Metallica's origins on the eve of their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

Tomorrow night's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony includes a heavy metal band that got its start in Los Angeles. Metallica was born here in 1981 - but didn't stay long. A year later, the band moved to San Francisco, where a thriving underground network of tape traders, music writers, and DJs helped push Metallica to stardom. And in the middle of it all was KPCC's own Steven Cuevas.

Steven Cuevas: Metallica first played in San Francisco 26 years ago. The band had a demo recording that raged through the underground tape trading circuit. I was 16. Me and about 200 other kids went to every one of those early Metallica shows.

James Hetfield: Good to be back in 'Frisco! With all you, 'Friscan bangers! This one is called, "Theee Mechaaaanix!"

Cuevas: They weren't much older than us. They wore jeans, dirty sneakers, and Motorhead t-shirts. The sound was ragged, loud, and fast. We'd found our band.

["The Mechanix" by Metallica]

Brian Lew: I've always said that you know, Metallica were always one of us. They were never just a band. Especially when they moved from L.A. to San Francisco, they were everywhere.

Cuevas: Brian Lew is a friend from the old San Francisco metal scene. Back then, he was a photographer who wrote for a couple of fanzines. He convinced Metallica to record one of those early San Francisco shows on a boom box.

Lew: Since it was my birthday, I asked them if they could tape the show for me, which is pretty fortunate because the show is documented.

Hetfield: This one is dedicated to Mr. Brian Lew, whose birthday it is. It's called "Metal Militia!" (off mic) You guys are f---in' crazy, man!

Lew: And it's still my favorite piece of Metallica memorabilia because it's just such a moment in time.

Cuevas: Some of Brian's Metallica photos wound up on album covers and in rock magazines. He's stayed in touch with the band – but he was stunned when he got an invitation to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. All expenses paid. He's not the only one.

Lew: They got money and they need a fan club and they can afford us! (laughs)

Cuevas: Ron Quintana also got an invite, along with around 60 other tape traders, musicians, and DJs with pivotal roles in Metallica's evolution.

Ron Quintana: No, I am impressed. It's very interesting and flattering that they're going to invite us all. And I didn't realize it was 60, wow. Yeah, I'm sure Lars wants to ship out a bunch of Danish people so they can talk funny together!

Cuevas: Ron met Lars Ulrich in 1981 before the Danish drummer formed Metallica. They bonded over a love of obscure British metal bands like Angelwitch and Diamond Head.

Quintana: Well I found my tape deck that Lars broke at my house, and now I have a sign on it: "Lars broke this, 1981, playing Diamond Head tape over and over!" (laughs)

[Diamond Head: "Am I evil, yes I am / Am I evil, I am man, yes I am..."]

Cuevas: Ron Quintana's place in Metallica history was cemented that year. He wanted to launch a heavy metal fanzine – and Lars offered up a few names.

Quintana: Super Charger! (laughs)

Cuevas: Ron's names were better.

Quintana: Heavy Duty Pounder! (laughing) There was another: Wooorg! Skull Orchard, Metal Mania, Metallica.

Cuevas: Ron took Metal Mania, Lars pinched "Metallica." He acknowledged the theft 25 years ago in a promo for Ron's college radio show.

Lars Ulrich (radio promo): Hello! This is Lars from Metallica and we would personally like to thank Ron McGooo, no, no Quintano. Ron Quintan-oh, for the name. And remember kids: You're Metallica – so listen to KUSF.

Cuevas: There were only a few hundred of us "Metallica kids" then. There are millions now. The number grew even as the band battled through creative differences, alcohol, and the shattering loss of bassist Cliff Burton in a fatal tour bus crash in 1986.

Last year, Metallica released "Death Magnetic" – its most vibrant album in 20 years. In Cleveland this weekend, it'll even reunite onstage with estranged bassist Jason Newsted – who quit the band almost 10 years ago.

Lew: The Hall of Fame thing is turning into their like final group session or something.

Cuevas: Brian Lew.

Lew: They came back around to this moment where all those former negative things they've put to rest. Like they're using it as an excuse to bury the hatchet with Jason and have a reunion with people from their past. It's not even really about the industry for them.

["Metal Militia" plays]

Cuevas: Nope, it's about taking it back to 1982, surrounding yourself with friends, and "joining together to take on the world with our heavy metal."

["Joining together to take on the world with our heavy metal! Oh through the mist and madness we try to get the message to you! Metal Militia!"]