Guitarist and co-founding member of Thin Lizzy Eric Bell has lashed out at Metallica, calling them “a pack of bastards,” claiming they didn’t pay him for a show.
The outburst came in an interview with Bell in the The Irish Sun, with the guitarist saying he was expecting to make £2000 after he was invited to play Whiskey In The Jar with the thrash giants at a show in Dublin in 1999.
Bell was flown to and from the UK with Metallica on their private plane, and, although no fee agreement had been arranged, Bell says he was anticipating some cash when they landed back in the UK.
Bell was flown to and from the UK with Metallica on their private plane, and, although no fee agreement had been arranged, Bell says he was anticipating some cash when they landed back in the UK.
“I was quietly expecting about two grand, which wouldn’t have meant a thing to them. But I got handed over a big ball of Metallica t-shirts, key rings and hats. I got paid fuck all. Then they all f–ked off.”
Bell says he only realized he had received no money on the journey home and adds, “I thought I’d get something in the post but not a dickie bird.”
The guitarist says one of his reps tried to contact Metallica at a later date, but had no success.
“They are a pack of bastards” Bell says. “I couldn’t believe what they did, especially as they are so well off. I should have been paid £2000 [Dana’s note: approximately $2571.30 USD] but got f–k all.”
Bell goes on to claim that he was approached by one of Metallica’s crew after the show at Dublin’s Point Theatre, now the 3Arena, and was asked to sign a sheet of paper which he did – although he doesn’t know if that was to waive his fee for the performance.
Bell says, “I hadn’t got my glasses and, looking back, should never have signed it, but for some reason, I did sign. Then, one of the sergeant major roadies appeared and shouted, ‘OK, everybody, we’ll be leaving in 20 minutes.’”
Bell played on Thin Lizzy’s first three albums: Thin Lizzy, Shades Of A Blue Orphanage and Vagabonds Of The Western World and on the track Whiskey In The Jar, but left the band at the end of 1973.
additional source: Classic Rock via loudersound.com
9 Responses
“[W]as asked to sign a sheet of paper which he did – although he doesn’t know if that was to waive his fee for the performance.”
That pretty much speaks for itself.
I’m quite sure he’s made more than a few ‘quid, as we say here in England, from the royalties from Metallica’s ‘Whiskey cover.
(Which, by the way, is far superior to the original.)
Shouldn’t the terms have been negotiated up front? Unless it’s my brother or my best friend, I think it’s fair to ask what’s in it for me. So poor business management sounds to me like.
Is this guy so hard up for cash that he’s still complaining about not getting paid two grand for a show 20 years ago? If that’s the case, maybe his anger is misdirected and he should be angry at the lousy record and publishing deals he signed.
Whatever financial arrangements were made is only known between the involved parties. But I do think Metallica has a positive reputation of taking care of those that have positively influenced their careers, particularly those early bands that inspired Metallica. Even though I’ve “tuned out” of Metallica since the “Justice…” album, I love that Metallica continue to be fans of their early influences, particularly their NWOBHM influences.