In a series of posts to their social media accounts, Metallica and its co-founders Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield paid tribute to Jonathan “Jonny Z” Zazula, who along with his wife Marsha Zazula pulled the band out of underground obscurity and helped launched their career. Jon and Marsha’s label Megaforce Records released Metallica’s debut album Kill Em All, in 1983. Jon died yesterday, January 31st, 2022 surrounded by family and friends in Florida. Marsha passed away last year on January 10th, 2021. Read the posts below and see our news about Jonny and the world of artists who paid tribute to him.
Metallica’s statement read: “Heavy music lost one of its great champions today when Jonny Z left this world far too soon.
“In 1982, when no one wanted to take a chance on four kids from California playing a crazy brand of metal, Johnny and Marsha did, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“He was a mentor, a manager, a label head and a father figure to us all … METALLICA would not be who we are or where we are today without Jon Zazula and his wife, Marsha.
“Our love and sympathy go out to Jonny’s children and his grandchildren, whom he cherished and brought to our shows from the time they were in diapers.
“We hope they will be able to take some comfort in knowing that he is reunited with Marsha, and that he helped bring so much incredible music to so many.”
“Hopefully there’s a great show goin’ on up there tonight to welcome you! We’ll miss you Jonny”.
Lars Ulrich posted: “Thank you Jonny for taking a chance on these crazy, noisy, uncompromising and undisciplined dudes from NorCal who didn’t know what was up, down or sideways, but who were ready, willing and more than able to fuckin throw it all to the wind and go for it.. Thank you for giving us a sense of belonging and ultimately, a sense of self-worth. I will forever be grateful for your friendship, advice and blind belief that the music we played could be shared with way more people who were just like us…outsiders and misfits!
“Rest In Peace my friend.”
James Hetfield, who doesn’t post as often on social media shared a post to Metallica’s page signed JH:
“God rest your soul Jonny. My heart is full of gratitude for taking a chance on me and my bandmates.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZdau2dL0lP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link