METALLICA Pay Tribute To Late Megaforce Records Co-Founder JON ZAZULA - "We Would Not Be Who We Are, Or Where We Are Today, Without Jon And His Wife, Marsha"
February 2, 2022, 2 years ago
News came down yesterday that Megaforce Records co-founder, Jon Zazula, has passed away at the age of 69. Variety reported that Jon died in Florida surrounded by his brother, daughters, granddaughters, and friends. Jon’s wife, Marsha Zazuala, died from cancer in January 2021 at the age of 68.
Born in 1952, Zazula began his extraordinary journey as a renegade youth who went from living on the streets of the Bronx in New York City, to later working on Wall Street, and eventually (and unexpectedly) transitioning into the music business and discovering Metallica, Anthrax and others.
Metallica has paid tribute to Zazula (Jonny Z) with the following:
"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, Jonny 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!" - James, Lars, Kirk & Robert
Lars Ulrich states: "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 Hetfiled adds: "God rest your soul Jonny. My heart is full of gratitude for taking a chance on me and my bandmates."
(Top photo - Kevin Hodapp)
