Metallca Timeline at SanitariuM

1962

* February 10 - Cliff Burton born
* November 18 - Kirk Hammett born

1963

* March 4 - Jason Newsted born
* August 3 - James Hetfield born
* December 26 - Lars Ulrich born

1977

* Jason's first band Diamond with Kevin Kendrick, Todd Smiedendorf and Tom Depoy formed in Niles, MI
Newsted family relocates from Niles to Kalamazoo, MI
* September - James' freshman year at Downey HS; befriends Ron McGovney

1978

* James joins his first band, Obsession with Jim Arnold, Rich and Ron Veloz

1979 - 1980

* James' mother passes away and he moves to La Brea, CA.
* James quits Obsession

1980 - 1981

* James forms Phantom Lord with Jim Mulligan and Hugh Tanner

1981

* May 9 - Lars and James meet for the first time in Newport Beach, CA.
* June - Ron McGovney joins Phantom Lord and renames to Leather Charm; band falls apart when drummer and guitarist leave
* October 15 - METALLICA FORMED
* October 31 - Jason Newsted and Tom Hamlin relocate to Phoenix, AZ from Kalamazoo, MI

1982

* January - First demo of Hit The Lights recorded, Lloyd Grant overdubs guitar solo
* March - Band records 3 song demo; one original song: Hit The Lights; and two covers: Killing Time and Let It Loose this leads to gig opening for Saxon
* March 14 - First Metallica gig at Radio City, Anaheim, CA
* March 28 - Second gig, supporting Saxon at Whiskey - A - Go - Go, Hollywood, CA
* April - Band records "Power Metal" 4 - track demo of Hit The Lights, The Mechanix, Jump In The Fire & Motorbreath
* April 23 - Only appearance as 5 - piece w/Damien Philips (aka Jeff Warner) in Costa Mesa, CA
* May 25 - James' first gig on rhythm guitar at Backbay (Lars') High School, Costa Mesa, CA
* June 14 - Metal Massacre LP released, first appearance of Metallica on record
* July 6 - Recording session for No Life Til Leather demo tape, songs: Hit the Lights, Seek & Destroy, Motorbreath, The Mechanix, Jump In The Fire, Metal Militia and Phantom Lord; financed by High Velocity records
* September 18 - First San Francisco gig at The Keystone
* November 11 - Band plays at The Woodstock in LA, supporting Y&T
* November 29 - First headlining gig in SF, Kirk Hammett's Exodus opens
* November 30 - ast show with Ron McGovney at San Francisco's Mabuhay Gardens
* December 10 - Ron McGovney and Metallica part
* December 28 - Cliff Burton joins Metallica

1983

* February 11 - 15 - Metallica moves from from Los Angeles to San Francisco
* March 5 - Cliff's first Metallica show at The Stone in SF; Exodus opens
* April 1 - Kirk Hammett asked to join Metallica.
* April 9 - Dave Mustaine's last show
* April 11 - Dave given bus ticket back to Californa, requested to leave Metallica
* April 16 - Kirk's first show with Metallica in Dover, NJ
* May 3 - Metallica signs with John Zazula's Megaforce Records
* May 10 - 27 - Kill Em All recording sessions in Rochester, NY
* July 27 - September 3 - First tour: "Kill Em All For One" with Raven
* September 24 - Ride The Lightning demos recorded, "live" track of Phantom Lord and Seek & Destroy recorded
* September 24 - Jason Newsted forms Dogz with Kelly David - SmithEric AK joins Dogz, Dogz becomes Flotsam & Jetsam

1984

* January 19 - Bands equipment stolen in Boston MA, this event inspires 'Fade To Black'
* January 20 - Jump In The Fire 12" released in Europe
* February 3 - First European tour begins with Venom in Zurich, Switzerland
* February 20 - Ride The Lightning recording begins at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark
* March 26 - First appearance in England at London's Marquee Club
* June 6 - Second European tour starts in Holland with Twisted Sister
* August 1 - First meeting with future co - manager Cliff Burnstein of Q Prime
* August 2 - First Manager Megaforce (John Zazula) released
* September 12 - Metallica signs with Elektra Records in USA
* November 16 - Elektra re - releases Ride The Lightning
* November 17 - 18 - Trapped Under Ice played live for FIRST time in Paris.
* November 18 - Paris; First major European Tour begins Tank is the support act.
* November 23 - Creeping Death 12" released in Europe
* December 20 - First London headlining gig at Lyceum, end of first European tour.

1985

* January 10 - USA co - headline tour begins in Nova Scotia
* February 9 - First performance of Fade To Black in Chicago
* March 9 - Ride The Lightning peaks at #100 on USA charts
* March 18 - Ride The Lightning tour ends in Portland, OR
* August 17 - Metallica performs Monsters Of Rock Festival at Castle Donington for the first time
* September 2 - Master Of Puppets recording sessions begin in Denmark
* September 14 - Band plays the Metal Hammer festival in England, performs Disposable Heroes for first time
* September 30 - Metallica performs at Day On The Green Festival in Oakland, CA
* December 27 - Recording of Master Of Puppets completed
* December 27 - Recording of Master Of Puppets completed
* December 31 - Metallica plays the SF's Civic Center, with Megadeth, Exodus and Metal Church

1986

* February 21 - Master Of Puppets is released in USA
* March 27 - USA tour supporting Ozzy Osbourne starts in Wichita, KS
* May 11 - Master Of Puppets peaks at #29 in USA
* July 26 - James breaks arm while skateboarding in Evansville, IN
* July 27 - John Marshall plays rhythm guitar as James recovers
* Aug 3 - Last USA appearance with Cliff
* September 10 - European leg of Damage Inc. tour starts in Cardiff, Wales
* September 26 - Last gig with Cliff Burton in Stockholm, Sweden; James' arm healed, plays rhythm guitar
* September 27 - Cliff Burton dies in bus accident in Sweden
* October 7 - Cliff's funeral, Castro Valley, CA
* October 28 - Jason Newsted joins Metallica
* October 31 - Jason's last show with Flotsam & Jetsam
* November 4 - Master Of Puppets certified Gold in USA
* November 8 - Jason's first gig with Metallica at Country Club in Reseda, CA
* November 20 - First Japanese tour ends at Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo

1987

* February 8 - Damage Inc. Tour world tour ends in Zwolle, Holland
* February 13 - Metallica plays Aardschock festival in Gothenburg Sweden with Anthrax and Metal Church; Scrap Metal opens, consisting of roadies of the various roadies, including Metallica's Eddie Kercer and Fleming Larsen
* March 23 - James re - breaks arm in 2nd skateboarding accident
Band scheduled to appear on NBC TV's Saturday Night Live cancelled due to James' broken arm
* July 8 - Recording session for Garage Days Re - revisited begins in Los Angeles
* Aug 8 - Master Of Puppets ends 72 week run on USA Charts
* August 21 - Garage Days Re - revisited released in USA
* August 22 - Metallica plays Castle Donington festival
* October 10 - Garage Days Re - revisited peaks at #28 on USA Charts
* November 5 - Ride The Lightning certified Gold in USA
* December 4 - Cliff 'Em All home video released in USA
* December 7 - Garage Days Re - revisited certified Gold in USA

1988

* January 15 - Kill Em All re-released in USA by Elektra with Am I Evil? and Blitzkrieg as bonus tracks
* January 29 - Recording sessions for ...And Justice For All begins in Los Angeles
* February 4 - Cliff 'Em All home video certified gold and platinum in USA
* May 27 - Monsters Of Rock tour starts in Troy, WI with 40,000 people featuring Van Halen, Metallica, Scorpions and Kingdom Come
* July 28 - Master Of Puppets certified double platinum in USA
* Aug 19 - Harvester Of Sorrow 12" single released in UK
* August 25 - ...And Justice For All released in USA
* September 11 - First show of Damaged Justice tour in Budapest, Hungary
* October 9 - ..And Justice For All peaks at #6 in USA
* October 30 - Eye Of the Beholder single is released in USA
* October 31 - ...And Justice For All certified Gold and platinum in USA
* November 15 - USA leg of Damaged Justice tour starts in Toledo, OH
* December 6 - Footage for One music video shot

1989

* January 9 - One single released in USA
* February 5 - Live radio broadcast of concert in Dallas, TX on Z - Rock radio network
* February 22 - Metallica performs One on worldwide broadcast of Grammy Awards
* April 5 - Cliff 'Em All certified triple platinum in USA
* April 8 - One single peaks at #35 in USA
* April 21 - Last show with Queensryche opening, The Cult new support act
* May 1 - First show in New Zealand in Auckland
* May 3 -First show in Australia in Adelaide
* May 16 - Kill Em All certified gold & RTL certified platinum in USA
* June 20 - 2 Of One Home video released in USA
* July 20 - ...And Justice For All certified double platinum in USA
* August 18 - 2 Of One certified platinum in USA
* September 23 - ast USA gig on Damaged Justice tour at Laguna Hills, CA
* October 8 - Last show of Damaged Justice tour in Sao Paulo, Brazil

1990

* January - Band records Stone Cold Crazy for release on Elektra 40th Anniversary album "Rubaiyat"
* May - Metallica plays several European festivals; including surprise shows at Hippodrome and Marquee in London
* August 13 - James and Lars record 3 demo's for new album
* October 6 - Recording of self - titled Metallica album commences at One On One Studio in California
* October 14 - Records demo for The Unforgiven at Bayview Studios, CA

1991

* April 29 - May 4 - James, Lars and Bob Rock do minor recording at Little Mountain Studios in Vancouver
* June 10 - Mixing and minor recording starts at A & M Studios in Hollywood
* July 7 - Band leaves A&M Studios, recording and remixing of Metallica ends
* July 8 - 10 - Mastering of Metallica at Sterling Sound in New York
* August 3 - Listening party for Metallica at Madison Square Garden
* August 12 - Self - titled Metallica album released, debuts at #1 on USA charts
* August 17 - Band performs at Castle Donington Monsters Of Rock
* September 28 - Metallica performs in Moscow at the Tushino Airfield
* October 12 - Wherever I May Roam tour begins

1992

* February 25 - Enter Sandman performed at Grammy Awards, wins Best Heavy Metal award for Metallica
* April 20 - Band performs at Tribute To Freddie Mercury at Wembley Stadium; this 3 song set appears on the live Nothing Else Matters CD single that features the Scary Guy, James performs Stone Cold Crazy with Queen and Tony Iommi
* July 17 - Co - headline tour with Guns N Roses begins at RFK Stadium, Washington DC
* August 8 - James burned by pyro mishap at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada; Riot ensues when Guns N Roses frontman leaves stage

1993

* July 4 - Last show of Wherever I May Roam tour
* November 23 - Binge & Purge box set released
Metallica Club formed

1994

* May 30 - Summer tour begins in Buffalo, NY. Kill/Ride Medley and The God that Failed played live for the first time
* July 3 - Danzig's last gig opening for Metallica, Glenn performs Misfit's classics London Dungeon, Last Caress and Green Hell with Metallica; Suicidal Tendencies joins Metallica on So What
* August 21 - Last show on Summer tour; Rob Halford joins Metallica on Rapid Fire

1995

* February 15 - James and Lars join Long Beach/Los Angeles area radio station KNAC for its last few hours of broadcasting; Kirk does an AOL Online chat
* May - Band begins recording sessions for next album(s)
* August 17 - Rehearsal attended by Club members
* August 23 - Bands performs Club Member only gig at London Astoria 2
* August 26 - Bands interrupts recording session to play Castle Donington Monsters Of Rock show
* September - Band plays gig at Tuktoyatuk, Canada with Hole, Veruca Salt and Moist

1996

* February 13 - James gets his hair cut
* May 21 - Until It Sleeps single released in USA
* May 23 - Premiere of Until It Sleeps video on MTV
* June 1 - Load is released in Japan
* June 3 - Load is released in non - Japan/North America areas
* June 4 - Load is released in North America; Metallica plays 2 short sets on flatbed trucks at Tower Records in San Jose and Sacramento
* June 9 - 10 - Band plays Club members only gig in San Francisco, show appears on Internet and Fan Can 2
* June 23 - Band plays Club members only gig in Toronto, Canada
* June 27 - Lollapalooza Festival tour begins
* August 3 - Lemmy of Motorhead joins band onstage in Irvine, CA for Overkill
* August 4 - Last Lollapalooza show in Irvine, CA; Lemmy joins sits in on Overkill, Jerry Cantrell joins for For Whom the Bell Tolls; Live recordings of 5 songs from this show appeared as b - sides
* September 4 - Metallica plays Until it Sleeps at MTV Video Awards
* September 6 - Poor Touring Me European tour begins in Vienna, Austria with Corrosion of Conformity opening
* November 14 - Metallica scheduled to play King Nothing at MTV Europe's Video Music Awards; Last Caress/So What performed instead
* November 27 - Last European Poor Touring Me in Copenhagen, Denmark
* December 19 - Poor Touring Me North America begins in Fresno, CA; Korn opens

1997

* January 26 - Lars marries Skylar in Las Vegas, NV
* January 27 - King Nothing performed at American Music Awards
* January 28 - Last date with Korn opening, Corrosion Of Conformity opens remaining shows
* February 9 - Fuel played for the first time in Chicago
* May 28 - Poor Touring Me ends in Edmonton, Canada
* July - ReLoad recording session commences
* August 17 - James marries longtime girlfriend Francesca
* August 22 - Band breaks from studio for European Festivals, Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium
* August 23 - Blindman's Ball - Stuttgart, Germany
* August 24 - Reading Festival - England
* October 10 - ReLoad recording finished
* October 18 - 19 - Metallica plays acoustic show at Neil Young's 11th Annual Bridge benefit
* October 21 - 22 - The Memory Remains video shoot in Van Nuys, CA
* November 10 - The Memory Remains single released worldwide (except N. America)
* November 11 - The Memory Remains sigle released in North America; Metallica performs a free show in Philadelphia
* November 13 - TV appearance on BBC's Top of the Pop; Club show at London's Ministry of Sound, eight songs recorded at this show would appear as b - sides on various formats of The Unforgiven II single
* November 14 - ReLoad released in Japan
* November 15 - Club gig in Hamburg, Germany
* November 16 - Club gigs played in Stockholm and Copenhagen; The Memory Remains music video premieres on MTV
* November 17 - Worldwide release of ReLoad (except USA and Japan)
* November 18 - USA release of ReLoad; Club show in Paris
* December 6 - Band playes The Memory Remains with Marianne Faithfull and Fuel on Saturday Night Live
* December 8 - Billboard Music Awards, wins award for Best Hard Rock Artist
* December 12 - Video shoot for The Unforgiven II in Los Angeles
* December 18 - "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You" radio broadcast hosted by sports radio personality Scott Farrell of Farrell on the Bench; The show features an acoustic set with special guests Jim Martin, Les Claypool, Gary Rossington, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Pepper Keenan and Chris Isaak

1998

* January 26 - The Unforgiven II video premieres in USA
* January 31 - Kirk marries Lani in Hawaii
* February 23 - The Unforgiven II singles are released worldwide (except N. America & Australia)
* March 2 - The Unforgiven II released in Australia
* March 17 - The Unforgiven II released in North America
* March 21 - Metallica performs live for MTV's "ReLoad, Rehearse, Request" show
* March 22 - Lone Ulrich, Lars' mother passes away; First three Pacific Rim tour dates rescheduled
* April 2 - Pacific Rim leg of Poor Re - Touring Me begins in Newcastle, Australia
* April 7 - Metallica plays live for Club members on Australian TV show "Recovery"
* May 7 - Fuel video taped in Tokyo
* May 8 - Pacific Rim leg of Poor Re - Touring Me ends in Tokyo
* May 21 - Fuel video premieres on MTV in USA
* June 13 - Cali Tee Hetfield born
* June 16 - Fuel singles released
* June 24 - North American leg of Poor Re - Touring Me begins in West Palm Beach, Florida
* July 6 - 11 - Met Club contest winners work on tour as roadies for Metallica
* August 5 - Myles Ulrich born
* August 8 - Tour break
* August 15 - Jason performs with Sepultura in Brazil
* August 28 - Tour resumes in Irvine, CA
* September 13 - Last show of Poor Re - Touring Me in San Diego, CA
* September 15 - Metallica return to studio to record new cover songs for Garage Days re - release
* October 10 - MetClub's first CD-ROM, "Byte the Lightning", ships.
* October 18 - Metallica performs set at the Playboy Mansion.
* October 23 - Turn The Page video shot, directed by Jonas Akerlund in LA.
* November 6 - Kirk has emergency appendectomy while on promo tour in London.
* November 17 - Toronto, Canada first show in Garage Inc promo tour.
* November 18 - Metallica TV appears on MTV features premiere of Turn The Page music video.
* November 19 - Chicago, IL Garage Inc promo tour.
* November 20 - Detroit, MI Garage Inc promo tour.
* November 22 - Whiskey In The Jar home video shot in NY. Jonas Ackerlund returns as director.
* November 23 - Philadelphia, PA Garage Inc promo tour.
* November 23 - Garage Inc. released outside North America.
* November 24 - New York, shown live on MTV Garage Inc promo tour.
* November 24 - Garage Inc. released in North America.
* November 22 - VH-1 airs Behind the Music program dedicated to Metallica.
* December 8 - Cunning Stunts home video released on video tape and DVD, making this the first music related video shot specifically for DVD.

1999

* January 7 - Metallica announces plans to play two shows with the San Francisco Symphony, with Michael Kamen conducting and arranging
* March 15 - Jason and Ted Nugent announce Metallica's plans for New Year's Eve at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, Michigan.
* April 12 - Metallica's Garage Remain the Same tour begins in Hawaii.
* April 14 - Metallica.com's new design is unveiled!
* April 21 / 22 - The S&M shows in Berkeley, California, with the San Francisco Symphony and Michael Kamen conducting.
* April 30 - Metallica plays Mexico City with Monster Magnet and Pantera.
* May 2 - Garage Remains the Same tour hits South America.
* May 21 - Garage Remains the Same tour heads to Europe.
* July 20 - Garage Remains the Same Europe ends.
* July 24 - Metallica plays an explosive set at Woodstock '99.
* August 2 - Free e-mail@metallica.com e-mail service begins, allowing Metallica fan's worldwide to have their very own Metallica e-mail address.
* October 5 - S&M, the latest Metallica CD is announced. It will contain the symphony shows held earlier this year.
* November 5 - Lars appears on MTV to premiere the new S&M version of 'Hero of the Day.'
* November 6 - MTV airs "Metallica: S&M," part of their 'Spanking Live New Music' week. Five new music videos from S&M hit the various video channels and radio.
* November 16 - A live version of 'Seek & Destroy' appears on the 'WCW: Mayhem' album.
* November 19 - S&M released in Japan. Metallica plays in Berlin with symphony.
* November 22 - S&M released in worldwide. No Leaf Clover to premiere on MTV.
* November 23 - S&M released in North America. Metallica plays in NY with symphony.

2000

* January 4 - Nothing Else Matters from S&M released in Australia
* February 1 - Re-mastered, gold pressing of Ride the Lightening released in US
* February 7 - S&M released on video in Australia
* February 23 - Metallica wins their fifth Grammy in the Best Hard Rock category for Whiskey in the Jar
* March 13 - No Leaf Clover single released in Australia
* March 20 - No Leaf Clover single released in Europe
* April 7 - Online chat with Mars Music
* April 8 - Metallica and Michael Kamen win Arthur M. Sochot award for excellence for S&M. Lars wins California Music Award for outstanding drummer.
* April 13 - Filming begins for I Disappear video.
* April 19 - Official radio airplay debut for I Disappear
* May 9 - Mission: Impossible Soundtrack (Including I Disappear) released in North America.
* June 3 - Los Angeles, CA – MTV Movie Awards; perform I Disappear.
* June 20 - S&M DVD Released
* October 27 - Metallica wins for: Favorite Turn -It-Up-Loud CD (S&M), Most Talked About Artist, Internet Hero (Lars), Favorite Group, Best Fan Website
* November 30 - VH1 My Music awards Los Angeles, CA - perform "Fade To Black"; wins Best Stage Spectacle and Gods of Thunder awards. This would be Jason's last performance with the band.

2001

* January 17 - Jason Newsted leaves Metallica
* February 21 - Metallica wins sixth Grammy in the Best Hard Rock Instrumental Performance category for: “The Call of Ktulu” from S&M.
* April 7 - Metallica wins the Artist Contribution Award at the ESPN Action, Sports & Music awards.
* April 23 - Metallica and Bob Rock enter studio to begin recording the next album.
* July 19 - James Hetfield enters rehab, recording halted.
* October 16 - NASCAR: Full Throttle released featuring “Fuel For Fire” (Demo of Fuel).
* November 6 - Classic Albums released in the US on DVD.
* December 13 - Metallica announces James Hetfield has exited rehab.

2002

* April 14 - Metallica appears at the taping of MTV ICON a tribute to Aerosmith.
* May 1 - Metallica enter their North California Studio.
* May 8 - Lars and Kirk perform with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony (Van Halen) in a band called High Maintenance at the Fillmore in San Francisco.
* July 6 - Re-launch party held at Metallica’s North California Studio.
* November 12 - Live Shit: Binge and Purge released on DVD
* December 10 - We Did it Again track featuring Metallica and Ja Rule on Swiss Beats’ album G.H.E.T.T.O.

2003

* February 5 - Metallica announce Summer Sanitarium tour 2003 w/ Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Deftones, and Mudvayne.
* February 11 - 53rd&3rd released on We're A Happy Family - A Tribute To The Ramones.
* February 24 - Rob Trujillo joins Metallica.
* April 8 - St. Anger is finished recording.
* April 9 - Mastering of St. Anger begins in New York.
* April 11 - Mastering of St. Anger finished.
* April 30 - Video shoot for "St. Anger" at San Quentin state prison.
* May 3 - Taping of MTV ICON Metallica in Los Angeles.
* May 27 - St. Anger video debuts
* June 6 - St. Anger released worldwide.
* June 23 - St. Anger singles released.
* July 21 - Video shoot for Frantic in Montreal Canada.
* August 15 - Frantic video debuts on Metallica.com.
* August 19 - James Hetfield's cover of Walyon Jennings' Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Gone Out Of Hand is released on the I've Always Been Crazy: Tribute to Waylon Jennings album.
* August 28 - MTV Video Music Awards: Metallica perform a short medley of Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way? Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit White Stripes - Seven Nation Army Michael Jackson - Beat It then Frantic.
* September 22 - Frantic singles released.
* October 15 - Video shoot for The Unnamed Feeling in Los Angeles
* December 31 - Metallica play for New Years Eve in Las Vegas

2004

* January 12 - The Unnamed Feeling singles released.
* January 21 - Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster Premieres at the Sundance Film Festival
* February 8 - Metallica wins 7th Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for St. Anger.
* March 15 - Metallica receive a Governors Award from the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy for Creative Excellence and Outstanding Achievement.
* May 18 - Metallica awarded the Creative Voice Award by ASCAP for "significant career achievements are equally informed by their creative spirit and by their contributions to the role that a creator can play in their community."
* June 6 - Kirk Hammett wins Outstanding Guitarist award at the California Music Awards.
* July 13 - Some Kind Of Monster EP released.
* August 17 - So What! The Good, The Mad, The Ugly book released.