hennemusic

More info about Metallica bassist auditions over the years continues to come out.

Now, former Ramones bassman C.J Ramone says that he was invited to audition for Metallica on two separate occasions, to replace Jason Newsted, but turned down the opportunity.

A big part of the reason for C.J. turning the gig down was due to the health of his son.

"I was approached about joining Metallica, not once, but twice,” Ramone tells The Great Southern Brainfart. “When Jason [Newsted] first left the band [in 2001] they approached me. A while had gone by and they were having a hard time finding someone, so they approached me again. At the time my son had been diagnosed with autism and there was just no way I could leave him."

"Johnny [Ramone] was actually the one who hooked me up with the audition because he was friends with [Metallica guitarist] Kirk Hammett” C.J. explained. “I talked to my son's doctor and explained the opportunity and that I could bring my family out on the road and even hire a nurse. The doctor just told me that my son needed to wake up in the same place every day, he needs to have meals at the same time every day and he needs to go to school every day and be around other kids. He said that anything other than that could be a detriment."

"I was honored that they asked me but there was just no way I could do it,” said Ramone. “The beautiful part about it all is that now my son is in regular classes at school. He's on the high honor roll and he's even starting his own band now with a couple of friends of his. The change in him from when he was a kid is amazing. I'm not taking credit for it all. There were a lot of people who helped him along the way. If I had not been here, I don't know that the outcome would have been as good and that totally justifies my decision.”

"I have no regrets. It would've been great to play with Metallica after being in the Ramones. Jesus, that would be just like a too-perfect life [laughs]."

“Believe me, it would’ve been great. I would’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve always been a huge metal fan. Black Sabbath is absolutely my favorite band of all time. I loved all that really dark stuff. Playing in Metallica would have been a second dream come true but, like I said, things worked out really good for my son and I have no remorse and no regrets.”

There’s more…check out the full C.J. session at The Great Southern Brainfart here.

In 1989, C.J Ramone joined the band to replace original bassist Dee Dee Ramone; C.J. played with the Ramones until they retired following their final show on August 6, 1996.