Metallica Receives Award

Posted by Dana Suzanne on 05.20.2004

Band Is Honored By ASCAP At L.A. Ceremony

Metallica and folk singer/songwriter Jackson Browne were honored at performing rights groups ASCAP's annual Pop Music Awards on Tuesday, reports Dean Good of Reuters.

ASCAP bestowed its Creative Voice Award on "Lars Ulrich and Metallica," according to the citation, for the group's "artistic career achievements and for their work as advocates for all creatives."

The four members of Metallica delivered heartfelt speeches to the black-tie crowd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Drummer/songwriter Ulrich told the crowd that Metallica has been fortunate to receive a few awards in recent years and no longer saw them as "something that's not particularly cool."

The ASCAP award was particularly special "because this is about music and really nothing else," Ulrich said.

Singer/songwriter/guitarist James Hetfield credited his parents for leaving musical instruments-"these awesome toys"-around the house, and never forcing him to play them, apart from a few years of piano lessons.

"Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I could be making a living at this, and doing this 20-some odd years after we were sitting in a garage making music, and standing up here accepting some kind of award like this," Hetfield said.

Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett admitted he had never heard of ASCAP until he made his first album with Metallica, while newly installed bass player Robert Trujillo said his bandmates were "truly amazing human beings."

Awww...

Source: Goodman, Dean "Metallica, Jackson Browne Honored at L.A. Ceremony" reuters.com 19 May 2004