Name:
Lars Ulrich
Born:
December 26, 1963. Gentofte, Denmark
Personal:
Married, 2 Children
Speciality:
Pounding, driving rhythms
Plays:
Drums
Vitals:
Green eyes, blonde/brown hair, 5'7"/1.7 meters tall
Equipment:
REMO Drum Heads, Iron Cobra Pedals, Easton Ahead Drumsticks, Zildjiian
17", 18", 19" medium cymbals, Zildjiian 20" China Trash, Zildjiian 14"
Dyno-Beat Hi-Hats, Zildjiian 20" Custom China, TAMA Star Classic 22"x16"
bass drums, TAMA Star Classic 16"x16" Floor Tom, TAMA Star Classic 16"x14"
Floor Tom, TAMA Star Classic 10"x9" Tom Tom, TAMA Star Classic 12"x11"
Tom Tom, TAMA Diamond Plate Signature Snare Drum 6.5x14, Tama Cymbals
stands & Hardware
Lars was barely 10 years old
when he attended a Deep Purple concert and learned what music could be.
This was no small feat when you think of the music that young Lars had
been exposed to up until that time. His father ran a small jazz club and
was very involved in Europe's jazz scene. The legendary sax player Dexter
Gordon is even Lars' godfather.
It was Deep Purple and Ritchie
Blackmore that changed the world for Lars. He was impressed enough from
their concert that he purchased their Fireball album the next day. Three
years later at age 13, he persuaded his grandmother to buy him his first
drum kit.
Drums and music took a backseat
to tennis, his father's profession. Lars was a ranked junior player in
his native Denmark when the Ulrichs moved to Newport Beach, California.
There, Lars was just another tennis player, not the notable player he
was in Denmark.
Shortly after, tennis became
less important, and Lars fell prey to the guilty pleasures of southern
California: sex, drugs and rock n' roll... Lots of rock n' roll. Lars'
passion for music grew, and he began trading tapes to obtain his beloved
blend of European metal.
In June of 1981, Lars, the
ultimate fan boy, flew to England to catch some shows by his now favorite
band, Diamond Head. Somehow, some way, Lars managed to talk his way into
living with the band in England until he had had to return to California.
Back home, he found his tape trading friend Brian Slagel looking for bands
to record tracks for an album that would be released on his new Metal
Blade Records. Lars secured himself a spot on that album. But, Lars had
no band.
Before going to England he
had jammed with a James Hetfield, a singer and guitar player. That jam
had its share of problems... Lars' timekeeping wasn't that solid and the
cymbals fell victim to gravity a bit too often. But now, he had bait:
a spot on an album.
Hetfield took the bait, and
Metallica was born. Music now shares the front seat with Lars' wife and
child, and the drummer has learned to relax a bit more, but he's still
very much in the driver's seat.
FAQ
What are Lars' vitals?
Lars Ulrich was found talking in Gentofte, Denmark on December 26th, 1963;
he is 5'7" tall and weighs 130 lbs.
Is Lars married?
Lars eloped with Skylar in Las Vegas in early 1997.
What equipment does Lars
use?
Lars plays Star Classic Maple Drums with Remo heads and Zildjian Brilliant
cymbals
What does Lars drive?
A Porsche, Chevy Blazer and a Range Rover, Saab.
Where is he from?
Gentofte (North of Copenhagen), Denmark.
Has he recorded for any
bands besides Metallica?
Lars has recorded a drum track with Mercyful Fate for a remake of their
song "Return of the Vampire."
What does he drink?
Lars likes Dry White Wine, Merlot Red Wine, Evian (especially in 1 liter
bottles), tea.
What sports teams does he
follow?
Lars follows the San Jose Sharks, the 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Was Lars really married
or engaged to Courtney Love?
No, that was a running joke perpetuated by both Lars and Courtney during
the Molson Ice Labor Day concert in Northern Canada.
What are Lars' favorite
foods?
French food, tuna, sushi, frozen yogurt.
Has Lars been in any other
bands?
No, Metallica has been Lars' one and only band.
Who are Lars' favorite tennis
players?
John McEnroe, Guillermo Vilas and Torben Ulrich.
Is it true that Lars sings
sometimes?
Metallica, on occasion has been known to switch around the instrument's
on "Am I Evil?" The (un)usual arrangement is Lars on Vox, James on drums,
Jason on guitar, Kirk on bass. Lars claims this is his "Bruce Dickinson
impersonation." This is not a very regular happening, maybe five times
ever. Lars has also lent his vocal talents on the ...And Justice For All
album, contributing the "Wizard of Oz" style intro to Frayed Ends Of Sanity!
Was Lars president of the
Motorhead fan club?
No, just another myth.
With what heavy metal band
did Lars first become interested with the Metal Scene?
Deep Purple
What does he like to do
when he gets time away from Metallica?
Lars Ulrich likes to scuba diving, skiing, going to the movies and Oasis.
What other bands influenced
Lars?
DiamondHead, Motorhead, Deep Purple
Why did Lars thank Jethro
Tull when they won the Grammy in 1992?
Jethro Tull won the award that many think Metallica deserved in 1989.
The "thanks to Jethro Tull for NOT putting out an album this year," was
an underhanded salute to the Industry for not recognizing Metallica in
1989.
What jobs has he held?
Lars was once a paper boy, and also worked at a gas station; Oasis promoter.
Is Lars a Godfather?
Yes, Lars "Corleone" is Godfather of two.
MORE ON LARS
Marital status: Married
(January 1997)
Drives: Porsche, Chevy
Blazer, Range Rover, Saab
Drinks: Dry white wine,
Evian, tea
Eats: French food, tuna,
sushi, frozen yogurt
Sports teams: San Jose
Sharks, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Before Metallica: None
Pre-Metallica career:
Paper boy, gas station attendant
Likes: Hanging with
my wife, running, scuba diving, skiing, movies, fashion, art
Listens to: Oasis, AIC,
Black Grape, my wife
Heroes: Guillermo Vilas
(Argentinian tennis player), Ritchie Blackmore, Ace Frehley
First concert: Deep
Purple, 1973, Copenhagen
Describes self as:
Anticipating, stubborn, spontaneous,sarcastic, talkative, silly, squeaky
