When Metallica and Lady Gaga Took the Stage at the Grammy Awards
It’s a moment forever cemented in Grammy history—James Hetfield, Metallica’s legendary frontman, and global pop icon Lady Gaga, standing side by side, unleashing a blistering rendition of *Moth Into Flame*. Their unexpected yet electrifying collaboration took center stage at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards on February 12, 2017, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The fusion of metal and pop, embodied by these two powerhouses, resulted in one of the most talked-about performances of the night.
The idea for this groundbreaking partnership was born in an unlikely setting—a casual dinner gathering at Bradley Cooper’s home. Among the guests were Metallica’s drummer Lars Ulrich and Lady Gaga, who shared a mutual admiration for music that transcended genres. Ulrich later recalled that during their conversation, inspiration struck. “We were sitting next to each other, and I just thought, ‘This could be amazing.’ So I asked her, ‘We’re performing at the Grammys in a couple of months, would you like to join us?’ and she immediately said, ‘Yes, that would be great!’” Below is the exclusive dress rehearsal footage for their highly anticipated collaboration.
Gaga’s enthusiasm for the project wasn’t just a fleeting interest—her passion for heavy metal had been well-documented. A devoted fan of Iron Maiden and Anthrax, she frequently cited Metallica as one of her musical inspirations. She even once mentioned *Metal Militia*, a track from their debut album, as a personal favorite. Determined to give the performance her all, she arrived at rehearsals long before Metallica, refining every detail. James Hetfield himself applauded her dedication during an interview on *The Howard Stern Show*, describing her as “fearless, endlessly creative, and an artist with no limits.”
However, despite their meticulous preparation, the Grammy night itself was anything but smooth. The performance introduction by actress Laverne Cox failed to mention Metallica at all, an omission that did not go unnoticed by fans. She later issued a public apology on Twitter for the oversight. But the real trouble began once the band launched into the song—Hetfield’s microphone was completely dead, rendering his vocals inaudible for the audience.
Recognizing the problem in real time, Gaga acted fast. Instead of allowing the technical mishap to derail the moment, she leaned into Hetfield’s space, urging him to share her microphone. This impromptu decision turned an embarrassing technical failure into an unexpectedly intimate rock moment. What could have been a disaster was salvaged by her quick thinking, transforming it into a raw, high-energy duet. Watch the full Grammy performance below:
Once the performance concluded, Hetfield was visibly frustrated, angrily tossing his guitar offstage. Speaking about the incident later, he admitted, “I felt embarrassed. I haven’t been that angry in a long time.” Ulrich echoed his sentiment in an appearance on *The Late Late Show*, revealing that backstage, emotions were running high. The source of the microphone failure? A simple yet catastrophic mistake—a stagehand had accidentally unplugged a cable just before the performance began.
Despite the setback, Hetfield later reflected on the experience with a surprisingly positive outlook. Speaking to the *New York Post*, he noted, “In a way, it turned out to be a blessing. I ended up singing into a microphone with Lady Gaga—maybe more than she expected—but it made the whole thing feel like a real collaboration.” What could have been remembered solely for its technical difficulties instead became a unique rock moment that fans would never forget.
For many artists, a disrupted performance of this magnitude might have led to frustration or overshadowed the night’s triumphs. But for Metallica and Lady Gaga, their resilience and ability to improvise proved why they are both titans in their respective fields. Instead of letting a glitch define them, they used it as an opportunity to showcase professionalism, adaptability, and the raw energy of live music.
Years later, their Grammy collaboration remains one of the most discussed moments in the event’s history. It wasn’t just a performance—it was a bold statement that heavy metal and pop could collide in spectacular fashion. Though far from perfect, the energy, chemistry, and pure commitment displayed by both artists ensured that it left a lasting imprint on fans and industry veterans alike.
