The Metallica Archives

This is a timeline of major Metallica events from 1981 to 1993.

Pre-1981

13 September 1961 - David Scott Mustaine is born in La Mesa, California. [BD3]
10 February 1962 - Clifford Lee Burton is born in Castro Valley, California. [BD3 | WG12]
18 November 1962 - Kirk Lee Hammett is born in El Sobrante, California. [BD3]
4 March 1963 - Jason Curtis Newsted is born in Battle Creek, Michigan. [BD3]
3 August 1963 - James Alan Hetfield is born in Downey, California. [BD3 | WG13]
26 December 1963 - Lars Ulrich is born in Gentofte, Denmark. [BD3]
23 October 1964 - Roberto Agustín Miguel Santiago Samuel Trujillo Veracruz is born in Santa Monica, California. [BD3]

February or March 1981 - Lars Ulrisch puts an advertisment in the Los Angeles music magazine The Recycler. It read ‘Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with. Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden.’ [BD3]
May 1981 - Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield meet for the first time. [BD3]
28 October 1981 - Metallica is formed in Los Angeles, California by Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield. Ron McGovney was aked to join on bass guitar soon after. [SI9]
Late 1981 - Dave Mustaine joins Metallica on lead guitar. [SI9]

14 March 1982 - Metallica's first show at Radio City, Anaheim, California. [WG1]
14 June 1982 - 'Various Artists - Metal Massacre' compilation released. [MC1]
6 July 1982 - Metallica's No Life 'Til Leather demo recorded at Chateau East Studio in Tustin, California. [MR1]
August 1982 - 'Metallica - No Life 'Til Leather' demo distributed. [release date has been assumed based on the date recorded, and the time to duplicate and prepare covers]

11 April 1983 - Dave Mustaine is fired from Metallica. [S18]
10 to 27 May 1983 - Metallica's Kill 'Em All recorded at Music America, in Rochester, New York. [MA1|WA1]
25 July 1983 - 'Metallica - Kill 'Em All' released. [MA1|DA1]
27 July 1983 - Metallica's U.S. 'Kill 'Em All For One Tour' supporting Raven begins. This is the band's first tour. [WG3]
29 October 1983 - Metallica's Jump In The Fire single b-sides and Ride The Lightning demos recorded at The Automatt, San Francisco, California. [MA1|WA1]

20 January 1984 - 'Metallica - Jump In The Fire' U.K. single released. [DS1]
22 January 1984 - U.S. 'Kill 'Em All For One Tour' supporting Raven ends. [WG3]
23 January 1984 - 'Metallica - Whiplash' U.S. single released. [DS2]
3 February 1983 - European 'Seven Dates Of Hell Tour' supporting Venom begins. [WG3]
12 February 1983 - European 'Seven Dates Of Hell Tour' supporting Venom ends. [WG3]
17 February 1984 - Dave Mustaine plays first show with his new band Megadeth at Ruthie's Inn in Berkeley, California. Kerry King of Slayed played guitar. [S20]
20 February to 14 March 1984 - Ride The Lightning recorded at Sweet Silence, Copenhagen, Denmark. [MA2|WA2]
27 July 1984 - 'Metallica - Ride The Lightning' released. [DA2]
October 1984 - Creeping Death single b-sides recorded. [MA1]
16 November 1984 - European 'Bang The Head That Doesn't Bang Tour' with Tank supporting begins. [WG3]
23 November 1984 - 'Metallica - Creeping Death' U.K. single released. [DS3]
20 December 1984 - European 'Bang The Head That Doesn't Bang Tour' with Tank supporting ends. [WG3]

1 September to 27 December 1985 - Master Of Puppets recorded at Sweet Silence, Copenhagen, Denmark. [WA3]

April 1987 - 'Metallica - Creeping Death / Jump In The Fire' U.K. compilation E.P. released, combining the two previously released singles. [release date has been assumed based on other Metallica, Anthrax, and Exodus CD reissued by Music For Nations that month]
July 1987 - The $5.98 E.P., Garage Days Re-Revisited recorded at A&M Studios, Santa Monica, California and Conway Studios, Los Angeles, California. [WS4]
21 August 1987 - 'Metallica - The $5.98 E.P., Garage Days Re-Revisited' E.P. released. [DS5]
28 November 1987 - 'Metallica - Cliff 'Em All!' home video released in tribute to Cliff Burton. [MV1]

28 January to 1 May 1988 - ...And Justice For All recorded at One On One, Los Angeles, California. [WA4]
28 August 1988 - 'Metallica - Harvester Of Sorrow' U.K. single released. [MS5]
7 September 1988 - 'Metallica - ...And Justice For All' released. [WA4]
30 October 1988 - 'Metallica - Eye Of The Beholder' U.S. single released. [MS6]

7 May 1990 - 'Metallica - The Good, The Bad, & The Live (The 6 1/2 Year Anniversary 12" Collection)' U.K. boxed set released combining all previously released singles and E.P.s with a new live E.P.. [MO1]
24 September 1990 - 'Various Artists - Rubáiyát (Elektra's 40th Anniversary)' compilation released. [WC2]
6 October 1990 - Metallica recording commences at One On One, Los Angeles, California. [WA5]

16 June 1991 - Metallica recording concludes at One On One, Los Angeles, California. [WA5]
12 August 1991 - 'Metallica - Metallica' released. [WA5]