I constantly catch myself saying this is the coolest piece, no this is the coolest piece, no this is, etc, etc. I have to admit, this is the coolest piece and one of the earliest ticket stubs you will ever see, let alone signed by James Hetfield and Cliff Burton. Unfortunately the ticket was ripped in half but what is saved gives a brief insight into the early days of the band. This ticket stub is from their second date (8/6/83) at L'Amours in Brooklyn, New York during the Kill Em All For One tour. With that said the show marked just the 17th date that Cliff Burton played with Metallica and it was Kirk Hammett's 13th show with the band. In terms of rarity I can't imagine there being many of these that made their way out of the venue that night, let alone one signed by two of the key members of the band. One of the most significant and important relics saved by a fan, likely folded and placed in his wallet or pocket.
Metallica 1985/86 Tour "Ride the Lightning"
This program is one from specific tour date on their 1985/86 "Ride the Lightning" tour. It's from August 17, 1985 when the band played along with ZZ Top, Marillion, Bon Jovi, Ratt and Magnum. The Tour book has been completely signed on the inside by every band in ballpoint pen. The book is in awful shape on the outside but everything looks great on the inside and this is one of the earliest sets of the boys signatures that I have encountered in a tour book. All four have signed with Lars even adding "Donnington 85!!" after his signature. A great memento from a great stop on their tour and their only stop in the UK. It was back to the United States following this gig.
Metallica "Damage Inc Tour U.S.A. Ozzy Tour" 1986
James and Cliff
3-29-86 (2nd date on this tour)
Cliff Burton
James Hetfield (reverse)
By the time that this tour hit the road Metallica was a force to be reconed with. Their fifth tour paired them with Ozzy Osbourne and this is perhaps one of the bands most memorable tours. This would be their last tour as a supporting act.
"What happened in '86 on the Puppets album was it was the first time we got out to middle America. The big reason it did get out there was Ozzy Osbourne. Metallica and Ozzy in arenas all across America and especially middle America. It was the first time that Metallica penetrated into those layers, the first time we showed up on the radar screens."
— Lars, mtv.com, 2003
Metallica "Damage Inc Tour " 1986
I consider myself very fortunate to have three different copies of this tour book signed. Each version is signed in a different place. The first copy is signed on the cover, the second (my favorite of the three) is signed in the middle by each band member with a ticket from the show and an additional signature in a dark spot (I can't identify) and the third is signed by each of the boys on their photo. This tour book is from Cliff's last tour and is the case with anything from this period I consider it rare. Even though the band was very mainstream (especially in the UK) during this time (1986) and they signed their fare share, anything signed by Cliff during his last year has to be in desirable category.
Signed by James, Cliff, Lars and Kirk
Signed by James, Cliff, Lars & Kirk
James
Cliff
Lars
Kirk
Metallica "Damage Justice World Tour" 1988-1990
I love the color and the cover art for thie particular piece. Unfortunately it's missing the signature of Lars but nonetheless, is a nice vintage piece of Metallica history. This particular tour was the fifth the band was embarking on with Cliff and there was no question his void could still be felt. I've always been a Jason fan, not exactly for his playing which I do enjoy, but for his enthusiasm. It was clearly evident on this tour.
Signed by James, Kirk & Jason
Nowhere Else to Roam Tour 1993
Autographed tour programs from this period are very hard to locate and to have them autographed is pretty rare. I just don't see many. This particular program has been signed nicely by each band member on their photo in the program. This is from a period in this bands timeline in which they were tour almost non stop. A great period for Metallica fans and the band. Alot of old music was re-hashed as played over and over again at these shows. I saw the band a great deal during this period and this is when they were at their best (minus Cliff).
