James Hetfield says ex-Metallica bassist should attend Hall Of Fame

Metallica frontman James Hetfield told Rolling Stone in a new interview that former bassist Jason Newsted should be onstage with the band if they are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame early next year. But he also added that former guitarist Dave Mustaine, who was fired in 1983 and went on to form Megadeth, should not. Hetfield explained, "Everyone that played on a record should be there. You're considered for the Hall 25 years after your first recording, not after you formed... (Mustaine) wasn't on a record. Jason Newsted should be up there -- he was in the band for 14 years and played on quite a few records -- and so should (current bass player) Robert Trujillo."

Hetfield doesn't expect the ceremony to be "weird" with Newsted there, saying, "There's no reason for it to be weird. We don't want to be part of the soap opera of the Hall of Fame. Everybody wants to see a train wreck, like with Blondie onstage arguing over crap (at the 2006 ceremony). That really cheapens the moment."

The singer and guitarist also revealed that he wrote a yet-to-be-released song called "Shine" at the 2006 Hall of Fame ceremony, when Metallica inducted Black Sabbath. Hetfield said the song "will come out sometime."

Nominees for the Hall of Fame are eligible on the 25th anniversary of their debut release under their official name. Metallica's debut album, Kill 'Em All, came out in 1983.

Five artists will be chosen for induction, with the final list to be announced in January. The ceremony is set for April 4th at Cleveland's Public Hall, with tickets made available to the public.

Metallica is on the road behind their latest album, Death Magnetic, and next plays on Monday (November 17th) in St. Louis