James Hetfield took to Metallica’s social media channels to pen a personal tribute to composer Ennio Morricone, who passed away at 91.
Morricone’s “The Ecstasy Of Gold” from the 1966 film The Good, The Bad And The Ugly has famously served as the opener/entrance music for Metallica since 1983 as they take to the stage before a concert.
Hetfield wrote, “The day we first played ‘The Ecstasy of Gold’ as our new intro in 1983 it was magic! It has become apart of our blood flow, deep breathing, fist bumping, prayers and band huddle pre-show ritual ever since. I have sang that melody thousands of times to warm up my throat before hitting the stage.”
Hetfield continued, “Thank you Ennio for pumping us up, being a big part of our inspiration, and a bonding between band, crew, and fan. I will forever think of you as part of the Metallica family.”
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GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: Jason Newsted (L) and Robert Trujillo of Metallica perform onstage during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (L-R) Musicians James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett of Metallica attend the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: Members of Metallica huddle onstage during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (R to L) Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Ray Burton, father of deceased Cliff Burton, Jason Newsted, James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo of Metallica stand onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
SharedCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (R to L) Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, Jason Newsted, James Hetfield,a and Ray Burton, father of deceased Cliff Burton, of Metallica stand onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (R to L) Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Jason Newsted, Ray Burton, father of deceased Cliff Burton, James Hetfield and Robert Trujiof of Metallica stand onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (R to L) Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Jason Newsted, James Hetfield, Ray Burton, father of deceased Cliff Burton,and Robert Trujillo of Metallica stand onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: Lars Ulrich (R) of Metallica speaks as Kirk Hammett (L) and Jason Newsted listen onstage during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (R to L) James Hetfield speaks as Lars Ulrich, Jason Newsted, Kirk Hammett, Ray Burton, father of deceased Cliff Burton, Robert Trujillo of Metallica watch onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: Jason Newsted (L) and Robert Trujillo of Metallica perform onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (L to R) Jason Newsted, Robert Trujillo, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich of Metallica pose in the press room during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (L to R) Jason Newsted, Robert Trujillo, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich of Metallica pose in the press room during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (L to R) Jason Newsted, Robert Trujillo, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich of Metallica pose in the press room during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (L to R) Jason Newsted, Robert Trujillo, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich of Metallica pose in the press room during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (L to R) Jason Newsted, Robert Trujillo, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich of Metallica pose in the press room during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (L-R) Kirk Hammett, Flea, Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich, Jason Newsted, James Hetfield, and Ray Burton, father of deceased Cliff Burton, of Metallica stand onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (L to R) Robert Trujillo, Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Ray Burton, father of deceased Cliff Burton, and Jason Newsted Robert Trujillo of Metallica hug onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (L to R) Robert Trujillo, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Jason Newsted Robert Trujillo of Metallica perform onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (R to L) James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich hug as Jason Newsted, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, Ray Burton, father of deceased Cliff Burton, of Metallica and Flea watch onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (R to L) James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich hug as Jason Newsted, Kirk Hammett Ray Burton, father of deceased Cliff Burton, Robert Trujillo of Metallica watch onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: James Hetfield (R) and Lars Ulrich of Metallica perform onstage during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: (L-R) Robert Trujillo, Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Jason Newsted and Lars Ulrich of Metallica stand onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield amd Robert Trujillo of Metallica perform onstage during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: James Hetfield of Metallica performs onstage during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
GALLERY: Metallica’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ShareCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: James Hetfield (R) speaks as Lars Ulrich, Jason Newsted, Kirk Hammett, Ray Burton, father of deceased Cliff Burton, Robert Trujillo of Metallica and Flea listen onstage at the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
