Ron McGovney

Ron McGovney
Birth name	Ronald McGovney
Born	(1962-11-02) November 2, 1962 Los Angeles, California
Genres	Heavy metal, thrash metal, speed metal
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Bass, guitar, vocals
Years active	1981–82, 1986–88
Associated acts	Leather Charm, Metallica, Phantasm

Ronald "Ron" McGovney (born November 2, 1962, Los Angeles, California) is a semi-retired American musician, best known as the original bassist in the heavy metal band Metallica.

Having previously played with guitarist James Hetfield in the garage band Leather Charm, McGovney was a member of Metallica during its first year of gigging and appeared on their early demos before departing late in 1982. After a period of inactivity, he later played in the thrash metal band Phantasm.

Musical career

Leather Charm and Metallica

Main articles: Leather Charm and Metallica

In June 1981, McGovney formed his first band, Leather Charm, with his childhood friend Hetfield and guitarist Hugh Tanner of Hetfield's previous band, Phantom Lord. Tanner soon left Leather Charm to pursue a career in music management; the subsequent lineup 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 and drummer Lars Ulrich established their new project, Metallica, late in 1981. With the addition of McGovney and guitarist Dave Mustaine early the next year, the first gigging lineup of the band was completed. After their debut performance on March 14, the band spent 1982 accruing a local following in the Los Angeles heavy metal scene. They recorded several demos during this time, including one recorded in McGovney's garage, the Power Metal demo, and the live No Life 'Til Leather. A recording of the song "Hit the Lights" with McGovney playing bass was featured on a repressing of the Metal Massacre Vol. 1 album.

McGovney's time in 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 10 due to growing tensions, and was replaced by Cliff Burton. After leaving Metallica, McGovney became disillusioned with playing music and sold most of his equipment.

Phantasm

Main article: Phantasm (band)

In 1986, Hirax vocalist Katon W. De Pena persuaded McGovney to return to music. 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, the 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.

Later activity

McGovney ceased his professional career after the demise of Phantasm, but gave sporadic interviews and appeared at Metallica-related events. Phantasm discussed a possible reunion in 2007, but this ultimately failed to materialize.

He performed publicly for the first time in 23 years on December 10, 2011, playing two songs onstage with Metallica, Mustaine, and early studio guitarist Lloyd Grant at The Fillmore as a part of the celebrations surrounding the end of the group's third decade. Two years later, he joined Mustaine's band Megadeth onstage in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 5, 2013, sharing the lead vocal on a cover version of Thin Lizzy's "Cold Sweat".

External links

• Official Metallica page
• Phantasm at the Encyclopedia Metallum

Preceded by Original

Metallica bassist 1981–1982

Succeeded by Cliff Burton