In an article recently published by Metal HammerJohn Bush returns to the famous anecdote according to which he could have become the Metallica singer in the early 1980s. Words extracted from old interviews resurfaced, bringing fascinating light on this key moment in the history of metal.
“It was not my destiny” : John Bush returns to Metallica’s offer
While Metallica was still only a local group in Los Angeles at the turn of 1982 and 1983, James Hetfield doubted his vocal capacities. The idea of recruiting a new singer then emerged, to allow him to focus on the guitar. The name of John Bush, then singer of Armored Saint, was seriously envisaged.
In the article of Metal Hammerwe learn that Lars Ulrich and their first manager Jon Zazula had been impressed by Bush, whose group was starting to make a name for itself on the Californian scene. However, despite the honor, Bush declined the offer: “Metallica was still a local group. It made no sense for me to say: ‘I’m going, I’m going to join them’, when I was happy in my group and everything was going well.”
He adds, lucid: “I was flattered, of course. But I explained why I wanted to stay with Armored Saint and said: ‘Thank you very much. It’s a huge compliment, but I’m going to stay with my group.” “
With hindsight, no regrets for John Bush
Asked again about this story in 2017, Bush reaffirmed its position with serenity: “I never regret. I don’t think it was my destiny to be in Metallica. It’s as simple as that. I don’t think anyone other than James must be Metallica’s voice.”
In a previous interview with Waste Some Time With Jason Green (relayed by Metal), he already confided: “I will always be very flattered by the fact that I was asked to join Metallica. But it was not my destiny, as I say all the time.”
Ironically, Bush still had the opportunity to go on stage with Metallica, in December 2011, during an exceptional concert organized for the group’s 30th anniversary at the San Francisco Fillmore. He interpreted there The Four Horsemen et Seek And Destroy Alongside his former contenders.
A story of parallel trajectories
Despite a discography welcomed by criticism, Armored Saint has never had the same success as Metallica. The group separated in 1992, when Bush joined Anthrax, another project initiated by Jon Zazula. He will leave Anthrax in 2005 after having reinstated Armored Saint in 1999.
In retrospective, Bush prefers to focus on the path he has really taken: “We’re talking about a guy who has incredibly evolved as a singer. It’s James Hetfield… everything is said.”
Her story with Metallica, although indirect, remains a fascinating play of the Heavy Metal puzzle from the 80s. And for John Bush, she is above all synonymous with respect and loyalty to her own choices.
