The moment James switches from unsecure nervous to "fuck this shit let's break this place up" is probably one of the most historical moments in metal. Not because it's Metallica, but because it is the first time a metal band showed the real energy and a standing point to a wider audience which was, at that time, used to shinny-smiling-happy-hippy pop-rock bands. They showed them that it is not about the stage, it is not about the lightning, it is not about the smile on the face, it is not about shiny clothes, it is not about the movement on the stage or dance - it is just about unleashing the pure energy into the crowd, without any distractions.
I think it was a wise warm up. They had to build up these people to this epicness! Every musician understands that you need to prepare people for the real thing. If they just came in and started rocking like that, some people may have ran out.
@@JackFate76 maybe... But these 4 guys can show up anywhere anytime... At a bar.. in somebody's garage..and entertain... If Britney doesn't have a shit ton of support from auto tune...backing tracks...dancers..lip syncing.. she is just a hot chick.. as with most pop music. I could be wrong but I don't remember Brittany ever sitting down with an acoustic Guitar player and doing an unplugged set. Again... As with most pop music she is manufactured. Pretty sure she didn't spend yearsIs going from club to club.... Sweating it out To make a name for herself. All music can be called acts.. Some or genuine.... A lot is fake garbage.
Are missed for you and 35 others, Trujillo was the missing link after Burton died and not Jason, sorry buddy but I NEVER liked Jason. Trujillo is badass for Metallica! Rip Cliff you made Metallica.
@@laudreport3798 it's one comment on one video out of tens of thousands. The number of likes I got doesn't represent the Metallica masses in any way. You're in the minority bud.
@@the6ig6adwolf I don't think so homie, you and the very few are obsessed with Jason. I actually understand why he was hazed so badly (Not a good thing, but hey)
Rod Stewart was doing hard rock over 20 years before this. The Jeff Beck Group was as hard as hard as hard got in their time. "Spanish Boots", "Plynth", and especially "Rice Pudding" were templates of what was to come.
To come out at the Grammys and play this song back then is insane. No metal band had ever taken it that far.. thats why metallica is the greatest fucking hard rock/metal band of all time
@@Adam_Aiman true enough, this was the first time an extreme amount of people were introduced to metal as a music genre, so they may have thought THIS was extreme
Even more impressive when you think about the trio of Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets and And Justice... albums. Specially the complex song structures, riffs and everything.
I cannot express how *MONUMENTAL* this moment was for metal back in 1989. This was the first time metal (not poppy hair bands) was given the stage at the Grammys. All of us teen boys in our black t-shirts and leather jackets were poised in front of the TV, across the country, to see this moment. It was eerie. Hoping for the best. At first James seemed nervous - out of place - and it felt cringey. This was a stuffy room full of the pop industry in tuxedos and dresses. Sitting there likely smirking at 'how did they let this grubby filth in here' . The paradox was palpable. But things started to pick up... First glimmer of hope: "Cut this shit out from me" James didn't censor the lyric, and the network didn't bleep it ! Okayyyy... I remember my heart started beating faster. The boys were getting into the groove now. Fuck it. THEE Moment of Ownage: While the boys were hammering it out, something literally changed. I still tear up a little seeing it, because watching it above, it still is as clear as day for me, 30 years later... around 3:09 , coming out of the first solo, James catches a glimpse of the crane camera in the corner of his eye... at first you can see him catch it... then something changes... he then LOCKS EYES with it. After not paying attention to the cameras (or even looking up at the snooty audience), suddenly James seems to have a moment of clarity. He's looking at US. The fans at home! Completely breaks the fourth wall. I swear to god, you could feel it. Then he seems to just say "FUCK THIS SHIT - LET's DO THIS" with a distinct shake of his fist at US. Us at home. At this point I the band just lets go, and goes into beast mode. Fuck the industry. Fuck this fancy ass audience. We're doing this for the guys at home. And what you witness from this point is Metallica as real as if they were at their own gig in front of us. They take out the rest of the song with absolute guts and blood... and James now looks straight at the audience. No more looking at the floor. Oh. My. Living. Fuck. You cannot believe what it felt like that night.
Epic comment. As a new fan and lover of history, I love hearing from people who actually lived through an era, rather than having to read about it like myself. What do you think of them now after so many years?
Yep. I was literally pouring sweat watching it as I had an idea of what an epic moment this was... I knew they wouldn't win, but I just wanted them to crush it and they sure did!!! I'll never forget it. Ever.
James quit worrying about his vocal chords for three minutes, and Jason decided the musical gallumphing he heard at the beginning was not cutting it. They didn't show him much, but Jason got mad.
It just goes to show at that time the ignorance and disrespect of the music industry towards heavy metal. You can bet that Metallica was laughing all the way to the bank the next time they were nominated and won with the Black Album. Metallica didn’t even need to win this because they were already mighty and just blew the roof off the place. I mean for them to take Jethro Tull over not only Metallica but AC/DC? Really?!
@@Rex-Karlsonnah, robs a cool dude and all but he does not have the presence that Jason had. Every other era if metallica had people singing James's praises for his voice, but when Jason was in the band he damn near over shadows James.
I remember watching this with my dad. I was 17. He was an advertising exec in NYC. So he automatically had a radar for potential trends. And I distinctly remember him talking about how this was a very different and passionate type of music and how kids were fed up with what he called the “Day Glo Reagan happy ass era” and he said something like “this band is going to be the biggest band in the world”. I didn’t think that was possible for them because they were just Metallica and they were anything but contemporary at the time. But my dad got it 100% right about Metallica. Rest In Peace Pops.
@@Andrew-se6ee Cool. Thanks! He was born in 1930 but was a really open minded cat and he loved music. He occasionally borrowed some of my Motley Crue and Iron Maiden albums or whatever I was listening too. He was genuinely curious about the music young people were making and I think he dug the energy of metal. He also supported my goal of being a touring musician and so I am. Peace!
@Cole Young Yeah, but Metallica isn't what they were back in the day. To quote Trent Reznor, "I'm not the same person I was 20 years ago, and I'm happy to not be that person." The angry, drug abusing young men that made the best of Metallica are now rich, successful businessmen with families.
@@dewilew2137 Put that outrage back in your purse son. If you learn to read, nowhere in my comment did I say they should be the same as 20 years ago. They aren't, neither am I. It happens. In fact, I congratulate them for being able to get past the personal problems of their youth to become the family men they are today. Lots of musicians and other performers can't, that's why you hear all the stories of famous people dying young or destroying their life with drugs.
It's already been mentioned a thousand times, but James' transition at 3.09 shows what it takes to be the "frontman" in a band, you can see him hyping up the whole band, and suddenly everyone gets their shit together, sound gets tight, and then the Jason's "darkness" punctuates everything
this is so iconic. The fact that they didnt win makes it even more so. It is an 'us Vs the rest' kind of moment. It is a 'fuck it, lets jam as fuckin hard as we can' moment. Who cares about a grammy. This moment will live in our collective mind forever. Worth all the grammies in the world. That huddle at the bridge: goosebumps
You can see the exact moment when James decides he’s not going to be a legend for just his fans but a legend for the world. Long live Metallica. Oh and Jason is the best this band ever could have had after Cliff passed away.
I remember watching this live with my friends and when James first started singing all of were like, "uh oh, James is nervous". This is hardly their best performance (I saw Metallica live with Cliff and Jason for the Justice tour), but Jason is the MVP in this one and I think his "fuck it" attitude snapped the band out of their nervs. Starts off rough, but ends with a bang.
I was 10 years old. I asked my dad if I could stay up for this grammy. He said "sure, whatever". The most memorable moment on TV... happened in this video....and my hard nosed dad said.. "that was much better than I thought it would be
at around 2:33 u can see their attitude change and instantly the vibe changes and goes to a much more jam session like attitude and it really improved them for the better in this performance.
It may be controversial but Jason was a better complimentary bassist than Cliff. Of course, Cliff was a better soloist and helped with song arrangements.
The exact moment when god gave them everything they wanted and worked for . It didn’t matter what they did before this in all of their lives . It was showing up at this exact moment that made Metallica the biggest metal band to ever exist . The very next thing they did was release the black album to cement that further and become all time legends . Just amazing to see the moment someone else had a breakthrough .
the official moment heavy metal was born, metalliica blew people away with this performance, first time most people had seen anything like it, then they pick jethro tull, legendary moment for heavy metal fans and another example of how little the grammy's matter.
Old School Metallica rocked and I was fortunate to see them live with Cliff Burton after the Master of Puppets album was released in 1986, they were the opening band for Ozzy Osborne on The Utimate Sin Tour!
I remeber watching this at my GF's when i was 16. Man, this brings me back. If i coulda envisioned the 2020's thus far, I'd have squeezed every second out of the days back then.
When the drums kick in at 3:13 is the moment when you turn the song up in your car. And the closest that a set of drums will ever get to sounding like automatic weapons fire is at 3:57.
I became a Metallica fan the first time I saw the video for One back when it was first played on MTV. I remember whenever after it played, the DJ would always say and now for something a little lighter. I don't know how tonight is the first time I ever saw this performance. This is so epic.
I watched this on live TV and my jaw hit the floor. I was 17 and couldn't believe they let loose in that venue with that crowd. I was blown away. That was the 1st time I had seen them live and they were incredible.
This video reminds of not just how monumentally kickass Metallica is, but what a treasure we all had in Newsted. Also, goddamn, Billy Crystal is funny.
I sooooooo miss Jason newsted, he brought a different vibe and energy that was only matched by cliff. No disrespect to rob but I love metallica with Jason the most, glad I got to see him perform with metallica. Also I think not winning the Grammy made them even more popular love the vocals in this version
The world wasnt ready for Metallica yet until this iconic performance broke the barrier! Jason backing up James like saying “cmon man dont be nervous, we got this” will never be forgot by us true Metallica fans. This was actually a pretty quiet performance for Metallica if you know how they played back then. I was surprised to hear James say, “cut this shit off from me” on national tv, just like he did in concert and even more surprised The Grammys didnt bleep it. What a fookin historical landmark for metal was made tgat night. You wont see that happen ever again.
