Origin: Los Angeles, California, USA
Years active: 1981 – present
Members:James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo
Former members:Jason Newsted, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine, Ron McGovney, Lloyd Grant

Metallica is an American heavy metal band founded in Los Angeles, California in 1981.
Formed when drummer Lars Ulrich posted an advertisement in a local newspaper, Metallica's
original line-up consisted of Ulrich, rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield,
lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and bassist Ron McGovney. McGovney and Mustaine were later kicked out 
of the band, and guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Cliff Burton replaced them.
The ejection of Mustaine resulted in a long-running feud between Metallica and his band Megadeth.
In 1986, Metallica's tour bus skidded out of control, and Burton was crushed under the bus and was killed.
Jason Newsted replaced him, although he left the band in 2001 and was replaced by Robert Trujillo in 2003.