributed-to-metallica-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/941446\/","title":{"rendered":"Jason Newsted reveals how addiction struggles contributed to Metallica exit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jason Newsted<\/a> has revealed that his struggles with addiction played a part in his departure from Metallica<\/a> in 2001.<\/p>\n

Talking to YouTuber Dean Delray, the bassist, who joined the San Francisco metal titans in 1986, says that he was a \u201chorrible addict\u201d around the time of his exit. He adds that his bandmates\u2019 refusal to slow down and give him time to get help for his condition was a major factor in his decision to step away.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The 63-year-old explains (via The PRP<\/a>): \u201cThe reason I left Metallica is because I was a horrible addict. I was way up against myself, and if I didn\u2019t get some kind of help, I was going to die. And so I just said, \u2018You guys, can I have a minute? Please give me a minute.\u2019 And they said, \u2018No.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

He continues: \u201cI said, \u2018I would rather live than be in your band. I love being in your band. I think it\u2019s kind of obvious. I wear your shirt every fucking night.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it\u2019s like, you know, \u2018I wear our shirt every night. I fly my colours every night. I meet every fucking person that wants to meet and represent us for all the fans every fucking night. Don\u2019t tell me I\u2019m not committed. Don\u2019t tell me I\u2019m not loyal. Don\u2019t tell me. I\u2019m always the first one in and last one out. I\u2019m not saying the words. It\u2019s fucking history.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s real. You can\u2019t give me that minute to get my head straight again. Then I have to go. Not that I don\u2019t love you, and certainly not that I\u2019m not committed to this band.\u201d<\/p>\n

Newsted announced that he was leaving Metallica on January 17, 2001, attributing his choice to \u201cprivate and personal reasons and the physical damage I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love\u201d. In subsequent interviews, he elaborated that he was banned from pursuing outside musical projects by singer\/guitarist James Hetfield<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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During a 2001 Playboy<\/a> interview, Hetfield reasoned, \u201cWhen someone does a side project, it takes away from the strength of Metallica \u2026 Where would it end? Does he start touring with it? Does he sell shirts? Is it his band?\u201d<\/p>\n

But, two years later, the frontman admitted that he was \u201cchoking\u201d his longtime bass player. \u201cWe were brothers,\u201d he reflected, \u201cand I was trying so hard to keep that that I was choking Jason \u2026 That\u2019s how I was taught to control things: through intimidation and rage.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the Delray interview, Newsted also revealed that he had undergone treatment for throat cancer<\/a> and been given the all-clear by doctors \u201cthree week ago\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay 8 of 2025, I underwent a procedure for throat cancer,\u201d he remembered. \u201cAnd so they took a bunch of shit outta here and then they went in with lasers this way and took a bunch of shit out. So the cavern inside my head is different than it was, but we got it early.\u201d<\/p>\n

After leaving Metallica, Newsted played bass for Canadian thrashers Voivod and in Ozzy Osbourne\u2019s solo band. He took on a reduced touring schedule in 2006, after sustaining a shoulder injury, but fronted his namesake band Newsted from 2012 to 2014 before assuming his current role as the leader of the Chophouse Band. The band will tour North America in July.<\/p>\n

Metallica initially replaced Newsted with producer Bob Rock during the recording sessions for 2003\u2019s St Anger before moving on with ex-Ozzy collaborator Robert Trujillo. The band are currently gearing up for a European tour, which starts on Saturday, May 9, in Athens, Greece. See all of their planned shows and get tickets via their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ep 856 : Jason Newsted returns to the show. – YouTube
\n\"Ep<\/p>\n

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