The only guy who can play Enter Sandman at Guitar Center without getting eye rolls

Oh look another guy at guitar center playing Enter Sandman

They say never meet your heroes, but I met James and he was such a kind, humble and cool dude. One of the best of all time.

Big applause to that football coach who didn't allow James to play football if he doesn't cut his long hair. His decision gave us one of of the greatest Rock/Metal band in history! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🎸🎸🎸

Imagine being the dude that sold James hetfield his first guitar

So basically we were one haircut away from never having Metallica

8 years ago, when this video was first released, I watched this and THIS inspired me to pick up a guitar. This was the moment. 8 years later, a few classes later, I have my Schecter Omen-6 sitting right next to me. To everyone involved in this video: thank you. This changed my life.

He's got this amazing voice not just for singing but when he speaks relaxedly, like here, you can listen to that unique vibration in his vocal cords.

There's an alternative universe where James Hetfeild got that haircut and became greatest football player

That was the best $200 that James' mom ever spent.

"you don't wanna hear me solo" no James, yes I do

He says that we don’t wanna hear him solo, but I bet he can rip a badass solo! His picking is so precise

This James guy seems nice. Hope he and his band make it.

Plot twist: there is no interviewer, he's just talking to himself

i remember when this video came out, i’ll never forget it. i was going through my “metallica phase” and was just “enjoying playing covers” and i was getting really good; i thought i was just going to keep it a hobby, until i saw this. everything James says is so well thought out and comes straight from the heart, and it’s so inspirational and honest. THIS ALONE, made me want to be a professional guitar player. watching this as a 12 year old kid made me so excited and so inspired and so hopeful; i’d had never felt so inspired in my life by anybody before. i attended Berklee for a bit, and now i play lots of gigs, make money playing guitar, and get to do my own stuff on the side. james and GC can’t even fathom how many guitarists and musicians they’ve inspired with this. i had no friends growing up, music was all i had, and all i did growing up was sit in my room with my $50 yamaha junior size acoustic playing until my fingers were actually bleeding. this video alone did so much for me back then, and even still that holds true now. there will never be another band like metallica. and there will never be anyone like james.

James at a guitar center. . . . . Giving a ted talk

*After decades James finally listened to his football coach*

Did James just say, "You only get out of life what you put in to it." That is what a friend once told me when I was finally making progress in playing Metallica on the guitar in the late 80s. Talk about full circle 🦋

Such a well-spoken, gentle man. I love him!

Imagine being in a gc thinking "ugh this dude keeps only playing Metallica what the hell" and walking in and it's James Hetfield

Imagine the guy who sold his guitar to James is thinking "hey I know that guy"

I had the pleasure of seeing Metallica in May of '86 when they opened for Ozzy, and I was blown away! I got to meet James Hetfield that night, too! Super humble guy. He loves the fans and always makes time for them. Even 37 years later..Metallica still engages with their fans. Great guys, and so well deserving of their success.

Anyone with kids interested in music should show this clip to them. Everything he says in this is what aspiring musicians need to hear.

James should have his own podcast. I could listen to him talk all day

* James Learning Guitar * Guitar Teacher: Ok James, this is called an upstro- James: No.

James is such a real dude. Such much talent writing, vocals and guitar - amazing. How can you not love him

James is a seriously underrated guitarist.

In an alternate timeline, James Hetfield is in the NFL Hall of Fame

Black Sabbath was his idol band, and he eventually toured with Ozzy. Talk about literal dream come true

7:03-7:40 needs to be a song. Please James make this a complete song!!! That riff sounds absolutely amazing

What I love about James's playing is that he goes with anything off the top of his mind

7:02 is so good! I pray he can weave it into a song one day

James: “ I wanna play drums on guitar.” Cliff: “ I wanna play guitar solos on bass.”

His mom bought his guitar with a MASTER, MASTER card.

Who comes back to just hear James play the riff at 7:00?

When you see the Russian footage of them playing live to over a million people at one time, a crowd so large that multiple military helicopters flew just above them but you couldnt hear them over the cheering, then you get a glimpse of the insanity this man has directed with his music!!!

"Music was the voice I did not have." Powerful stuff.

James has a great voice. I could listen to him talk for hours. He should totally do a podcast.

I love how all of the bad ass, intimidating heavy hitters I grew up looking up to, have such cool, laid-back personalities. James is so humble and relaxed here. It's like you're just hanging and chatting with another guy, who happens to have written some truly mind blowing, scene changing, songs. Insane. Reality is just insane.🖤

When I think of great or legendary guitar players, this guy doesn't even com to mind. Awesome how he always stayed at the forefront of music but always hid in the shadows at the same time.

This is the #1 man in metal. Granted, can't shred like Dime could, can't hit the notes Dio could, but he fucking put it out there like no other, and still is.

The part about his mother about buying him a guitar ‘She said yeah’ And with that a culture was created. Crazy really

Love how passionate he is about playing guitar, the way he talks about it is so genuine, such belief in what he feels about music, probably the reason he is so inspirational.

I watch this once / twice a month. The ground up story is so genuine.

I love that the interviewer knows how to shut the hell up

as corny as it sounds but I'm thankful his mother bought that guitar for him can you imagine what metal would be like if she said no to him

I love James and how he is really open and clean these days. You are a legend Mr Hetfield! Don’t ever stop!

James Hetfield told me how to play guitar 28 years ago through his music. When he is talking about playing guitar he talks right from my heart. When he riffs in this video even more. I watched this video for the 20th time now. I think you need to get older to understand who your inspirations in life was. For me at age 38 one of my biggest influences was him. I dont like everything he did in his career. But i can undestand it. Today i am playing everything from metal to jazz to blues and pop and more. But in my heart i will always play james hetfield rhythm guitar. I never understood soloing. When he says he always was into rhythm guitar i totally agreed and finally i understood. What a great video. I will watch it again and again. I know it

james: i was a very shy kid also james: *plays in front of 1.6 million people*

James - You know Larz - Ummm Kirk - Uhhhhh Rob - Nervous laughter

I love James's playing style, so emotive. So damn talented And a solid dude too

7.40 ish... Make that a song now Also, James is an absolute legend in many dimensions... He may feel like he's just a person, but he's an idol to many for lots of reasons... One badass but also thoughtful, polite, respectful multi faceted individual that has influenced and inspired millions. Top bloke. Thanks for sharing your gift with us for all these years, your music has enriched mine and millions of other's lives more than you probably understand.

So, if you see that guy in the parking lot at lunch playing his guitar alone in his car. Don't make fun of him, he might be on to something.

Apart from his legendary songs what amazes me is his patience with Lars

I’ve come back to this again and again, and the riff/lick James works on thru this clip I really hope gets a release one day. The three variations from 3:30, 7:00 and 11:17 are amazing. Melancholic but so beautiful.

What a great interview to see and listen to. I am totally humbled by this man's honesty, strength, genuine persona, and the fact that he is such a great musician! Love the music even more now👍♥️❤️‍🔥🤘🌟. Thank God for that gift given to this man.🙏💜

That Battery riff never ceases to kick my ass every time I hear it. How the fuck do you even play that?...

Imagine being those high school kids in “Obsession” and telling James Hetfield his original songs sucked lol.

This is why Metallica is so awesome. There’s no pretensions, just great riffs and great music.

2:32 He already had vision of seeing himself on stage. Man, I wish I had found a goal instead of living day to day.

I have noticed that every since James got sober, there is a softness and kindness in his eyes that was not there before.

"You don't want to hear me solo". Yes we do.

What an awesome interview…seems like a really cool and grounded guy who’s just happy where he is in life…good for him…

Great respect to James. Extremely sincere, extremely inspirational!

02:10 "I wrote some songs, they didn't like them.. They just wanted to play covers"... If their regret could only be measured...

I like James a lot better as a man in his 50s. Good dude

I very much appreciate that James gives back in so many different areas of life to help others. You sound like an awesome man that recognizes your blessings. Well done.

Playing music is like time stops and your in a completely different universal for a small window of time.

Would be cool if James tracked down his old football coach 30 years later: Hey, I got a haircut. Can I join the team?

My son really loved this man and this band...Im sure hes still listening to them inHeaven RIP...my son...

Mature grounded James Hetfield is by far the best version of James Hetfield. There's something very comforting and soothing about listening to him talk about his experiences; sort of like the way listening to a Morgan Freeman narration makes you feel all comfortable and safe.

James, you’ve been a helping hand in my life with your lyrics and hearing you speak your truth. God bless you man ❤ very proud of you

Someone walks into guitar center and hears him playing..... “ That’s not how Hetfield plays it”

Just Imagine the Hunger of James. Started out a band at the age of 17, practising everyday, making Immortal songs at a very young age and still doing it today even when he's getting older.

Man, James is one of the most profund, sincere and kindest person on earth. I love the way he talks and the way he thinks - he's amazing!

I enjoy a broad range of music, from pop to classical to the dark, heavy stuff. But every so often I come back to Metallica, and I think wow, this is where the music is. And I can't help but be pulled into a multi-day Metallica binge. This man is an absolute gift to the world, as is the rest of the band.

Imagine going to Guitar Centre and seeing James Hetfield. That would be amazing

This man speaks to me on a spiritual level

Learned more about Hetfield in this interview than I could have ever imagined

One of the if not *the* most humble, kind and genuine heavy metal guitarist/frontmen in the world. I don't care what anyone says about Metallica or Hetfield. James is a stand up guy and Metallica is one of the most influential, inspirational bands of all time. That's a fact!

“But Eddie Van Halen’s got long hair...” For some reason I remembered that quote after I heard the news. RIP.

Wow. Forget what ever James goes through to keep going, as a person I think he is humble and talks a lot of sense. Wish you well James, you are the inspiration for us all , thankyou

Still watching these guys even now and they just love what they do and are grateful for the success they worked so hard for.

I bet his old band members who turned his music down are real pissed.

I was forced to listen to kill em all when it came out. My brother would lock me in his room and play it outside his door until the album was over. I thank him to this day for it. R.i.p. brother.

I just love how humble James is. So many could learn from that.... Respect.

He is pure heart!!!!!! When I hear former band members or others pointing out his flaws all I hear is hate. They are ego and craving fame. They don’t understand the key to his glow is his pure heart and that comes through and it’s what makes both his music and presence shine.

Lmao I can imagine James and his old cover bands friends like this, James: here’s this riff I wrote, I call it master of puppets His friends: that’s not really that good, let’s stick to covers.

No matter how hard I try I can never play Battery like James

One of the best ftontmen of all time. Not negotiable. Amazing talent and very influential. Thanks James.

Wow… I never thought that I need to watch this video right now. This is not just a musician talking about music, this is a life lesson. As I have a confidence crisis in my career as a photographer, I get encouraged by one of the G.O.A.T. musician. How magical. God bless you, Papa Het!

Never would have picked up a guitar if not for this man... Now my band is Recording a single in Nashville next week...

1:01 guy: dude I'm selling my guitar for 200 you want it? james: YEHEAAAAAH

That was the most AWESOME video/interview I've ever seen. JH is a true living legend. Nothing but respect. \○○/

He's very nice and sincere. I appreciate it.

James downpicking is faster than your alternate picking

I've been a fan of Metallica since I was 12 (I'm now 47) and even now when I listen to James speak I still think wow, he is just the coolest dude ever.

What a genuinely honest and down to earth guy.

Been watching this video for years over and over when I need to feel inspired as well as when I need a pick me up. Just listening to Papa talk, is so relaxing.

This man is the reason I play guitar.