Metallica, fronted by James Hetfield, entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
The band was inducted on April 4, 2009, in its first year of nomination and its second year of eligibility. The honored lineup included Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo, as well as former bassist Jason Newsted and the late Cliff Burton. Burton’s father, Ray Burton, accepted the honor on his son’s behalf.
Metallica formed in Los Angeles in 1981 and became one of heavy metal’s defining bands through albums such as Master of Puppets, ...And Justice for All and Metallica, commonly called The Black Album. Hetfield’s rhythm guitar, songwriting and forceful vocals became central to the group’s sound, while Ulrich helped shape its driving percussion and business direction.
The most frequent confusion involves other members of the “Big Four” of thrash metal: Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. They are closely linked historically, but none was the band inducted in 2009. Metallica performed “Master of Puppets” and “Enter Sandman” at the ceremony.