ABOUT THE AUTHORS
JON WIEDERHORN is a veteran rock journalist who has worked on editorial staffs at Rolling Stone, Guitar magazine, and MTV. He is a senior writer for Revolver magazine and regularly writes for major publications including Guitar World, emusic.com, and SPIN. His work has also appeared in Entertainment Weekly, Stuff, FHM, TV Guide, Metal Hammer, Raygun, RIP, Alternative Press, Raw, and Cosmopolitan. Jon lives in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, down the street from the once legendary but now defunct metal club L’Amour. One of his proudest moments came when he was admonished by his then eight-year-old son’s schoolteacher because the boy came into class singing “Highway to Hell.”
KATHERINE TURMAN is the producer of Alice Cooper’s nightly syndicated radio show, Nights with Alice Cooper. Her writing has appeared in publications including the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, Mother Jones, Village Voice, SPIN, Billboard, Marie Claire, Guitar World, Metal Hammer, Raygun, and Daily Variety. She was the editor of RIP magazine and the LA Alternative Press; she formerly produced the live radio show Rockline, and was a music producer for TV’s The Sharon Osbourne Show. A Los Angeles native, Katherine now lives in Brooklyn.
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PRAISE FOR
LOUDER THAN HELL
“Jon Wiederhorn and Katherine Turman know metal. Louder Than Hell is an amazing gathering of different breeds of heavy metal rockers telling the tales metal fans want to hear.”
—Tom Morello, Rage Against the Machine
“A fascinating, high-octane chronicle of metal mayhem that takes readers on a wild ride, from metal’s earliest days to the head-banging present. I’m not saying this just because I’m in the book, but . . . if you love metal, great stories, and music history told by the people who made it, then Louder Than Hell is a must-read. This is the book every metal fan should own.”
—Alice Cooper
“Louder Than Hell is a love letter to the misunderstood genre of heavy metal music, written by trusted companions who had a front-row seat on the devil’s roller coaster. The definitive chronological testimony by the people who were there, including some who are no longer with us.”
—Mark McGrath, Sugar Ray; cohost of Extra
“Louder Than Hell comes straight from the twisted minds of rock icons and flows seamlessly through various eras of heavy metal. You hear from the guys that were there on the stage, in the pit, puking in the gutter. It brought back memories, and I even learned a few things I never knew. I really dig this book.”
—Riki Rachtman
“This is the best oral history I’ve read since Please Kill Me. Louder Than Hell is the first book that really delivers the brutal truth from the mouths of the artists and key players themselves! I couldn’t put it down.”
—Matt Pinfield
“An amazingly comprehensive book on all eras and genres of hard rock and heavy metal. The stories and attention to detail make it an instant must for anyone who ever was or is a fan.”
—Eddie Trunk, DJ and host of That Metal Show on VH1 Classic
“We all know reading is NOT cool. I’ve said thousands of times that reading ‘totally sucks.’ But this book does indeed not suck. Books on the history of even something as cool as metal can be a bit antiseptic and boring—not this one. It’s the story straight from the horse’s mouth. Even better is when the horses have experimented with drugs and black out occasionally.”
—Brendon Small, Dethklok
“Who likes rock and roll here?? Well, if you do, this is the book for you! Every rock has been overturned, every band has been analyzed, quoted, and lionized, and every page offers a new fact or figure that you probably didn’t know. This is the definitive chronicle of all that is heavy metal, and I’ve read them all!”
—Chris Jericho, Fozzy
CREDITS
The pagination of this electronic edition does not match the edition from which i was made. To locate a specific passage, please use the search feature on your e-book reader.
Prologue: Heavy Metal Thunder
William Burroughs, p. 1, from Burroughs Live: The Collected Interviews of William S. Burroughs, 1960-1997 by William Burroughs and Sylvere Lotringer, Semiotext(e), MIT Press, p. 72
Mars Bonfire, p. 2, from Heavy Metal: The Music And Its Culture, Revised Edition, by Deena Weinstein, Da Capo Press, 2000, p. 19
Barry Gifford, p. 2, from interview with Anne B. Killheffer, property of interviewer
Bob Lefsetz, p. 4, from “The Last in Line” by Bob Lefsetz, The Lefsetz Letter: First in Music Analysis, lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2010/05/19/the-last-in-line/
Gene Simmons, p. 4, from “Your Letters,” Genesimmons.com, www.genesimmons.com/fanstories/letters7/index609.html
Kick Out the Jams: Proto Metal, 1964–1970
Jimmy Page, p. 8, from “Heavy Friends” by Brad Tolinski, Guitar World Presents Guitar Legends, March 2004 (p. 57)
Ritchie Blackmore, p. 9, interview by Jeff Perlah, property of interviewer
Iggy Pop, p. 11, from “Naughty Little Doggie” by Jennifer Clay, RIP magazine, April 1996
Iggy Pop, p. 12, ibid
Iggy Pop, p. 13, ibid
Ritchie Blackmore, p. 16, interview by Jeff Perlah, property of interviewer
Jimmy Page, p. 18, from “The Greatest Show on Earth” by Brad Tolinski, Guitar World Presents Guitar Legends, March 2004 (p. 72)
Richard Cole, p. 18, from Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga by Stephen Davis, Harper Collins, p. 87
Iggy Pop, p 19, from “Naughty Little Doggie” by Jennifer Clay, RIP magazine, April 1996
Jimmy Page, p. 20, from “The Greatest Show on Earth” by Brad Tolinski, Guitar World Presents Guitar Legends, March 2004 (p. 75)
Ritchie Blackmore, p. 23, from interview by Jeff Perlah, property of interviewer
Jimmy Page, p. 24, from “The Greatest Show on Earth” by Brad Tolinski, Guitar World Presents Guitar Legends, March 2004 (p. 75)
Masters of Reality: Sabbath, Priest, and Beyond, 1970–1979
Sharon Osbourne, p. 31, from “Against All Ozz: Ozzy Osbourne Bites Back” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Nov. 1998, p. 48
Tony Iommi, p. 33, from Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven & Hell With Black Sabbath by Tony Iommi with TJ Lammers, Da Capo Press, 2011, p. 22
Ozzy Osbourne, p. 39, from “Against All Ozz: Ozzy Osbourne Bites Back” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Nov. 1998, p. 47
Paul Stanley, p. 50, from Kissology, Vol. 1: 1974-1977 Starring Kiss, 2006
Gene Simmons, p. 52, from Kissology, Vol. 1: 1974-1977 Starring Kiss, 2006.
Gene Simmons, p. 53, ibid
Gene Simmons, p. 57, from Kiss and Make-Up by Gene Simmons, Crown, 2001, p. 4
Ace Frehley, p. 59, from interview with Jeff Kitts, property of interviewer
Gene Simmons, p. 59, from Kissology, Vol. 1: 1974-1977 Starring Kiss, 2006
Gene Simmons, p. 60, ibid
Gene Simmons, p. 60, from Kiss and Make-Up by Gene Simmons, Crown, 2001, p. 130
Dave Evans, p. 61, from AC/DC High-Voltage Rock ’N’ Roll: The Illustrated History by Phil Sutcliffe, Voyageur Press, 2010, p. 31
Angus Young, p. 62, from Highway to Hell: The Life and Death of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott by Clinton Walker, Verse Chorus Press, 1994, p. 127
Malcolm Young, p. 62, from “AC/DC Celebrate their Quarter Century” by Sylvie Simmons, Mojo Magazine
Peter Criss, p. 70, from “Peter Criss” by Gary James, Famousinterview.com, www.famousinterview.ca/interviews/peter_criss_2.htm
Gene Simmons, p. 70, from Kiss and Make-Up by Gene Simmons, Crown, 2001, p. 139
Ace Frehley, p. 70, interview by Jeff Kitts, property of interviewer
Alistair Kinnear, p. 71, from “Alistair Kinnear’s recollection of 19th February 1980” by Alistair Kinnear, “Metal Hammer and Classic Rock Present AC/DC Special,” 2005
Angus Young, p. 72, from “Brian: The Baptism of Fire” by Mi
chel Rémy, Let There Be Light, 1994
Phil Rudd, p. 72, from AC/DC High-Voltage Rock ’N’ Roll: The Illustrated History by Phil Sutcliffe, Voyageur Press, 2010, p. 94
British Steel: New Wave of British Heavy Metal Shapes the Future, 1980–present
Ozzy Osbourne, p. 83, from “Against All Ozz: Ozzy Osbourne Bites Back” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Nov. 1998, p. 48
Sharon Osbourne, p. 84, from “Against All Ozz: Ozzy Osbourne Bites Back” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Nov. 1998, p. 48
David Fricke, p. 86, from “AC/DC Back in Black” review by David Fricke, Rolling Stone, July 1980
Steve Harris, p. 90, interview by Mick Wall, property of interviewer
Dave Murray, p. 91, ibid
Steve Harris, p. 91, ibid
Neil Kay, p. 92, ibid
Geoff Barton, p. 94, ibid
Jackie Chambers, p. 99, interview by Ray Van Horn, property of interviewer.
Martin Birch, p. 101, ibid
Adrian Smith, p. 102, ibid
Steve Harris, p. 102, ibid
Glenn Danzig, p. 110, from “Danzig: Mother’s Finest” by Katherine Turman, Rip magazine, Sept. 1994, p. 45
Phil Caivano, p.111, from “Pussy Magnet” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Aug. 1999, p. 62
Phil Caivano, p. 112, ibid
Dave Wyndorf, p. 116, from “Dave Ling’s Diary” by Dave Ling, Dave Ling Online, July 2007, www.daveling.co.uk/diaryjuly07.htm
Youth Gone Wild: Metal Goes Mainstream, 1978–1992
Eddie Van Halen, p. 122, from “Van Halen Family Values” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Sept. 1998, p. 126
Kevin DuBrow, p. 123, interview by Ray Van Horn, property of interviewer
Kevin DuBrow, p. 124, from “Van Halen Family Values” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Sept. 1998, p. 127
Eddie Van Halen, p. 124, ibid
Kevin DuBrow, p. 125, ibid
Kevin DuBrow, p. 130, ibid
Jake E. Lee, p. 135, from “How to Succeed Without Really Whammying” by Steven Rosen, Guitar World, Nov. 1986
Kevin DuBrow, p. 146, interview by Ray Van Horn, property of interviewer
Randy Rhoads, p. 147, from “Randy Rhoads: A Biography by Family, Friends and Fellow Musicians” by Jas Obrecht, Guitar Player, Nov. 1982
Ozzy Osbourne, p. 148, ibid
Ozzy Osbourne, p. 149, from I Am Ozzy by Ozzy Osbourne with Chris Ayres, Grand Central Publishing, p. 240
Brad Gillis, p. 151, from “Dear Guitar Hero: Night Ranger’s Brad Gillis and Joel Hoekstra,” GuitarWorld.com, March 2, 2010, www.store.guitarworld.com/dear-guitar-hero-night-rangers-brad-gillis-and-joel-hoekstra
Jake E. Lee, p. 151, from “How to Succeed Without Really Whammying” by Steven Rosen, Guitar World, Nov. 1986
Eddie Van Halen, p. 161, from “Van Halen Family Values” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Sept. 1998, p. 127
Alex Van Halen, p. 162, ibid
Sweet Connie Hamzy, p. 162, from “The Howard Stern Show,” Dec. 8, 2010, groupieblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/connie-hamzy-on-howard-stern-show/
Jeannie Crane, p. 162, from Australian TV program Hard Copy, ep. “Groupies,” 1988 www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6wZoYMS2HM&feature=player_embedded#!
Frank Zappa, p. 164, from the Record Labeling Hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in the United States Senate, Sept. 19, 1985, www.joesapt.net/superlink/shrg99-529/toc.html
Susan Baker, p. 164, from the Record Labeling Hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in the United States Senate, Sept. 19, 1985, www.joesapt.net/superlink/shrg99-529/toc.html
Vince Neil, p. 176, Mötley Crüe: The Dirt – Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band by Mötley Crüe with Neil Strauss, Regan Books, p. 130
Eddie Van Halen, p. 180, from “Van Halen Family Values” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Sept. 1998, p. 127
Eddie Van Halen, p. 182, from “Van Halen Family Values” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Sept. 1998, p. 126
Robbin Crosby, p. 184, from “VH1 Behind the Music: Ratt,” Ep. 198, May 11, 2006
Caught in a Mosh: Thrash Metal, 1981–1991
Lars Ulrich, p. 196, from Get Thrashed, directed by Rick Ernst, produced by Rat Skates, Saigon 1515 Productions, 2006
Lars Ulrich, p. 199, from “Metallica: The MTV Icon Interviews” by Erica Forstadt, MTV.com, 2003, www.mtv.com/bands/m/metallica/news_feature_030506/
Lars Ulrich, p. 200, ibid
Dave Mustaine, p. 201, from Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir by Dave Mustaine with Joe Layden, It Books, 2011, p. 48
Conrad “Cronos” Lant, p. 203, interview by Jeff Kitts, property of interviewer
Conrad “Cronos” Lant, p. 204, ibid
James Hetfield, p. 205, from “Metallica: The MTV Icon Interviews” by Erica Forstadt, MTV.com, 2003, www.mtv.com/bands/m/metallica/news_feature_030506/
Lars Ulrich, p. 205, from “Metallica: The MTV Icon Interviews” by Erica Forstadt, MTV.com, 2003, www.mtv.com/bands/m/metallica/news_feature_030506/
Kirk Hammett, p. 206, from Get Thrashed, directed by Rick Ernst, produced by Rat Skates, Saigon 1515 Productions, 2006
Dave Mustaine, p. 207, from Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir by Dave Mustaine with Joe Layden, It Books, 2011, p. 75
Kirk Hammett, p. 207, from Get Thrashed, directed by Rick Ernst, produced by Rat Skates, Saigon 1515 Productions, 2006
Cliff Burton, p. 208, interview by Harald Oimoen, property of interviewer
Dave Mustaine, p. 215, from Lydverket interview, NRK, 2009, www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW8NgXZWotM&playnext=1&list=PLDADF01BEB3FE51A7&feature=results_video
Dave Mustaine, p. 216, from “Bending Metal: Megadeth’s Transformation” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, May 2000, p. 44
Kirk Hammett, p. 217, from “Metallica: The MTV Icon Interviews” by Erica Forstadt, MTV.com, 2003, www.mtv.com/bands/m/metallica/news_feature_030506/
Kirk Hammett, p. 217, ibid
Dave Mustaine, p. 222, from “Bending Metal: Megadeth’s Transformation” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, May 2000, p. 45
Dave Ellefson, p. 226, ibid
Dave Mustaine, p. 226, ibid
Dave Ellefson, p. 227, ibid
Dave Mustaine, p. 227, ibid
Paul Baloff, p. 242, from “Tales From the Pit No. 3” video magazine produced by Jerry Allen, 1985 www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDE25qgkUW4
Lars Ulrich, p. 245, from “Masterpiece” by Mick Wall, Guitar World Presents Guitar Legends: Metallica—25 Years of Heavy Metal Thunder, March 2009, p. 33
Lars Ulrich, p. 246, ibid
Kirk Hammett, 246, from “Masterpiece” by Mick Wall, Guitar World Presents Guitar Legends: Metallica—25 Years of Heavy Metal Thunder, March 2009, p. 34
James Hetfield, p. 246, from “Metallica: Talkin’ Trash” by Richard Bienstock, guitarworld.com
Lars Ulrich, p. 246, from “Metallica: The MTV Icon Interviews” by Erica Forstadt, MTV.com, 2003, www.mtv.com/bands/m/metallica/news_feature_030506/
James Hetfield, p. 247, from “Metallica: Talkin’ Trash” by Richard Bienstock, guitarworld.com
Dave Mustaine, p. 248, from Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir by Dave Mustaine with Joe Layden, It Books, 2011
Lars Ulrich, p. 250, from “Metallica: The MTV Icon Interviews,” by Erica Forstadt, MTV.com, 2003, www.mtv.com/bands/m/metallica/news_feature_030506/
Kirk Hammett, p. 257, from “Playboy Interview: Metallica,” by Rob Tannenbaum, Playboy, April 2001
Lars Ulrich, p. 257, ibid
Dave Mustaine, p. 258, from “Bending Metal: Megadeth’s Transformation” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, May 2000, p. 45
James Hetfield, p. 258, from “Playboy Interview: Metallica,” by Rob Tannenbaum, Playboy, April 2001
The Age of Quarrel: Crossover/Hardcore, 1977–1992
Glenn Danzig, p. 269, from “New Music Preview: Glenn Danzig” by Legs McNeil, Spin, Jan. 1991, p. 29
Glenn Danzig, p. 269, “Glenn Danzig: Resurrection of a Misfit” by
Mike Gitter, Rip magazine, Oct. 1987
Glenn Danzig, p. 269, from “New Music Preview: Glenn Danzig” by Legs McNeil, Spin, Jan. 1991, p. 29
New York Daily News, p. 278, from Daily News, “Webster Hall pulls plug on hardcore show after punk rockers battle,” by Kerry Burke, Shayna Jacobs, July 7, 2012
Peter Steele, p. 287, from “Death Metal: A Documentary” written and directed by Bill Zebub, Bill Zebub productions, 2002
Far Beyond Driven: Thrash Revisited and Revised, 1987–2004
Sharon Osbourne, p. 328, from “Against All Ozz: Ozzy Osbourne Bites Back” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, Nov. 1998, p. 47
Ozzy Osbourne, p. 328, ibid
San Luis Obispo Tribune, p. 332, from “Elyse Pahler: Killed in Nipomo in 1995” by newspaper staff, San Luis Obispo Tribune, April 14, 2010, www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/04/14/1102851/elyse-pahler-killed-in-nipomo.html#storylink=cpy
San Francisco Examiner, p. 333, from “Subliminal Messages, Heavy Metal Music and Teenage Suicide” by Candy Cooper, San Francisco Examiner, Sept. 29, 1989
Lars Ulrich, p. 337, from “Metallica: The MTV Icon Interviews” by Erica Forstadt, MTV.com, 2003, www.mtv.com/bands/m/metallica/news_feature_030506/
Kirk Hammett, p. 337, ibid
Bob Rock, p. 338, ibid
Lars Ulrich, p. 338, ibid
Dave Mustaine, p. 343, from “Bending Metal: Megadeth’s Transformation” by Jon Wiederhorn, Penthouse, May 2000, p. 44
Dave Ellefson, p. 343, ibid
Nicko McBrain, p. 344, interview by Mick Wall, property of interviewer
Steve Harris, p. 344, ibid
Phil Anselmo, p. 347, from 1996 press release issued by Elektra Records
Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal Page 70
