When Metallica entered the studio in 1985 to craft what would become Master of Puppets, few could have imagined the unexpected names hovering around the band at the time. But according to later interviews, prog legend Geddy Lee and shred virtuoso Joe Satriani both had surprising – if indirect – connections to the era that produced one of metal’s most defining albums.
Geddy Lee: The Producer That Never Was
Lee has confirmed long-standing rumors that he discussed the possibility of producing Master Of Puppets while Metallica were preparing to record the 1986 classic.
“It’s sort of true. There was some discussion with Lars, back in the day, about working with them. This was before Master of Puppets came out, I think?” Lee revealed in an interview with Noisey. “There was talk, you know. I was friends with their management and I met Lars back in England.”
He also recalled seeing the band perform in Toronto during the early days, when bassist Cliff Burton was still in the lineup – prior to Burton‘s tragic death in a 1986 tour bus accident.
“I remember going to see them here in Toronto when they played at the Masonic Temple. That’s when the original bass player was still happening. You know, before that tragedy. And, you know, we talked about it and I liked their band a lot at that time. But it just never came together.”
Despite the mutual respect, the collaboration ultimately “just never came together.” Lee also admitted that while he admires Metallica, he was not deeply immersed in metal.
“I don’t listen to a lot,” he said. “Even though there’s an aspect of our sound that can be quite metal, I attribute it to early metal – in the way Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Blue Cheer were metal.”
The idea of Lee – known for Rush‘s intricate progressive arrangements – producing the raw, thrash assault of Master Of Puppets remains one of heavy music’s great “what ifs.” That and Les Claypool joining the band, but that’s a whole different thing. At least Geddy made the thank yous.
Joe Satriani: The Final Lessons Before Metal History
While Lee‘s involvement never materialized, Joe Satriani‘s influence was already embedded in Metallica‘s DNA.
Long before Master Of Puppets and the band’s 1988 follow-up …And Justice for All, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett was studying under Satriani in the Bay Area. At the time, Hammett was already a capable player and a member of Exodus before joining Metallica in 1983.
Satriani recently reflected on Hammett as a student: “He was such a motivated young student… He knew exactly what he wanted and he was really hungry.”
As Metallica‘s career accelerated, Hammett reportedly began taking two lessons a week from Satriani. Remarkably, Satriani revealed that the final guitar lesson he ever gave was to Hammett in early January 1988 – just before Satriani launched his own solo career and shortly before Metallica began recording …And Justice for All in Los Angeles.
“He was actually my very last student,” Satriani recalled. “The very last lesson I gave… was to Kirk.”
Though their formal teacher-student relationship ended decades ago, the bond endured. Satriani fondly remembered sharing a massive bill in Quebec City years later, opening for Metallica before a crowd of 120,000 fans.
“There’s something special when you get to hang out with somebody where you both know where you came from and you’re amazed at where you wound up,” he said.
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