Jason Newsted himself is astonished by his level of activity on stage during his time with Metallica

Jason Newsted, renowned for his frenetic stage presence with Metallica, reflects on his electrifying performances in a recent interview on The Metallica Report, the band’s official podcast. During the late 80s to the late 90s, Newsted was the live-show dynamo, his energy pulsating through every performance with a dedication that bordered on physical insanity.

In his own words, Newsted emphasized that his primary focus within Metallica was the live show, with everything else taking a backseat. He poured his heart and soul into each performance, leaving nothing behind but sweat and passion. For him, the stage was where he felt most alive and confident, garnering praise from his bandmates for his relentless energy, background vocals, and iconic stage antics.

Reflecting on past footage, Newsted marvels at the sheer intensity of his performances, noting the countless times he spun his bass and contorted his body without pause throughout the lengthy shows. Despite the tоll it took on his body, with shoulder and spinal issues arising from the relentless physicality, Newsted sees it as the price of leaving a lasting impression on fans.

While Rоb Trujillo holds the record for the longest-serving bassist in Metallica, there’s no denying Newsted’s pivotal role as the band’s live-wire for a glorious decade, setting the stage on fire with his unparalleled energy and dedication to the craft.