Almost 40 years after first joining the thrash-metal icons, early Metallica bassist Ron McGovney says he has absolutely no regrets about leaving the group.
For close to 40 years, the mighty Metallica have survived as one of the most iconic and enduring thrash-metal bands of all-time. Having been formed by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich back in 1981, it wasn’t until 1983 that the band released their first album, having gone through a few lineup shuffles at first.
While former Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine served as their initial guitarist, bass duties were handled by Ron McGovney at first, though his tenure with the band was short-lived.
Although McGovney featured on some of the band’s most iconic demos, including No Life ‘Til Leather and Metal Up Your Ass, he had made the decision to leave the band in December of 1982, being replaced by Cliff Burton as tensions between him and the duo of Hetfield and Ulrich grew.
Years later though, Metallica would become a household name and one of the leading forces in the world of not only heavy metal, but popular music.
Considering their level of fame, one would almost assume that McGovney would feel some sort of regret about his decision to leave the group. However, according to the man himself, that’s not the case.
No. It’s not a lifestyle that I could have survived. In many ways.
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— Ron McGovney (@RonMcGovney) October 26, 2019
Speaking on Twitter recently, Ron McGovney responded to a fan who asked him that very question, inquiring as to whether or not he looks back on his decision to leave the band with regret.
“No,” McGovney replied rather simply. “It’s not a lifestyle that I could have survived. In many ways.”
While many would assume such a decision would impact someone greatly, McGovney explained to Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast in 2018 that he didn’t really mind considering he wasn’t really enjoying the band’s thrash style, and that he was more keen on becoming a motorcycle mechanic.
While Ron McGovney also claimed that the late Cliff Burton always treated him with respect, his former bandmates haven’t forgotten him either, having performed alongside Metallica and Dave Mustaine in 2011, and joining Megadeth onstage in 2013.
In related news, Aussie metalheads were undoubtedly devastated last month to learn that the highly-anticipated tour from Ron McGovney’s old bandmates would not be going ahead as planned.
Originally slated to kick off this month, the band revealed that their upcoming dates would be postponed while frontman James Hetfield entered a treatment program in order to confront his struggles with addiction.
At this stage, there’s no word as to when these dates will be rescheduled, though proposed tourmates Slipknot say they’re hoping to bring their live show down to Australia regardless at a similarly undetermined date.
Check out Ron McGovney onstage with Metallica in 2011:
