Jason Newsted was born on March 4th, 1963 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Jason's interest in music began when his family moved to Kalamazoo, where he turned his focus from academics to music. Jason was so impressed by Gene Simmons of Kiss, that he bought his first bass and a small amp. Newsted quit school three months before graduation, and headed for Los Angeles. On the way, he made a pit stop in Phoenix, Arizona and decided to stay. In Phoenix, Jason formed a band called DOGZ, later to be re-named Flotsam and Jetsam, which made it onto Brian Slagel's seventh Metal Massacre album. It was Slagel, who mentioned Jason to Metallica, after the death of their former bassist Cliff Burton. The remaining members of Metallica met with Jason in Tommy's Joint, where they announced that they would hire him as their new bass player. Other info: Height: 5' 9" Eyes: blue Hair: brown/red No, Jason didn't attend Dobson High. (Or any other High School in Arizona.) Jason has been in many other bands and has many side projects. Here is a list of a few of them: Bands: Diamond, 1977 Gangster, 1980 Paradox, 1982 Dogz, 1983 Flotsam and Jetsam, 1984 Metallica, 1986-present. Side Projects: Maxwell Ranchouse Bands, 1986 to present. Mike, 1986-present Avoid, 1989 Sepultallica, 1992 Kopper Biskits, 1992 Long Ass Johnny and the Fabulous Y-tones, 1993 VooDoo Children, 1993 GrooveStang, 1993 Pale, 1994 Judas, 1994 Fatso, 1994 Dregnet, 1994 Spastik Children

click to go back to the metallica index page