ASK TONY

Do you think the band still likes metal?
photoguy@hotmail.com

Hmmm... not a question I've asked any of the guys in recent times. However, my opinion is that metal has been such a large part of their lives for so long -ie. Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden etc etc - that it is very unlikely that they suddenly dislike something that was precious to them in many ways. We all expand our tastes eventually but that doesn't mean that we then dislike the things that went before.

Hello Tony, greetings from Toronto, Canada. Great website, thank you for making those rare Metallica items available to the fans. We appreciate it. I have a quick question for you. Have you ever thought of writing a book about your days with Metallica. I think you would be presently surprised with how many people would love to read your stories and about your exprerences with the band. Both personal and professionally. Thanks for your time.
ajcevans00@hotmail.com

Yes.. that thought has crossed my mind a few times, I've even had a publisher asking if I'd like to do something. My thoughts on it are that if I was to put my experiences down in writing it would consist mainly of professional experiences and a few amusing anecdotes, it would not be the 'insider' gossip filled item that people seem to want. I do not believe in betraying trust that people have put in you and exposing things that are meant to be kept private. So, I don't think too many people would be interested in reading just about logistics in world touring and the problems overcome without having the 'juicy' bits in there too.

I found out about your awesome site/items over at intersandman.com. One thing I always wanted was one of those really cool leather motorcycle jackets with the embroidered Metallica logo on from the puppets tour. Gotta be worth BIG$. Got any? Any chance one may show up on Banditems? I also want to say thanks for doing this because I can't tell you how many shows I was at and a pick thrown to me bounced off my hat/hand/whatever and now things like that can be had (for a small price of course).
Marc Evans

Hello Marc. Glad you like the site. I don't think I have the leather jacket from the Puppets tour, however I know that somewhere in my collection I have jackets from other Metallica tours. Just keep watching, they'll be on BANDitems sometime. I hope that you manage to find other rarities that you are looking for.

Hey Tony, I was over at Intersandman & they let me know that you had a Q & A section up now. I got a 2 part question...What is your rarest piece of Metallica Memorabilia you have & what is your favorite piece of memorabilia?
Kevin

The rarest piece of memorabilia that I have are actually multiple pieces. I have a few bits and pieces of doodles/artwork that were done by various band members over the years. Some of these things are very amusing and some were the start of now well known Metallica designs/icons. What makes them rare? They exist nowhere else. One of these pieces will be on BANDitems soon. It is an autographed poster with an amusing bit of extra text added by James! Watch out for it.

What kind of person was Jason Newsted like?
johnny fucker

Jason Newsted, in my opinion, IS a very funny, friendly person. He always has time for the fans and makes that little extra effort to show them how much he appreciates the support they give. Jason was my best-man at my wedding way, way back and he and I have spent some good times going out for dinner or just hanging out in hotel rooms etc.

Hey Tony just wanted to know if you knew or were aware of all the inner problems within Metallica ( Jason's frustrations etc...)? Problems that seem to be non existant these days in the newly reborn, reenergized METALLICA! Great site, i found it through intersandman.com take care Tony, us longtime clubberz miss ya!!!
Phil Earles

The only awareness I had of inner problems within Metallica were those of a day to day nature. Like all long-term relationships some days you adore those you share the relationship with and some days you just want to strangle them! That was how it was for many, many years... nothing unusual. Obviously, eventually Jason just felt that he wanted out of the relationship for a number of reasons. However there were a lot of good times, over more than a decade, with James, Lars, Kirk and Jason.

I saw the link to your awesome BandItems website about a month ago. I've bid on a few items even. I thought it would be cool to ask you a question or two. So, What! has been the defining moment to this point in time in your relationship with Metallica or the Metallica Family?
Michael Schultz

Defining moment?? Hmmm.... There are so many ways to look at that. It is extremely hard to pick just one moment from the thousands we had together. If I had to pick something to illustrate it all I would have to choose two things, one work related and one personal. The work related thing is how the guys agreed to me setting up the Metallica Club in spite of a lot of resistance from other areas. It felt good having their trust in me. The Metallica Club has never been a roaring financial success but that was never the point of it. The Club became a real entity where band and fans share common ground. I still enjoy seeing how things progress and savour the memories of when it was just a discussion on an airplane!

A personal moment was the terrible day I discovered that my eldest daughter had been killed in an accident in TN while the band and I were touring in France. The huge amount of support and help the guys gave to me that day in getting me back to the rest of my family in TN will never be forgotten. Those kinds of things 'buy' undying love and loyalty.

Any chance of any Cliff collectiblles going up for auction? Thanks man,
Kris L.

Very little chance of that from my personal collection, but who knows, maybe Lars (the ultimate collector) will send me some of his collectibles from those days. Do you hear me Lars???

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