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.: Ron McGovney :.
Personal life
Ron McGovney (born November 2, 1963, Los Angeles, California) is an American musician most notable for being Metallica's first bass player when they formed in the early 1980s. He was replaced by Cliff Burton. Ron McGovney was reportedly often bullied by lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, who poured beer on his bass contributing to an electric shock which McGovney described as "causing him to fly across the room". After leaving Metallica, McGovney was disillusioned with music and sold most of his equipment. However, several years later, he was enticed into another band called Phantasm, whose only album he contributed to. He then left Phantasm after a couple of years of unsuccessful music. McGovney is of Scottish descent.
Metallica
McGovney met James Hetfield in junior high school. They became friends through a mutual love of heavy metal, and alienation from their peers. Hetfield convinced McGovney to learn to play bass guitar, rented a bass guitar and an amplifier and proceeded to teach McGovney. Soon the two of them moved into one of McGovney's parents' rental houses, which was due to be demolished.
At the time James and Ron were in a band called Leather Charm with guitar player Hugh Tanner. Tanner later decided that he wanted to pursue music management, and left the band. James and Ron then met guitarist Troy James and drummer Jim Mulligan, the latter of whom left the band shortly afterward. Soon James, Ron and Lars brought guitarist Dave Mustaine into the band and Metallica was officially born.
Though McGovney was the bass player for the band, his time with the band was reportedly not enjoyable. He and Ulrich frequently clashed for a variety of reasons during their stint. Further, McGovney and Mustaine had similar incidents[1]. McGovney's sentiments were he was being used more as "monetary management and transportation" than being respected for being a member of the band. Due to this, McGovney was quickly growing tired of acting as unofficial manager.
Departure
McGovney recorded several demos with Metallica including one from his own garage in 1982, the Power Metal Demo, No Life 'Til Leather and the notable live demo Metal Up Your Ass. "Hit The Lights" was a song that eventually went on the Metal Massacre Vol. 1 album.
Reportedly, Hetfield and Mustaine were of the opinion that McGovney "didn't contribute anything, he just followed."
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