Robert Trujillo On Motown, Geddy Lee And 20 Years In Metallica

Here’s part 2 of my interview with Robert Trujillo of Metallica, as we get ready for another show Sunday night with Five Finger Death Punch and Ice Nine Kills. We started off the conversation this time talking about the impact that Motown had on him. “That was 100% in my wheelhouse.” He told me about growing up listening to that music, and then being turned onto rock and metal. “There isn’t a bass player in rock, in metal, and sort of in modern music, that’s serious about their instrument that doesn’t respect those bass lines coming out of Detroit”. That led us to more bass talk and guys who inspired him. Robert talked about Detroit’s “swagger” and all the history and music from here. “There’s a soulfulness to it.” He also talked about his love for Houdini and everything he did in the Motor City. I had to ask him about the upcoming project he has coming out with the legendary RUSH bass player, Geddy Lee. He spoke to really getting a chance to hang with Geddy. “He wanted to know what it’s like in the world of Robert Trujillo” Robert was fired up about the whole experience “It was really, really cool.” He told a story about Geddy watching his son play at a local bar. He said people were blown away that the Canadian legend was there. I asked him about re-recording the Ozzy Osbourne album Diary of a Madman. “That’s an interesting story,” he said, and he was off and running about that project. He said he’s always there for Ozzy and Sharon, commenting “Ozzy is my hero”. 2003 was a monumental year for Robert. He called it the year that changed his life. “So many things happened.” He spoke about joining the band and the work ethic that playing in Metallica brings. “That’s the thing about this band, it’s always 100%”. He said when he joined the band, it was about fitting in and not bothering the other guys, but just trying to learn as he went. A huge thank you to Robert and his management Q Prime for the chance to talk with him. Also, thank you to Erin Gellert and Adan Armandriz for all the help!