Can't he just modify the way he rocks onstage? Maybe it's not as simple as that as he's flat out retiring, but maybe a more controlled presence would work for him?
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Jason Newsted retires
- Thread starter ChorusPedal88
- Start date
Live rock-and-roll is a lot harder on the body than a lot of people think.
I know several drummers age 40 or older and every single one of them has back issues. Thankfully not enough to keep any of them from playing, but it's something they all have to deal with.
I know several drummers age 40 or older and every single one of them has back issues. Thankfully not enough to keep any of them from playing, but it's something they all have to deal with.
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
If he's done, I will have been denied seeing his act live. But guys get hungry for the stage, especially when it's their forte.
Maybe, after he gets some rest and some physical therapy, he'll reconsider. At least I hope so.
I'm pretty sure Brett Favre (no, he doesn't play bass) retired a few times...
Maybe, after he gets some rest and some physical therapy, he'll reconsider. At least I hope so.
I'm pretty sure Brett Favre (no, he doesn't play bass) retired a few times...
I call Bulls**t on this one. What does "afraid he'll get hurt again" mean? I think his bandmates in Voivod are pimping him to get some newsprint. Jason will play live again. He just won't tour with Voivod on the smaller venues they will be playing on their upcoming tour. Hell, Jason is used to stadium gigs and private jets. Is this really a surprise to anyone that he will not tour with Voivod once the album is completed?
They had to come up with some reason -- so "afraid he'll get hurt again" is the best they could do. When the gig is important enough, I guarantee Jason will take the stage again.
They had to come up with some reason -- so "afraid he'll get hurt again" is the best they could do. When the gig is important enough, I guarantee Jason will take the stage again.
Atleast we can still hear his studio work 
? Lets be thankful it wasn't a forced retirement like Cliff 
? Lets be thankful it wasn't a forced retirement like Cliff The Voivod CD's been completed. They are out live and have been a while. Blacky replaced Jason before the tour. I liked Jason in Flotsam. I was so excited when he got the Metallica gig, but Metallica sucked the life out of him and themselves. Most overrated band ever. Just never did him "Justice" (yes, pun intended). Metallica never used his creativity and smothered him. I think that Dave Mustaine and Cliff had a lot more to do with the earlier stuff than people realize. I feel for Jason and the abuses he's gone through. The Voivod CD is pretty darn good though. He's kind of like Jake E. Lee in Ozzy in following Cliff. Lots of pressure to replace such a reputation. I remember seeing Cliff and he passed four months later. Ironically they opened for Ozzy.
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
I saw Jason in the Flotsam days in Phoenix, and remember them to be pretty good. I didn't know it was him, obviously, because he only became "famous" when he joined Metallica.
After seeing the "Classic Albums" show, it's clear that when Jason joined, James and Lars were still grieving Cliff. At the time, they were immature, selfish and on a power trip, so they took it out on him.
In the program, they showed how some of the songs were written: Kirk comes up with a riff; James and Lars like it, but feel like they need to change it; Jason adds a killer bass line; James and Lars put only their names to it. Bulls#!t !!! That's collaboration. All of their names should be on it.
They basically treated Jason (and Kirk, for that matter) like an employee, rather than a bandmate. As a professional, he grew sick of it and finally left...and never looked back. Good for him!
Wait...you're saying you think Jason is 'retiring' because he doesn't want to play small venues with Voivod? That's rediculous. Jason has played way smaller gigs than any that Voivod would do. Echobrain played a ton of small clubs. He played little gigs with the Moss Brothers and Papa Wheelie. To me, it seems like Jason has always been all about the music, and not the money, fame, or ego. I highly doubt he would make up an excuse like that to get out of playing some small gigs just because he's too used to playing stadiums.
+ 1. Totally true. He and (Cliff) were the most down to earth people Metallica and play(ed) because they loved to first and foremost.
can't play..or can't headbang...Sorely tried by various injuries, Jason Newsted now prefers to concentrate on studio work.
"He had several operations of the shoulders and neck. He is not likely to do live performances ever again, because he is afraid of getting hurt again, "said Denis "Snake" Bélanger [Voivod].
"Even in the beginning, it was not sure that he would complete the new album. One day he called us to tell us was ready to go and the day after playing he was in agony. He has helped us a lot to get this project going."
Despite his retirement from the stage, it is not out of the question that Newsted may make an appearance at an upcoming Voivod concert.
"It could happen," said Belanger, but I'm not sure he could do the full show. It could be only a few songs. "
--Voivod
I guess all that headbanging finally took its toll, thanks for the memories and smooth bass playing Jason
...i remember many years
ago a lady here with full length leg braces used to play bars every night....she leaned on a bar stool,propped her crutches on an amp,played guitar and sang,and in those days live bands did six nights a week and often afternoons..
...there are lots of guys that figured out a way to play with disabilities....i suspect that this has more to do with the image than anything else.......
I'm saying look at the source...This is the guitarist in Voivod announcing Jason's retirement -- not Jason himself. Why? (1) Because Jason is not, in fact, "retiring"; (2) Because Voivod needs an explanation as to why Jason's not touring with them; (3) All of the above.
I vote for (3). As for Jason playing smaller stages, yes, absolutely right. He has done it in the past and will do it again. I am not calling him a snob by any means. I knew Cliff well, and have met Jason on several occasions. I have nothing but respect for him.
What I am saying is that the "thrill" of riding around in a Winnebago playing 200 seat clubs has no appeal to him at this point. He would rather stay home and work in his studio on his side projects. Sure, he will fly to a city to do a various one-night-only gig here or there. But that is not "retirement" due to an injury. That is a lifestyle choice he has made.
So, let me be clear. I am not casting judgment on anything that Jason is doing or not doing. I am only calling BS on the press release statement made by Voivod.
I love Jason! Hes an insane player its a shame to hear this! Hes impacted me so much!To be fair, most musicians usually don't do much to take care of their body. With the exception of some pop singers (where image is very important), most of them have never seen the inside of a gym or know anything about nutrition. Then one day they are 40+ with no muscle tone jumping around on a stage like a 20-year old and things start to break down...
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
I understand you were generalizing - not necessarily speaking of any bassist in particular - and I'm no expert on JN's fitness routine, but he doesn't look like a weak, scrawny, bass player to me. My guess is that he takes care of himself well enough.
Then take another bass blayer who is pretty scrawny (albeit the best player in rock) - Geddy Lee. He just turned 56 last week and shows no sign of letting up with his career.
I understand you were generalizing - not necessarily speaking of any bassist in particular - and I'm no expert on JN's fitness routine, but he doesn't look like a weak, scrawny, bass player to me. My guess is that he takes care of himself well enough.
Are you serious? Have you ever worked out?Neusted has absolutely no muscle tone whatsoever.
jason made me pickup the bass when i was 12 years old 5 years ago. he will always be an inspiration to me. the guy has heart and loves music and what he does. i dont think he'll retire. he was born to play live.
i still can't find a reliable source that states this.
i still can't find a reliable source that states this.
How many projects has Newsted joined up with, only to flake out or crap out with some type of excuse shortly thereafter?
Let's see:
Metallica - check (he quit right in the middle of a recording session. Nice.....)
Ozzy - check
Voivod - check
Rockstar SuperNova - check
Sorry but there seems to be a pattern here....
c'mon Jason, man up and see something through already - you've already gotten more chances than most and I can't be the only guy to question your reliability and fortitude.
Let's see:
Metallica - check (he quit right in the middle of a recording session. Nice.....)
Ozzy - check
Voivod - check
Rockstar SuperNova - check
Sorry but there seems to be a pattern here....
c'mon Jason, man up and see something through already - you've already gotten more chances than most and I can't be the only guy to question your reliability and fortitude.
Are you serious? Have you ever worked out?
Well, probably in his neck he does...
