Metallica, the iconic heavy metal band that has shaped the music landscape for decades, stands out not only for their remarkable talent but also for their unwavering dedication to recognizing and honoring those who have contributed to their success. One individual whose name might have slipped under the radar if not for Metallica’s acknowledgment is Ron McGovney, the band’s original bass player.
As reported by Ultimate Guitar, McGovney, a pivotal figure during the time when Metallica included Dave Mustaine as well, played a significant role in the band’s early years. Although he departed before Mustaine’s eventual departure, McGovney bore witness to both the triumphs and tribulations of their time together.
In a recent series of social media posts, Ron McGovney expressed his admiration for Mustaine’s exceptional musical prowess during their shared tenure. McGovney took to Twitter, capturing the attention of fans and industry insiders alike, to highlight the immense talent that Mustaine possessed even in those formative years. His words shed light on an often-overlooked chapter in Metallica’s history.
Ron kicked it off on social media by stating: “‘No Life ‘Til Leather’ still is the best metal demo ever. Dave Mustaine just kills it on this tape. He leaves the rest of us in the dust. I am just listening to it for the first time in 10 years. Wow!”
This garnered emotive reactions from those seeing it in their feed, but Ron wasn’t done just yet with praising Dave.
He went on: “Roger… I am not talking bad about James and Lars or even me for that matter. Dave was just so far ahead of us as musicians at that point. I have a huge amount of respect for James, Lars, and Dave for what they have accomplished in the music industry.”
We have to agree. Dave Mustaine was really ahead of the band back then. I think now, Metallica has caught up and are now the better band, but back then, Mustaine was for sure the most expert of everyone.
Roger….I am not talking bad about James and Lars or even me for that matter. Dave was just so far ahead of us as musicians at that point. I have a huge amount of respect for James , Lars , and Dave for what they have accomplished in the music industry.
— Ron McGovney (@RonMcGovney) May 29, 2023
