Ron McGovney
Encyclopedia
Ron McGovney is a former American musician, best known as the original bassist
in the heavy metal band Metallica
.
and guitarist Hugh Tanner of Hetfield's previous band, Phantom Lord. Tanner left Leather Charm to pursue a career in music management, and the subsequent lineup of the group featured guitarist Troy James and drummer Jim Mulligan. The group rehearsed a set of New Wave of British Heavy Metal
covers and original material for a period of months, but Mulligan's departure later that year led to the band's demise.
Hetfield next began Metallica, a new project with drummer Lars Ulrich
, late in 1981. With the addition of McGovney and guitarist Dave Mustaine
early the next year, the first gigging lineup of the band was complete. After their first performance on March 14, the band spent 1982 accruing a local following in the Los Angeles
heavy metal scene. The group recorded several demos
during this time, including one from his own garage, Power Metal, and most notably the live No Life 'Til Leather. A recording of "Hit The Lights" with McGovney playing bass was featured on a repressing of the Metal Massacre Vol. 1 album.
McGovney's time with Metallica was reportedly tumultuous, as he often clashed with Ulrich and Mustaine. He felt his role was that of monetary and transportation provider, rather than a respected member of the band. He ultimately quit on December 12, 1982 due to these growing tensions, and was replaced by Cliff Burton
. After leaving Metallica, McGovney became disillusioned with playing music and sold most of his equipment.
vocalist Katon W. De Pena, and the two formed the thrash metal band Phantasm with guitarist Rodney Nicholson and several other musicians, briefly including Dark Angel
drummer Gene Hoglan
. Phantasm released a demo but never recorded a proper album, and disbanded in 1988 due to disagreements between members. In 2001, thrash label Deep Six Records released the Wreckage CD, packaging a remastered version of the band's demo of the same name with a live set from 1987.
descent. He has two sons, Justin and Tyler, who both share the same musical interest as their father, and a daughter, Jordann. He is currently a High School teacher and resides in Marion, North Carolina
.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
in the heavy metal band Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
.
Leather Charm and Metallica
In June 1982, McGovney formed his first band, Leather Charm, with his childhood friend and roommate James HetfieldJames Hetfield
James Alan Hetfield is the rhythm guitarist, co-founder, main songwriter, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler,...
and guitarist Hugh Tanner of Hetfield's previous band, Phantom Lord. Tanner left Leather Charm to pursue a career in music management, and the subsequent lineup of the group featured guitarist Troy James and drummer Jim Mulligan. The group rehearsed a set of New Wave of British Heavy Metal
New Wave of British Heavy Metal
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black...
covers and original material for a period of months, but Mulligan's departure later that year led to the band's demise.
Hetfield next began Metallica, a new project with drummer Lars Ulrich
Lars Ulrich
Lars Ulrich is a Danish drummer, and one of the founding members of the American thrash metal band Metallica. He was born in Gentofte, Denmark to an upper-middle class family. A tennis player in his youth, Ulrich moved to Los Angeles, California at age sixteen to pursue his training; though rather...
, late in 1981. With the addition of McGovney and guitarist Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
early the next year, the first gigging lineup of the band was complete. After their first performance on March 14, the band spent 1982 accruing a local following in the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
heavy metal scene. The group recorded several demos
Metallica demos
The American heavy metal band Metallica recorded several demos throughout their career.-Ron McGovney's '82 Garage demo:Ron McGovney's '82 Garage demo is a demo tape that was never officially released, but the tape found wide circulation in full and partial versions. The demo contains two original...
during this time, including one from his own garage, Power Metal, and most notably the live No Life 'Til Leather. A recording of "Hit The Lights" with McGovney playing bass was featured on a repressing of the Metal Massacre Vol. 1 album.
McGovney's time with Metallica was reportedly tumultuous, as he often clashed with Ulrich and Mustaine. He felt his role was that of monetary and transportation provider, rather than a respected member of the band. He ultimately quit on December 12, 1982 due to these growing tensions, and was replaced by Cliff Burton
Cliff Burton
Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton was an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band Metallica....
. After leaving Metallica, McGovney became disillusioned with playing music and sold most of his equipment.
Phantasm
In 1986, McGovney was persuaded to return to performing by HiraxHirax
Hirax is an American thrash metal band from Cypress, California. Starting in 1984 under the leadership of vocalist Katon W. De Pena , the band played in Los Angeles and San Francisco with the other new thrash metal bands of the area such as Metallica, Exodus, and Slayer...
vocalist Katon W. De Pena, and the two formed the thrash metal band Phantasm with guitarist Rodney Nicholson and several other musicians, briefly including Dark Angel
Dark Angel (band)
Dark Angel was an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Their over-the-top style earned them the nickname "the L.A...
drummer Gene Hoglan
Gene Hoglan
Eugene "Gene" Victor Hoglan II is an American drummer. He is acclaimed for his creativity in drum arrangements, including usage of odd devices for percussion effects and his trademark lengthy double-kick drum rhythms...
. Phantasm released a demo but never recorded a proper album, and disbanded in 1988 due to disagreements between members. In 2001, thrash label Deep Six Records released the Wreckage CD, packaging a remastered version of the band's demo of the same name with a live set from 1987.
Personal life
McGovney is of ScottishScottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
descent. He has two sons, Justin and Tyler, who both share the same musical interest as their father, and a daughter, Jordann. He is currently a High School teacher and resides in Marion, North Carolina
Marion, North Carolina
Marion is a city in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,943 at the 2008 estimated census. It is the county seat of McDowell County.-Geography:Marion is located at ....
.
External links
- Official Metallica page
- Phantasm at the Encyclopedia Metallum