Metallica Producer Greg Fidelman Compares James Hetfield to Johnny Cash ‘James isn’t the middle-finger guy people see from the outside’

James Hetfield, known for his powerful stage presence and аggressive vocals as Metallica’s frontman, has a surprising side that fans rarely see. Greg Fidelman, Metallica’s longtime producer, recently discussed this in an interview with The Metallica Report podcast, drawing an unexpecteԀ comparison between Hetfield and legendary country singer Johnny Cash.

Fidelman, who has co-produced Metallica’s albums Hardwired… To Self-Destruct and 72 Seasons, also worked on Johnny Cash’s American V: A Hundred Highways. He sees a common thread between the two musicians: a powerful presence that transcends their public personas.

“Working with Johnny, he had an older, very grateful gentleman vibe, but still just had the legend, part of it. I suppose that the part of the person that’s the legend also comes down to the person that’s approaching the legend; what they have in their head,” Fidelman said.

For Fidelman, Cash embodied a sense of gratitude and wisdom, coupled with his legendary status. In contrast, Hetfield strives to shed the angry persona often associated with him, seeking authenticity.

“So for me, and most people, probably, working with Johnny Cash was completely fairytale stuff. So I was a little apprehensive, and also, this is early on in my career. But, when I’d hear Johnny sаy, between the takes or something, ‘Hey, Greg, can you bring me another cup of tea?’ When I heard that over the speakers in the control room, I was definitely like, ‘Whoa, okay!'”

Despite being much younger than Cash was during their collaboration, Hetfield shares a similar authenticity. “James isn’t the middle-finger guy people see from the outside,” Fidelman noted. He emphasizes Hetfield’s focus on being genuine in the studio rather than living up to a particular image.

“I don’t know that James; I know of that James, but by the time I’m working with him, he’s already trying to not be something other than just a guy. I think he wouldn’t really like it, but he’s more than that.”

Fidelman’s comparison delves deeper, highlighting Hetfield’s introspective nature and ease of collaboration. While Hetfield’s personality can be complex, it doesn’t hinder their working relationship.

“When James comes in, there’s a presence, but James has also become grateful, and tries to be very kind. James still has much more of a mercurial kind of personality, where the moods are clear and you know when they’re this, that, and the other. All good things, but that’s a different thing. James can be much harder to sort of dig into — he’s very easy to work with, for me, anyway — but just to understand what’s happening on the inside. There, sometimes it’s a little complicated.”

Fidelman’s insights reveаl a different side of Hetfield, showing that, much like Johnny Cash, there’s more to him than meets the eye.