Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell was once offered to play in a gig with Metallica, which, in his words, they thought he would be impressed. He was not.
In a new interview with Guitar World, the rocker was asked about the 1999 gig where he was called to perform ‘Whiskey In The Jar,’ which was later covered by the band. Revealing that he did not know about the band, Bell described the gig as ‘chaos’:
“And then they asked me to do the gig, which was chaos. I don’t know why they called me. I think the impression they had was that I knew who they were. I didn’t. They thought I was in awe of them – not true.”
Not knowing who Metallica was apparently took the band members by surprise. He continued:
“One of the roadies drove me to their hotel, and I stood in the hall waiting. And one by one, they came down, shook my hand, and they expected me to be impressed. But I didn’t know who they were, I’d never heard their music, and I wasn’t bothered. That took them by surprise.”
When asked about the experience of playing with a now world-renowned band, the guitarist revealed he did not enjoy it the way he thought he would:
“It wasn’t enjoyable. There was no chemistry. They tuned a whole step down, which is typical for them. I, however, didn’t. So now I’m hearing Whiskey in the Jar in F, which was very odd. From that point forward, my brain wasn’t into it. I just played it my way, and we went our separate ways.”
Metallica Didn’t Pay Bell
Bell was asked to join Metallica on stage to play ‘Whiskey In The Jar’ during their concert at Dublin’s Point Theatre on July 5, 1999. Metallica flew Bell from the UK to Dublin in their private plane for the gig. However, Bell claimed he was surprised when the band did not pay him the agreed-upon £2,000 after the show.
Although no fee was formally agreed upon, Bell assumed he would be compensated when a member of Metallica’s crew bid him farewell at the private airfield around 3:30 in the morning, arranging transportation for him home. As a result, the guitarist called them a ‘pack of bastards’ in a later interview:
“I was quietly expecting about two grand, which wouldn’t have meant a thing to them. But I got handed over a big ball of Metallica t-shirts, key rings and hats. I got paid f*ck all. Then they all f*cked off. It wasn’t until I was sitting in my car on the way home I realized they hadn’t paid me. I thought I’d get something in the post but not a dickie bird. They are a pack of bastards. I couldn’t believe what they did, especially as they are so well off. I should have been paid £2,000 but got f*ck all. It’s pure ignorance really. I should have been paid £2,000 at least but I got f*ck all from them.”
He also added that if Metallica were ever to ask him for another gig, he would ask for five grand in cash in advance.
You can hear Metallica’s version of the song below.
