Metallica's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was a big night for heavy metal as a whole, but the larger-than-life event had James Hetfield feeling "inadequate."
Metallica were inducted into the Rock Hall in 2009, becoming only the second metal band (after Black Sabbath) to receive the honor. When it was time for Metallica to perform at their ceremony, they were joined onstage by Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, the Rolling Stones' Ron Wood, Aerosmith's Joe Perry and guitar icon Jeff Beck. The collection of rock gods left Hetfield feeling intimidated, as he admitted in a new interview.
"I felt so inadequate," Hetfield told Cigar Aficionado, as transcribed by Anti Music. "And it's a head game for me. I'm a perfectionist. And kind of a people pleaser. Most musicians are insecure."
Hetfield used his 2009 induction speech to advocate for other hard-rock and heavy-metal acts to be considered by the Hall of Fame. He named Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Rush, KISS, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Motörhead as worthy contenders. In the years since, Rush, Alice Cooper, KISS, Deep Purple and Judas Priest have all been inducted.
