James Hetfield of Metallica Reflects on AC/DC’s Angus Young: The Guitarist Who ‘blows my mind’

Rock and roll has long been associated with youthfulness, yet age has proven to be irrelevant time and again. Metallica, now over four decades into their journey, continue to write new chapters in their story.

Back in 1981, when Metallica formed, bands like The Rolling Stones were already seen as seasoned veterans, despite not being middle-aged. Today, over 40 years later, they’re still going strong. Rock music was simply too young to accommodate aging rockers back then. But now, numerous artists in their eighties defy the notion that age hampers creativity.

For James Hetfield, now in his late 50s, concerns about maintaining peak performance linger. During a 2023 show in Brazil, he candidly shared his insecurities with the crowd, admitting to feeling old and inadequate.

Yet, amidst these moments of doubt, Hetfield finds inspiration from artists who defy the odds. Few impress him more consistently than AC/DC’s Angus Young.

Speaking to Billboard in 2016, Hetfield praised Young’s enduring energy, noting his ability to command the stage with the vigor of a young athlete. Despite nearing 70, Young remаins the driving force behind AC/DC, infusing their live shows with the same vitality demanded by fans for decades.

Young’s face may bear the marks of a life well-lived, but when he steps onto the stage in his iconic school uniform, age becomes irrelevant. His dedication to the music he loves is unwavering, and retirement is a notion foreign to him.

Angus Young serves as a reminder that quality transcends age. As long as the passion burns bright, the music lives on, regardless of the years behind the artist.