The Sad Truths Behind Lars Ulrich’s Life

Lars Ulrich faced plenty of challenges, but nothing stopped him from becoming a heavy metal legend. Through every tough moment, he pushed forward, building a career that earned him the title of “god of heavy metal.” Despite the obstacles, he carved out his own place in rock history, proving that determination and passion can overcome even the hardest times. Here’s a look at some of the most difficult moments he endured on his way to success.

Lars Ulrich’s Tennis Dreams Fell Short but Led to Metallica

Before becoming Metallica’s legendary drummer, Lars Ulrich had his sights set on a career in professional tennis. Growing up in Denmark, he was one of the top-ranked players in the country. However, when his family moved to the U.S., he quickly realized the competition was much tougher.

“In Denmark, I was ranked high enough to be one of the best tennis players in the country, but there’s only 5 million people there,” Ulrich told Metal Hammer. “When we came to Newport Beach, I wasn’t good enough to get on the tennis team at Corona del Mar High School. I wasn’t one of the best 10 tennis players in the street that I lived on!”

Instead of following in his father Torben’s footsteps, Ulrich shifted gears. Inspired by bands like Iron Maiden and Motörhead, he poured his energy into music, leading him to co-found Metallica and change rock history forever.

Lars Ulrich Started as a Terrible Drummer

After giving up on tennis, Lars Ulrich poured all his energy into drumming—but his early attempts didn’t impress anyone. In 1981, James Hetfield and Ron McGovney were searching for a new drummer after losing Jim Mulligan. When Ulrich auditioned, his skills left much to be desired.

“I thought Lars was the worst drummer I had ever heard in my life!” McGovney admitted. “He couldn’t keep a beat, and compared to Mulligan, he just couldn’t play. So, I told James, ‘This guy sucks, dude.’”
Despite the rough start, Ulrich refused to quit. His dedication paid off, and he not only improved—he became the driving force behind Metallica’s legendary sound.

James Hetfield Struggled with Lars Ulrich’s Differences

Before Metallica officially formed, Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield worked on songs together—but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Hetfield, already frustrated by Ron McGovney’s doubts about Ulrich’s drumming, also found it hard to connect with the Danish newcomer’s cultural differences.

In an interview with Playboy, Hetfield admitted, “There were so many different things about him. His mannerisms, his looks, his accent, his attitude, his smell. He smelled — he smelled like Denmark, I guess. They have a different view on bathing. We use soap in America.”

Despite these early tensions, the duo overcame their differences, forging one of the greatest partnerships in metal history.

Metallica Almost Kicked Lars Ulrich Out

Lars Ulrich may have co-founded Metallica in 1981, but his place in the band wasn’t always secure. After Cliff Burton and Kirk Hammett replaced Ron McGovney and Dave Mustaine, Metallica seemed to have settled into a solid lineup. However, behind the scenes, tensions were still brewing—so much so that Ulrich was nearly forced out.

Scott Ian, the leader of Anthrax, got to know the band well while touring with them in 1986. According to him, the other members were planning to replace Ulrich as soon as they returned home. However, Burton’s tragic death changed everything, and the decision was never carried out.

Years later, Mustaine recalled the situation, telling Rolling Stone, “That’s what Scott told me. He said that when Metallica got home, that James, Cliff and Kirk were going to fire Lars.” Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, Ulrich remained in the band, cementing his place as one of metal’s most influential drummers.

The Tragic Loss of Cliff Burton

Cliff Burton’s sudden passing in 1986 was a devastating blow to Metallica, especially for Lars Ulrich. While on tour in Sweden, the band’s bus crashed in the middle of the night, flipping onto its side while all four members were asleep.

In Justice for All: The Truth About Metallica, Joel McIver described the accident, noting that James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and Ulrich miraculously escaped with only minor injuries. However, Burton wasn’t as lucky, and his tragic loss left an irreplaceable void in the band’s history.

Lars Ulrich’s Perfectionism Frustrated His Bandmates

Lars Ulrich’s meticulous approach to recording didn’t always sit well with his Metallica bandmates. The 1992 documentary A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica captured moments where his production style caused tension, particularly with Jason Newsted, the band’s newest member at the time.

Newsted later vented his frustration in an interview with The Guardian, saying, “Insisting on one more take and changing the snare head every take.” He continued, “On the 60th take of ‘Nothing Else Matters,’ it’s like: ‘Come on, man! What the f**, dude?’ I love Lars to pieces, but I don’t see why we have to do it 70 times. Can we just f****** play the music?” Despite the friction, Ulrich’s perfectionism helped shape Metallica’s sound, proving that sometimes, pushing limits leads to greatness.

The Heartbreaking Loss of Lars Ulrich’s Mother

Lars Ulrich shared a close bond with his parents, Torben and Lone, who were always supportive of his music career. In 1998, tragedy struck when his mother, Lone, passed away after a tough battle with cancer.

In Justice for All: The Truth About Metallica, Joel McIver detailed how her illness gradually worsened until she could no longer fight. Her unexpected passing deeply affected Ulrich, leaving a lasting impact on the drummer. Despite his grief, he continued pushing forward, honoring her unwavering support throughout his journey.

Lars Ulrich’s Short-Lived Record Label

In 1998, Lars Ulrich teamed up with Metallica’s former tour accountant, Tim Duffy, to launch a record label called The Music Company, under the major studio Elektra. Their goal was to sign and promote up-and-coming rock bands, including The Brand New Immortals, DDT, and Goudie. However, none of these groups managed to gain much traction.

One exception was Systematic, a California-based band featuring former Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph. Their debut album, Somewhere in Between, saw moderate success, selling over 70,000 copies in just two years. Despite this, The Music Company never took off, making it one of Ulrich’s few ventures that didn’t reach the heights of Metallica’s success.

Lars Ulrich’s Ongoing Battle with Hearing Loss

Decades of playing heavy metal at full volume have taken a toll on Lars Ulrich’s hearing. His struggles began in 1988 when he developed severe tinnitus during a tour. At the time, he hadn’t used any ear protection, which only made things worse.

The ringing in his ears became so intense that he often mistook it for outside noise. “I started to awaken to sounds that weren’t actually in the room,” he recalled, once believing a persistent ringing was coming from the TV. Despite his hearing issues, Ulrich continues to perform, though he now takes better precautions to protect his ears.

Lars Ulrich’s Rocky Love Life: Two Divorces

Even rock stars aren’t immune to heartbreak, and Lars Ulrich has been through his fair share. The Metallica drummer has gone through two divorces, both during major moments in his career.

His first marriage, to Debbie Jones, ended in the late 1980s. According to The Mirror, other Metallica members were also dealing with relationship troubles at the time. In 2004, Ulrich divorced his second wife, Skylar Satenstein. By then, he seemed unfazed—perhaps because he had already been through it once before. Despite these setbacks, Ulrich has continued to focus on his music and personal life.

The Loss of Timi Hansen Hit Lars Ulrich Hard

Lars Ulrich has faced many losses, but the passing of Danish bassist Timi Hansen in 2019 was especially tough. Hansen, known for his work with King Diamond and Mercyful Fate, had a major influence on Ulrich’s musical journey.

Reflecting on his friend’s death, Ulrich shared a heartfelt tribute: “Incredibly saddened to hear the news of Timi Hansen’s untimely passing. He was not only a close friend of mine and a close friend of the band’s, but he was part of a musical force that helped shape Metallica’s sound, direction & desire to be in a hard rock band.”

Lars Ulrich’s Drumming Has Faced Criticism Over the Years

As Metallica’s founding drummer, Lars Ulrich has cemented his place in heavy metal history. However, not everyone has always been convinced of his skills. Even James Hetfield initially had doubts about Ulrich’s ability to make it as a rock star.

Despite his success, critics have often questioned his drumming technique. In an interview with So What!, Ulrich acknowledged the ongoing criticism, sharing how interviewers have mentioned it to him directly: “When people say Lars Ulrich is a s**** drummer, I defend you.”

Love him or not, Ulrich’s impact on metal is undeniable, and his drumming continues to fuel Metallica’s legendary sound.