Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell has something to say to Metallica. A “Pack of Bastards.” Eric Bell says that they failed to compensate him during his guesting with them in 1999.
Eric Bell performed with them in Dublin to play a rendition of “Whiskey in the Jar,” which Metallica covered in 1998, a song originally written and recorded by Thin Lizzy.
Bell told the story with Irish Sun that when Metallica invited him to perform, he flew from the U.K. to Dublin on the band’s private jet — and when he got back home, he was expecting to get paid.
“It was about half three in the morning,” he said. “The transport was all lined up, and there was a car to take me home. I was quietly expecting about two grand, which wouldn’t have meant a thing to them. But I got handed over a big ball of Metallica T-shirts, key rings and hats. I got paid fuck all. Then they all fucked off.”
However, in the newspaper Bill has noted that: “there was no agreement on the fee.” And also admitted he signed a paper without reading it first after the show.
“It wasn’t until I was sitting in my car on the way home I realized they hadn’t paid me,” he said. “I thought I’d get something in the post, but [I didn’t hear a word]. Later, somebody tried to get in touch with Metallica to get me something but they found it impossible and they gave up.”
He adds:
“they are a pack of bastards. I couldn’t believe what they did, especially as they are so well off. I should have been paid £2,000 but got fuck all. It’s pure ignorance really. … If Metallica ever asked me to guest with them again, I’d ask for five grand in advance — in cash, so I’d know I had it in my pocket.”
“If somebody puts a form in front of me in future,” he concluded, “I will read it.”
Listen to Metallica Featuring Eric Bell Performing Whiskey In A Jar: