The Big Four Metal Bands Almost Wasn't

The Night Before Thrash Metal Almost Died! (Hidden History)

Real Photo 

This event took place in NYC Jamaica Queens where three of the big four would make their bones and turn music on it’s head.

Real Photo

Together would define 80’s Heavy Metal music, there by changing the landscape into razer rocks and dried lakes, and whole mountain sides cut and sculptured into their image to which the Thrash God’s bestowed a shield and blade for the rough roads ahead… they truly would need it.

Historical Location 

The year is 1983 Metallica, Anthrax and Dave Mustaine founder of Megadeth were rehearsing at the Music Building by Union Hall and Archer next to Jamaica Avenue.

Historical Location 

About nearly five blocks away I started banging on the piano keys, up until then I played with my toy trucks and a broken guitar.

The neighborhood two years earlier was largely white the ones left behind we’re retired. African Americans mainly filled the void, so when I saw these young long haired hippies, feeling nostalgic, my first initial reaction, I was happy to have them as our newest residents, unfortunately crime began to rise right around that time.

My mother feared for the safety of my brother and I and would not let us out of her sight unless we were with friends, naively I thought for sure we would grow up with these older cool dudes but that would not be.

Historical Location 

There were numerous times where I witnessed trouble brewing in metallic land onto the ghetto streets, other times my brother chris witnessed Dave and James ready to set it off at any moment, near the front or back entrance by 165 pedestrian MALL and the white AT&T building located one block further between 89 ave and Parsons Blvd with Lars dowsing out the fires. (metaphorically speaking)

It was there I saw two or three of the four members of Metallica, and three other individuals.

Dave was drunk and on the defensive while James hands were balled into a fist, both lunged at each other.

Once again Lars was the mediator, the rest of the fellows made attempts to intervene.

Historical Location 

When I finally passed through, Dave also lunged at me, including a little black girl which frighten her, she flinched and leapt away to the side, her parents who were up ahead concerned asked what happened, she kept a brave or stern face and said aloud "nothing!"

If she would have told the truth I'm sure there would have been a fight and the neighborhood would have sided not with the long hair rock guys...it could have gotten very ugly fast.

some of the individuals said to Dave quote: "you just scared that girl." Also "look what your doing your scaring little kids." one of them then turned to me as an example.

Representation Photo 

On another occasion Cliff Burton base player for Metallica saw his first live Hip Hop show on Jamaica avenue at Rufus King park, standing at the front gat near the entrance.

My mother and brother and I were returning from shopping at a near by supermarket that day.

Historical Location 

The incredible thing Grand Master Jay of Run DMC was setting up his turntables and performed a mic check, as to what Cliff thoughts were when he came upon the scene is anyone’s guess, sadly they both were tragically killed, but not before earning the titles the kings of Thrash Metal and Hip Hop.

Representation Photo

In the days or weeks leading up to the bands departure from the area, my brother and I went shopping with our mother on Jamaica avenue less than five blocks from our home, a class mate of my brother along with a friend of his mentioned a strange sound coming from next door around the corner, and invited us to check it out.

Surprisingly our mother allowed us to do so. I would go on and visit the music Building once more before it was torn down.

Representation Photo 

I remember the hallways strewn with garbage… and on another visit I was blamed for the vandalism.

Years later I found out it was the work of Dave Mustaine, if he didn't like your music he'd let you know in a mischievous way to which it made other musicians upset… their door was used as a punching bag.

What came out of that place is the stuff of rock music history . . .

The sounds I heard scared me a bit however, I was also fascinated and intrigued, it was like Jimmi Hendrix had turned over on his grave and wailed on his guitar as if to say this is how you do it boys!

Representation Photo 

After a couple of times knocking on the bands door we were ignored. From the start my school mate confidently said that he knew them and that they were his good friends, but something didn't feel right about it. Years later I realized it was a manipulative tactic or a gesture to ease my worries or concerns.

We sat on the stair well and hallway floor, listening to trash metal for the first time directly from the source, it was a phenomenal experience.

My first lessons in thrash metal was now set and things would never be the same again.

Representation Photo 

Capturing that sound was my childhood reality. My guitar rarely wasn't in my hands. Thanks to these bands and rap groups my wide palate for music never stopped.

Representation Photo 

The beloved neighborhood dogs to which a few families took care of including myself was a source of joy for the kids in the area, because of our screwy rent lease terms, we were not allowed to have any dogs, instead we had them stay short term with us.

In doing so a lot of kids thought they were the rightful owners and felt they had a responsibility to care for it.

One rainy day I received word one of my dogs was beaten kicked with no mercy. The word was a tall white blond dude with long hair had done the deed. In other reports hair color and length description changed to a darker tone with an additional assailant, nonetheless the neighborhood around my block came out with bats and chains and a few were packing heat...they were out looking for blood and justice.

Representation photo

Despite a number of times the neighborhood came close to finding their whole in the wall, two black children, male and female likely siblings refused to give any additional information is probably why we have such great metal thrash bands today.

At the time I had a chance to talk and try to convince them to trust me, but they refused to tell me their whereabouts...had they confide in me I am sure I would of shared it with my peers.

Representation photo 

They stated "We know where they're are but we're never gonna say where, we like them."

They'd go on to say to other individuals, "its not right" or two wrongs don't make a right." In addition "will never give them up, we want them to stay!"

Instead of the Big four think just ONLY one.

If fate didn't interjected it would have been up to Slayer to bring forth thrash metal to the world.

I recalled for days people were still looking for the individuals even weeks later asking around for any information.

Historical Location 

Almost a year or more on 165 and Jamaica avenue a black mother with a stroller was concerned for herself and her baby safety. She asked did anyone knew where these white boys were, that killed the dog?

She added, "I know it happened around here somewhere."

Over the years the thought occurred to me what if my favorite bands we’re mistaken for the perpetrator or worse any white guy close enough to the description and not familiar to the area would pay out of revenge was some of the impression I gathered that fateful day. 

You can say Hip-hop saved Thrash Metal and all it’s subgenres would not have jumped off as it did. 

The first thrash metal album Kill ‘Em All might have been shelved, or never recorded in the first place the neighborhood kids gone to prison for murder, which metalronically is usually the subject matter headbanging artists sang about, including gangster rap, the question is were any of them carrying?

In their case they didn’t need it, the thrashing god’s yet again were there to protect them . . .

Real Photo 

A few years ago I was watching a documentary where Lars and Dave discussed their past, and how James kicked a dog Dave had befriended, back in California. 

Immediately my thoughts were "shit not James!" in addition to the what if scenario up until then I suspected it fell near or in their world, even though the two incidence were separate events, one in California and the other in New York, I sincerely hit the lights when I heard the news...no pun intended.

The likely hood James kicked my dog was now a bigger possibility however, in all honesty it could have come from any other bands rehearsing in the area or a foolish white boy visiting their grandparents even though native headbangers from the area were hard to come by let alone most did not dress like their musical hard rock heroes.

Representation Photo 

Sadly after our dog was seriously hurt shortly or moments later was ran over by a vehicle and killed.

What I do know that day it was my families turn take in the dog and care for it.

What my family and i found instead were children and teenage kids looking for the perpetrators, in droves. The streets were chaotic.

Some believed its injuries didn't allow it to move fast enough, while others said they only saw the dog get struck, regardless of the situation my heart sank, I felt helpless.

Real Photo 

At some point in 1983 Kirk Hammett joined the band however, because Kirk pulls off Hispanic really well and other times more white than anything else together with his fresh androgynous looks would have been enough to act out of hatred and revenge...

After Dave Mustaine’s departure, inadvertently it may have saved his life. The angel of death looming over him that followed from Los Angeles failed in its mission.

Real Photo 

Years earlier his two band mates and a sound man were killed in a car accident. The next time around Dave wasn’t saved by angels from heaven or by a spectacular set of circumstances but rather an earthly explanation one in the name of Lars, James and Cliff. His dismissal ultimately gave the world Megadeth!

Representation Photo 

Scruffy was buried in someone’s backyard, after all these years I still miss the dog till today.

Representation Photo 

These two pair were best of friends.

Additional thoughts 

On a side note four years later when i finally made the music behind the door connection, Metallica and Anthrax sounded familiar, especially their posters and album covers brought back memories, I was amazed at the circumstances and how my family and i were caught in music history in hindsight I am glad I was not told where the perpetrators were.

The interesting thing before my family and I moved from Queens to the Bronx I saw Scott Ian from Anthrax and academy award winner for best actor Adrian Brodie passed by my apartment building circa 1985-1986, if either would have done so years prior when the streets were hot, they would have been toast!

You might be wondering what you've read is it all true and the answer is YES, my family and I kept the oral history alive over the years.

I come fourth because i want this part of Queens history to be preserved.

You can pick up any of my free ebooks at smashwords.

For a limited time.... today only.

Any questions or comments leave them below and I will respond as quickly as possible.

In association with Hampton Book Award.