Dee Snider Recalls James Hetfield’s Reaction To His Prediction About Metallica

Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider recently answered some fan questions on Twitter. In response to one of them, he repeated his early claims about Metallica’s future and revealed how James Hetfield reacted to it years later.

When a fan asked the following question:

“I don’t know if you ever addressed this, but what was your first reaction from watching/hearing Metallica when you shared a bill with them in the mid ’80’s?”

Snider recalled his early prediction and the Metallica frontman’s delight with it as follows:

“I’ve made this statement many times. Hetfield reached out to me for the 1st time in almost 40 years when he heard it on SXMLiquidMetal with Jose Mangin. Told me he busted out laughing…

‘These guys (Metallica) have a lot of heart, but they’re never gonna go anywhere.'”

Upon this tweet, another Twitter user reminded him of a 2021 interview with Speak & Destroy, where the former Twisted Sister vocalist appreciated the band’s success. So, he stressed his point in that chat and wrote:

“People, please, listen! I loved the band. I go on to explain Metallica were just so uncompromising & heavy I couldn’t imagine radio or MTV ever playing them. Metallica never gave a damn inch. They did it their way. Nothing but respect for those boys. Like I said, James love it!”

Then, a fan got curious about the band members’ attitudes after decades of fame and asked:

“Did the guys from Metallica really remain down to earth despite the success and glory? I hope so! It seems they still are, and I find it inspiring that rockstars like Metallica and you [are] still able to remain true to who you are and be connected to people.”

Referring to the last time he talked to Hetfield and the others, Snider explained:

“Last time I saw the guys was after our tour in Holland when they came to congratulate us on our success at the Cow Palace in San Fran. Very down to earth. Just spoke to James for the first time in 39 years a few months ago. Sounded the same to me!“

You can read the Twitter thread below.

I've made this statement many times. Hetfield reached out to me for the 1st time in almost 40 years when he heard it on @SXMLiquidMetal with @josemangin. Told me he busted out laughing…

"These guys (@Metallica) have a lot of heart, but they're never gonna go anywhere." https://t.co/8hslbke0Nt

— Dee Snider🇺🇸🎤 (@deesnider) June 10, 2023

PEOPLE PLEASE LISTEN! I loved the band. I go on to explain @Metallica were just so uncompromising & heavy I couldn't imagine radio or MTV ever playing them. Metallica never gave a damn inch. They did it their way. Nothing but respect for those boys.

Like I said, James love it! https://t.co/fL8RgD4wjI

— Dee Snider🇺🇸🎤 (@deesnider) June 10, 2023

Last time I saw the guys was after our tour in Holland when they came to congratulate us on our success at the Cow Palace in San Fran. Very down to earth.

Just spoke to James for the first time in 39 years a few months ago. Sounded the same to me! https://t.co/q7g8XNCqnN

— Dee Snider🇺🇸🎤 (@deesnider) June 10, 2023