METALLICA have posted tributes to the man who “took a chance” on them many years ago, Megaforce Records founder Jon “Jonny Z” Zazula.
Zazula died yesterday (Tuesday, February 1) surrounded by family. He had been suffering from the neuropathic disorder chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and osteopenia, according to the family.
METALLICA released a statement in honor of Zazula shortly after the news of his death, which read: “Heavy music lost one of its great champions today when Jonny Z left this world far too soon.
“In 1982, when no one wanted to take a chance on four kids from California playing a crazy brand of metal, Jonny and Marsha did, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“He was a mentor, a manager, a label head and a father figure to us all … METALLICA would not be who we are or where we are today without Jon Zazula and his wife, Marsha.
“Our love and sympathy go out to Jonny’s children and his grandchildren, whom he cherished and brought to our shows from the time they were in diapers.
“We hope they will be able to take some comfort in knowing that he is reunited with Marsha, and that he helped bring so much incredible music to so many.”
“Hopefully there’s a great show goin’ on up there tonight to welcome you! We’ll miss you Jonny”.
In a separate statement, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich said: “Thank you Jonny for taking a chance on these crazy, noisy, uncompromising and undisciplined dudes from NorCal who didn’t know what was up, down or sideways, but who were ready, willing and more than able to fuckin throw it all to the wind and go for it.. Thank you for giving us a sense of belonging and ultimately, a sense of self-worth. I will forever be grateful for your friendship, advice and blind belief that the music we played could be shared with way more people who were just like us…outsiders and misfits!
“Rest In Peace my friend.”
METALLICA frontman James Hetfield stated: “God rest your soul Jonny. My heart is full of gratitude for taking a chance on me and my bandmates.”
Jon “Jonny Z” Zazula was 69 years old.
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