
English: 
Being the bass player in the world’s greatest
heavy metal band is no easy task! It’s so
difficult, that the mighty Metallica has gone
through 5 of them! We know right now some
of you are counting them on your fingers and
saying “Wait, I count 3!” Others are probably
saying “Wait, I count 4! Where the hell
are you getting 5?”
For this list, All Things Top 5 ranks the
Top 5 Metallica Bass Players that have been
“slappin da bass” from the No Life 'Til
Leather demo all the way to their most current
album!
Number 5 Bob Rock. Alright, settle down people!
I hear you! Bob Rock was never officially
a member of Metallica, but he did write and
record all of the bass parts on the 2003 album

English: 
Being the bass player in the world’s greatest
heavy metal band is no easy task!
It’s so difficult, that the mighty Metallica
has gone through 5 of them!
We know right now some of you are counting
them on your fingers and saying “Wait, I
count 3!”
Others are probably saying “Wait, I count
4!
Where the hell are you getting 5?”
For this list, All Things Top 5 ranks the
Top 5 Metallica Bass Players that have been
“slappin da bass” from the No Life 'Til
Leather demo all the way to their most current
album!
Number 5 Bob Rock.
Alright, settle down people!
I hear you!
Bob Rock was never officially a member of
Metallica, but he did write and record all

English: 
St. Anger after Jason Newstead left the band!
Bob Rock’s first entry as bass player for
Metallica happened during the recording of
“I Disappear” for Mission Impossible 2,
when Jason didn’t show up for pre-production.
Bob ended up playing bass so the band could
rehearse the song. Since the song was in the
early stages, Bob filled in so James and Lars
could figure out what they wanted to do with
the song musically. During the tumultuous
times during the St. Anger recording sessions,
where Jason left the band, James was battling
his addiction, and Lars forgot to turn on
the snare, the remaining members of Metallica
enlisted the help of a personal enhancement
coach, Phil Towle, to help them work out decades
of personal problems and internal struggles.
They asked Bob Rock to fill in as their bass
player for the recording of St. Anger so they
could still finish the album, search for a

English: 
of the bass parts on the 2003 album St. Anger
after Jason Newstead left the band!
Bob Rock’s first entry as bass player for
Metallica happened during the recording of
“I Disappear” for Mission Impossible 2,
when Jason didn’t show up for pre-production.
Bob ended up playing bass so the band could
rehearse the song.
Since the song was in the early stages, Bob
filled in so James and Lars could figure out
what they wanted to do with the song musically.
During the tumultuous times during the St.
Anger recording sessions, where Jason left
the band, James was battling his addiction,
and Lars forgot to turn on the snare, the
remaining members of Metallica enlisted the
help of a personal enhancement coach, Phil
Towle, to help them work out decades of personal
problems and internal struggles.
They asked Bob Rock to fill in as their bass
player for the recording of St. Anger so they

English: 
new bass player, and work on themselves emotionally
so when they finally found a bass player,
he wouldn’t be stepping into a hot pile
of steaming shit. Bob was already pulling
double duty as the producer for the album
as well as the bass player until the band
could find a permanent replacement. The band
had to learn to play together again and get
their feet wet by playing live to a small
audience at the Raiders Tailgate in 2003.
In order to play the gig, Bob had to learn
a 40-minute Metallica set where he quickly
learned playing bass live wasn’t that easy.
All Bob had to do was learn all of Cliff and
Jason’s part, sing backup, and not smile
so much while playing with the band.

English: 
could still finish the album, search for a
new bass player, and work on themselves emotionally
so when they finally found a bass player,
he wouldn’t be stepping into a hot pile
of steaming shit.
Bob was already pulling double duty as the
producer for the album as well as the bass
player until the band could find a permanent
replacement.
The band had to learn to play together again
and get their feet wet by playing live to
a small audience at the Raiders Tailgate in
2003.
In order to play the gig, Bob had to learn
a 40-minute Metallica set where he quickly
learned playing bass live wasn’t that easy.
All Bob had to do was learn all of Cliff and
Jason’s part, sing backup, and not smile
so much while playing with the band.
Number 4 Ron McGovney.

English: 
The legendary Cliff Burton is often thought
to be Metallica’s first bassist since he
is featured on all the early recordings.
It was, however, Ron McGovney who first held
down the low end in the band.
Some would consider him the original Metallica
bassist since he appeared on the historic
No Life 'Til Leather demo.
McGovney’s tenure in Metallica was a rough
time in his life since he often clashed with
Lars and Dave Mustaine.
He felt that his primary roll wasn’t a respected
member of the band, but the money person and
transportation provider for the other members.
All the songs that are found on Kill ‘Em
All were written in Ron’s garage and he
played them all during his time in Metallica.
According to Ron, some of the songs off of
Kill ‘Em All were arranged by him, but he
was never credited for anything and he played
at least 28 gigs with Metallica in their first
year.
Ron ultimately quit before the recording of
Kill ‘Em All and was replaced by Cliff Burton.
After leaving Metallica, McGovney became uninterested
in playing music and sold most of his equipment.

English: 
Number 4 Ron McGovney. The legendary Cliff
Burton is often thought to be Metallica’s
first bassist since he is featured on all
the early recordings. It was, however, Ron
McGovney who first held down the low end in
the band. Some would consider him the original
Metallica bassist since he appeared on the
historic No Life 'Til Leather demo. McGovney’s
tenure in Metallica was a rough time in his
life since he often clashed with Lars and
Dave Mustaine. He felt that his primary roll
wasn’t a respected member of the band, but
the money person and transportation provider
for the other members. All the songs that
are found on Kill ‘Em All were written in
Ron’s garage and he played them all during
his time in Metallica. According to Ron, some
of the songs off of Kill ‘Em All were arranged
by him, but he was never credited for anything
and he played at least 28 gigs with Metallica
in their first year. Ron ultimately quit before
the recording of Kill ‘Em All and was replaced
by Cliff Burton. After leaving Metallica,
McGovney became uninterested in playing music

English: 
and sold most of his equipment. Ron reemerged
for the first time in 2011 to play bass for
two songs alongside Metallica during their
30-year celebration. During Metallica’s
induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,
the band flew Ron out to be part of the celebration.
James apologized to Ron for things not going
well in the band and acknowledged that Ron
was a big part of their success. A plaque
talking about No Life 'Til Leather with Ron
and Dave Mustaine’s name on it hangs in
the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. As for Ron,
that is good enough for him and he doesn’t
need anymore.
Number 3 Jason Newsted. Following the passing
of Cliff Burton, Metallica immediately started
auditioning for bass players. The band auditioned
over 50 musicians and Jason was the last in
line and ended up winning the part. To his
advantage, Jason strategically procured the
band’s setlist, studied it, and presented
it to Lars saying he knew all these songs,
much to Lars’ surprise. Two days later,
Jason was in Metallica, but during the darkest

English: 
Ron reemerged for the first time in 2011 to
play bass for two songs alongside Metallica
during their 30-year celebration.
During Metallica’s induction to the Rock
& Roll Hall of Fame, the band flew Ron out
to be part of the celebration.
James apologized to Ron for things not going
well in the band and acknowledged that Ron
was a big part of their success.
A plaque talking about No Life 'Til Leather
with Ron and Dave Mustaine’s name on it
hangs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
As for Ron, that is good enough for him and
he doesn’t need anymore.
Number 3 Jason Newsted.
Following the passing of Cliff Burton, Metallica
immediately started auditioning for bass players.
The band auditioned over 50 musicians and
Jason was the last in line and ended up winning
the part.
To his advantage, Jason strategically procured
the band’s setlist, studied it, and presented
it to Lars saying he knew all these songs,
much to Lars’ surprise.

English: 
period of the band’s history. Jason made
his studio debut on The $5.98 E.P. – Garage
Days Re-Revisited in 1987, which was followed
by his first studio album …And Justice For
All in 1988. His full studio debut was a subject
of controversy and criticism for the lack
of bass present in the album. Jason at first
claimed this was further hazing on the part
of Lars and James, although both Lars and
James claim they were also disappointed with
the production of the album. This is also
the first time the world got to see Metallica
and their new bass player in their very first
music video for the song One. Jason is known
for his bass solo which included parts of
"My Friend of Misery", which Jason had originally
written as an instrumental. On the Black Album,
Jason approached his bass parts differently.

English: 
Two days later, Jason was in Metallica, but
during the darkest period of the band’s
history.
Jason made his studio debut on The $5.98 E.P.
– Garage Days Re-Revisited in 1987, which
was followed by his first studio album …And
Justice For All in 1988.
His full studio debut was a subject of controversy
and criticism for the lack of bass present
in the album.
Jason at first claimed this was further hazing
on the part of Lars and James, although both
Lars and James claim they were also disappointed
with the production of the album.
This is also the first time the world got
to see Metallica and their new bass player
in their very first music video for the song
One.
Jason is known for his bass solo which included
parts of "My Friend of Misery", which Jason
had originally written as an instrumental.
On the Black Album, Jason approached his bass
parts differently.

English: 
He played more with Lars’ kick drum, so
his basslines were more distinct from James’
guitar lines – they were not getting in
each other's way.
Bob really helped them with orchestrating
and bringing out the low end - getting the
guitar and bass to work together.
In fact, when James played the album for a
friend, he asked, "What is that weird low-end
sound?"
He said, "That's something new for us - it's
called bass!"
During his time in Metallica, Newsted also
contributed backing vocals to a number of
Metallica songs.
During tours, he would often sing parts of
"Creeping Death", "Whiplash" and "Seek & Destroy".
Newsted eventually left Metallica in 2001,
which he claimed was due to "private and personal
reasons and the physical damage I have done
to myself over the years while playing the
music that I love."
Though some of that might have been true,
the real reason is because James forbid him
to pursue other musical side projects because
it would take away from the strength of Metallica.

English: 
He played more with Lars’ kick drum, so
his basslines were more distinct from James’
guitar lines – they were not getting in
each other's way. Bob really helped them with
orchestrating and bringing out the low end
- getting the guitar and bass to work together.
In fact, when James played the album for a
friend, he asked, "What is that weird low-end
sound?" He said, "That's something new for
us - it's called bass!" During his time in
Metallica, Newsted also contributed backing
vocals to a number of Metallica songs. During
tours, he would often sing parts of "Creeping
Death", "Whiplash" and "Seek & Destroy". Newsted
eventually left Metallica in 2001, which he
claimed was due to "private and personal reasons
and the physical damage I have done to myself
over the years while playing the music that
I love." Though some of that might have been
true, the real reason is because James forbid
him to pursue other musical side projects
because it would take away from the strength
of Metallica. In Jason’s 14 years with Metallica,
he helped save the band in a moment of great

English: 
In Jason’s 14 years with Metallica, he helped
save the band in a moment of great crisis
and contributed his talents during the most
productive years of the band’s history.
Newsted was resilient and thick-skinned, and
he played great onstage; he was soon embraced
by fans and critics who never imagined anyone
could replace Cliff Burton.
Number 2 Cliff Burton.
Cliff didn’t live long enough to reach his
full potential as a bass player for Metallica
and that’s why he takes our #2 spot.
Just kidding!
You can stop writing the angry comments now!
Number 2 Robert Trujillo.
Born Roberto Agustin Miguel Santiago Samuel
Trujillo Veracruz…well that took up some
watch time minutes, is the current bassist
for Metallica!
Rob replaced Jason in 2003 after an acrimonious
episode in 2001 that was depicted in the 2004
documentary Some Kind of Monster.

English: 
crisis and contributed his talents during
the most productive years of the band’s
history. Newsted was resilient and thick-skinned,
and he played great onstage; he was soon embraced
by fans and critics who never imagined anyone
could replace Cliff Burton.
Number 2 Cliff Burton. Cliff didn’t live
long enough to reach his full potential as
a bass player for Metallica and that’s why
he takes our #2 spot. Just kidding! You can
stop writing the angry comments now!
Number 2 Robert Trujillo. Born Roberto Agustin
Miguel Santiago Samuel Trujillo Veracruz…well
that took up some watch time minutes, is the
current bassist for Metallica! Rob replaced
Jason in 2003 after an acrimonious episode
in 2001 that was depicted in the 2004 documentary

English: 
Some Kind of Monster. Although he is seen
as the newest bass player for Metallica, he
is now the longest serving bass player, longer
than Jason Newsted! With his low-slung playing
style, flamenco influence, and crab like stance,
Metallica found his performance convincing
enough to bring him back for another audition,
and then finally offer him the job. James
said that Rob makes the band play better with
Kirk saying that the songs haven’t been
played that way since Cliff. Although he was
hired during the writing of St. Anger, he
didn’t have any input in the creation of
that album. His official debut wasn’t until
Death Magnetic, which was a long-awaited return
to the band’s thrash roots and victim of
the loudness war with its overly compressed
sound and excessive clipping. James claims
Rob has already contributed more than his
predecessor Jason Newsted did in 14 years.
Lars also revealed that Rob managed to infiltrate
the long-standing Hetfield/Ulrich writing

English: 
Although he is seen as the newest bass player
for Metallica, he is now the longest serving
bass player, longer than Jason Newsted!
With his low-slung playing style, flamenco
influence, and crab like stance, Metallica
found his performance convincing enough to
bring him back for another audition, and then
finally offer him the job.
James said that Rob makes the band play better
with Kirk saying that the songs haven’t
been played that way since Cliff.
Although he was hired during the writing of
St. Anger, he didn’t have any input in the
creation of that album.
His official debut wasn’t until Death Magnetic,
which was a long-awaited return to the band’s
thrash roots and victim of the loudness war
with its overly compressed sound and excessive
clipping.
James claims Rob has already contributed more
than his predecessor Jason Newsted did in
14 years.
Lars also revealed that Rob managed to infiltrate
the long-standing Hetfield/Ulrich writing

English: 
partnership. Rob would spend a lot of time
being the third wheel in the Hetfield/Ulrich
songwriting process, and those two would bounce
ideas off of him and he would come up with
suggestions when they would get stuck. Kirk
is equally complimentary of Rob by saying
that when he looks over at him, and he’s
playing his bass onstage, it feels like he’s
always been there – his chemistry, his personality,
it just all fits really really well. Rob’s
furious and energetic stage presence soon
became a mainstay of Metallica’s stage show,
and it’s remained that way ever since.
Before we get to number 1, remember to subscribe
to All Things Top 5 and ring the bell to be
notified for our latest videos.
Number 1 Cliff Burton. Famous for his bell-bottom
jeans, fuzzed-out-wah-infused bass solos,
and virtuosic technique, Cliff is by far considered
the OG bassist for Metallica. In 1982, Cliff’s
former band Trauma was playing at the Whisky
a Go Go. Among those in attendance was James

English: 
partnership.
Rob would spend a lot of time being the third
wheel in the Hetfield/Ulrich songwriting process,
and those two would bounce ideas off of him
and he would come up with suggestions when
they would get stuck.
Kirk is equally complimentary of Rob by saying
that when he looks over at him, and he’s
playing his bass onstage, it feels like he’s
always been there – his chemistry, his personality,
it just all fits really really well.
Rob’s furious and energetic stage presence
soon became a mainstay of Metallica’s stage
show, and it’s remained that way ever since.
Before we get to number 1, remember to subscribe
to All Things Top 5 and ring the bell to be
notified for our latest videos.
Number 1 Cliff Burton.
Famous for his bell-bottom jeans, fuzzed-out-wah-infused
bass solos, and virtuosic technique, Cliff
is by far considered the OG bassist for Metallica.
In 1982, Cliff’s former band Trauma was
playing at the Whisky a Go Go.

English: 
Among those in attendance was James and Lars.
Upon hearing, as James described it, “this
amazing shredding”, the two went in search
of what they thought was an amazing guitar
player.
When they learned that what they heard was
a bass solo by Cliff, they decided to recruit
him for Metallica to replace Ron McGovney.
Cliff’s debut album was Kill ‘Em All,
which features Cliff’s famous solo piece
“(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth,” which
showcased his use of the wah pedal, not commonly
used by bass guitarists.
Metallica’s second album, Ride the Lightning,
showcased Cliff’s songwriting abilities
and he received credit on 6 of the 8 songs
on the album.
Cliff’s playing style and use of effects
is showcased on two tracks: the chromatic
intro to “For Whom The Bell Tolls” and
the lead bass on “The Call of Ktulu”.

English: 
and Lars. Upon hearing, as James described
it, “this amazing shredding”, the two
went in search of what they thought was an
amazing guitar player. When they learned that
what they heard was a bass solo by Cliff,
they decided to recruit him for Metallica
to replace Ron McGovney. Cliff’s debut album
was Kill ‘Em All, which features Cliff’s
famous solo piece “(Anesthesia) – Pulling
Teeth,” which showcased his use of the wah
pedal, not commonly used by bass guitarists.
Metallica’s second album, Ride the Lightning,
showcased Cliff’s songwriting abilities
and he received credit on 6 of the 8 songs
on the album. Cliff’s playing style and
use of effects is showcased on two tracks:
the chromatic intro to “For Whom The Bell
Tolls” and the lead bass on “The Call

English: 
It’s on this album where Cliff used his
formal training in music and introduced the
band on how to incorporate harmonies and melodies
and how they work together to make a song
more dynamic.
It was with Cliff’s encouragement that the
band released their first acoustic ballad
“Fade To Black”.
Cliff saw that song as a step forward in
the band’s direction.
Metallica’s third album, Master of Puppets,
featured lead bass on the instrumental “Orion”
and is considered as Cliff’s swan song.
The bass swells and harmonies on Damage, Inc
were based on a Bach piece called “Come,
Sweet Death” and is an example of his diverse
taste in music and musical training.
Although Cliff died after the recording of
Master of Puppets in a tragic bus accident
during the Damage Incorporated Tour, he did
receive writing credit for the lyrics and

English: 
of Ktulu”. It’s on this album where Cliff
used his formal training in music and introduced
the band on how to incorporate harmonies and
melodies and how they work together to make
a song more dynamic. It was with Cliff’s
encouragement that the band released their
first acoustic ballad “Fade To Black”.
Cliff saw that song as a step forward in
the band’s direction. Metallica’s third
album, Master of Puppets, featured lead bass
on the instrumental “Orion” and is considered
as Cliff’s swan song. The bass swells and
harmonies on Damage, Inc were based on a Bach
piece called “Come, Sweet Death” and is
an example of his diverse taste in music and
musical training. Although Cliff died after
the recording of Master of Puppets in a tragic
bus accident during the Damage Incorporated
Tour, he did receive writing credit for the
lyrics and bass parts for the song “To Live

English: 
Is To Die” off the album …And Justice
for All. The bass parts were taken from unused
bass recordings done by Cliff, which were
re-recorded by Jason Newsted. In 2009, Cliff
was posthumously inducted into the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame. Though Cliff’s contribution
to Metallica was brief, the first 3 Metallica
albums serve as a template for all music within
that genre!
Do you agree or disagree with our list? Does
Bob Rock count as a bassist for Metallica?
Comment below and watch our other videos and
subscribe to All Things Top 5.

English: 
bass parts for the song “To Live Is To Die”
off the album …And Justice for All.
The bass parts were taken from unused bass
recordings done by Cliff, which were re-recorded
by Jason Newsted.
In 2009, Cliff was posthumously inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Though Cliff’s contribution to Metallica
was brief, the first 3 Metallica albums serve
as a template for all music within that genre!
Do you agree or disagree with our list?
Does Bob Rock count as a bassist for Metallica?
Comment below and watch our other videos and
subscribe to All Things Top 5.
