Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted has revealed that his struggles with addiction played a part in his departure from the band.
Newsted revealed this while speaking to YouTuber Dean Delray, saying that he was a "horrible addict" around the time of his Metallica exit in 2001.
At the time, he left the band, citing “private and personal reasons and the physical damage I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love”.
“The reason I left Metallica is because I was a horrible addict. I was way up against myself, and if I didn’t get some kind of help, I was going to die. And so I just said, ‘You guys, can I have a minute? Please give me a minute.’ And they said, ‘No", Newsted stated.
The musician continued: “I said, ‘I would rather live than be in your band. I love being in your band. I think it’s kind of obvious. I wear your shirt every f****** night".
“So it’s like, you know, ‘I wear our shirt every night. I fly my colours every night. I meet every fucking person that wants to meet and represent us for all the fans every fucking night. Don’t tell me I’m not committed. Don’t tell me I’m not loyal. Don’t tell me. I’m always the first one in and last one out. I’m not saying the words. It’s f****** history.’
“It’s real. You can’t give me that minute to get my head straight again. Then I have to go. Not that I don’t love you, and certainly not that I’m not committed to this band".
Back in 2022, Jason Newsted had revealed that he was approached about touring as part of an all star Van Halen band by none other than Alex Van Halen. The tour would be a tribute to the late Eddie Van Halen who passed away in 2020.
Revealing that it would be difficult to properly justify Eddie Van Halen's legacy, Newsted said: "There's nobody that can top it, so how do you show it honor? I didn't want it to be viewed as a money grab. And then it kind of just all fizzled".
