The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal

Metallica at midlife: Less alcohol, more tofu and a blockbuster tour

By Chris Kornelis

24 Aug 2023 · 4 min read

informed Summary

  1. Metallica, the heavy-metal band that started touring in the 1980s, is still on the road, playing to some of its biggest audiences and grossing upward of $10 million a night. The band members, now in their 50s and 60s, have replaced alcohol with healthier habits like eating tofu and getting a good night's sleep.

When Metallica started touring in the 1980s, the San Francisco heavy-metal band built a massive following, sold millions of records and more than earned its nickname: Alcoholica.

Forty years later, Metallica is still on the road, playing to some of its biggest audiences of its career and grossing upward of $10 million a night. But they’re exercising temperance now: Instead of cases of beer and bottles of booze, the band is fueled by Peloton, tofu and a good night’s sleep.

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