BIOGRAPHY OF JASON NEWSTED (Bassist)

 

 

JASON & METALLICA

Jason Newsted was born on March 4, 1963 in Battle Creek, Michigan. His influences for music and performing are all of the bass players in the bands, Kiss, Rush, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Yes. His first jobs before becoming Metallica's bass player were a busboy and a dishwasher. Like Kirk, Jason had a band before he came to Metallica, which was called "Flotsam & Jetsam". Jason got his first bass when he was 13. He played it, then got bored of it. After 5 years, he regained his interest and started to play seriously. He quit school to join his first band "Flotsam & Jetson". He played at clubs and concerts and released an album with the band. Then along came James, Lars and Kirk feeling sad that they lost their bassist, Cliff Burton, in a bus accident. They were looking for a replacement. They asked Jason to try out, mainly jam and spend time with them. Then the big news came, James asked Jason if he would join Metallica. Jason was so happy that in response to James' offer, he screamed at the top of his lungs right in the middle of a restaurant. Now, the true Metallica was born!

 

 

 

JASON ON HIMSELF !

 

Instrument:

 Bass Guitar, backing vocals

Speciality:

 Making sure Metallica pumps harder than ever

Birthday:

 March 4, 1963

From:

 Battle Creek, Michigan

Vitals:

 5'9" & 150 lbs (1.75meters & 68.04 kg); brown/red hair & blue eyes

Drives:

 '94 Land Cruiser, IBIS Titanium, Cyclocross bike

Marital Status:

 Single

Drinks:

Bordeaux, Barolo, barbaresco wines. Evian, Metrx Shakes

Eats:

 Thai Curry, Frosted Flakes, Bananas, Ginseng

Sports Team:

 NBA: Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls; NFL: Detroit Lions, L.A. Raiders

Before Metallica:

 Flotsam and Jetsam, Dogz

Pre-Metallica:

 Burger-flipper, pizza-maker, and truck driver

Likes:

 Mountain biking, Elizabeth, Basketball

Listens to:

 Kiss, Black Sabbath, Tom Waits, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Machine Head, Sly and the Family Stone, Sepultura, Wes Montgomery, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, Jaco Pastorius, Anything and everything

Heroes:

 Gene Simmons, Al Pacino, B.B. King, my father, Zach Harmen, Bob Marley

First Concert:

 Ted Nugent, 1975, South Bend, Indiana

Describes self as:

 Energetic, caring, goofy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JASON' s  EQUIPMENT LIST

BASSES
  • Music Man 4 and 5 String
  • Stuart Spector Designs 4 - 5 - 6 String
  • Hamer 8 and 12 String
  • 1 Sadowsky Vintage 4 string, Lake Placid Blue
  • 1 Sadowsky Vintage 4 string, Black
  • 1 Sadowsky PJ 4 string, Cherry Burst
  • 1 Sadowsky PJ 4 string, Caramel Burst
  • 1 Sadowsky Vintage 5 string, Cherry Burst
  • 2 Sadowsky Vintage 5 string, Black
  • 1 Sadowsky 24 fret 5 string, Black

AMPS

  • Ampeg SVT III (Live)
  • Ampeg SVT Vintage (Studio)
  • Ampeg SVT 8"x10" Cabinets
  • Ampeg ISO Vent 10"x15" Cabinets

EFFECTS

  • Alesis Mediverb II
  • BBE Sonic Masimizer
  • Morley Power Wah Boost

PICKS

  • Dunlop Tortex Blue Triangle

SPECIAL GEAR

  • Wilson "Last Built" Basketball
  • Custom Ibis titanium "Hand Job" Mountain Bike
  • Wildey .45 Auto Magnum