What You Need To Know About Metallica's Drummer Lars Ulrich

What You Need To Know About Metallica's Drummer Lars Ulrich 

Lars Ulrich, the drummer for Metallica, is a fascinating figure with a storied career and many interesting facts about his life and contributions to music:

1. **Early Life**: Lars Ulrich was born on December 26, 1963, in Gentofte, Denmark. He comes from a family with a strong artistic background; his father, Torben Ulrich, is a renowned jazz musician and tennis player.

2. **Tennis Background**: Before pursuing music, Ulrich was an aspiring tennis player, following in his father's footsteps. He moved to the United States in 1980 to train professionally but ultimately chose to focus on music.

3. **Founding Metallica**: Lars Ulrich co-founded Metallica in 1981 with guitarist James Hetfield after placing an ad in a Los Angeles newspaper, The Recycler, looking for musicians to jam with.

4. **Influences**: Ulrich's drumming style was heavily influenced by bands like Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, and Motorhead. He has cited Ian Paice, Phil Taylor, and John Bonham as major influences.

5. **Innovative Drumming**: Known for his aggressive and precise drumming style, Ulrich has been a key component in shaping Metallica's sound. His use of double bass drumming is particularly notable in songs like "One" and "Dyers Eve."

6. **Songwriting Contributions**: Besides drumming, Ulrich is heavily involved in the songwriting process for Metallica. He has co-written many of the band's biggest hits, including "Enter Sandman," "Master of Puppets," and "Fade to Black."

7. **Napster Controversy**: Ulrich was at the center of the controversy over file sharing in 2000 when Metallica sued Napster, a popular peer-to-peer file-sharing service. The case highlighted issues of digital piracy and the rights of artists.

8. **Acting and Media Appearances**: Ulrich has made several appearances in films and television, including roles in "Get Him to the Greek" and "Hemingway & Gellhorn." He also appeared in the documentary "Some Kind of Monster," which chronicles Metallica's tumultuous period during the early 2000s.

9. **Philanthropy**: Ulrich and Metallica are known for their philanthropic efforts. The band established the All Within My Hands Foundation, which focuses on creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, fighting hunger, and providing other critical services.

10. **Personal Life**: Ulrich has been married three times and has three children. He is currently married to Jessica Miller, a fashion model. Ulrich is also an avid art collector and has a particular interest in modern art.

Lars Ulrich's impact on metal music and his role in Metallica's success make him one of the most influential drummers in rock history. His dedication to his craft and his contributions to the music industry continue to be celebrated by fans worldwide.