Metallica’s original bassist, Ron McGovney, recently took to X to share his current struggles with hearing loss and a long-term hand injury.
McGovney has been engaging with fans and reflecting on his time with the band through a series of posts on social media. Amidst sharing memories and insights, the musician’s conversation took a turn when a fan inquired about his current engagement with music. The bassist disclosed:
“No. I don’t even own a bass anymore. I have a hand injury that I have been dealing with for more than 15 years. Oh yeah, I’m almost deaf.”
An Insightful Look Back
Ron’s social media activity often revolves around his experiences with early Metallica, offering fans a glimpse into the band’s beginnings. Recently, he posted a nostalgic photo from March 1982, marveling at how far the band has come since those early days. When pressed about who was the better composer, James Hetfield or Dave Mustaine, McGovney praised both but reserved special recognition for Lars Ulrich’s vision, stating:
“Lars. He saw the potential of the band that the rest of us were oblivious to.”
Setting The Record Straight
Further delving into Metallica’s history, McGovney addressed common misconceptions about the band’s first live show back in January. Contrary to popular belief, he described their debut performance as less than groundbreaking, writing:
“The first show was definitely not groundbreaking. Believe me. I was there. More groundbreaking would be the first time we played in San Francisco after ‘No Life Til Leather’ was recorded.”
After 23 years away from the stage, he made a comeback on December 10, 2011, performing ‘Hit the Lights’ and ‘Seek & Destroy’ with Metallica, Mustaine, and Lloyd Grant at The Fillmore during Metallica’s 30th-anniversary celebrations. Then, on December 5, 2013, he joined Megadeth on stage in Charlotte, North Carolina, to sing lead on a cover of Thin Lizzy’s ‘Cold Sweat.’
You can see Ron’s tweet below.
No. I don't even own a bass anymore. I have a hand injury that I have been dealing with for more than 15 years. Oh yeah: I'm almost deaf.
— Ron McGovney (@RonMcGovney) March 9, 2024
