Metallica label co-founder Jon Zazula has died at the age of 69.
Jon’s passing comes just a year after the death of his wife Marsha, who he co-founded Megaforce Records with in the 80s.
She died last year aged 68 after a battle with cancer.
Jon’s daughter Rikki confirmed the sad news on Facebook, saying that her dad’s legacy would “live on forever”.
She wrote: “The world lost a true legend today… Our Dad lived a life as fast, hard, heavy, powerful, and, impactful as the music he brought to the world. His passion and persistence fuelled the careers of arguably the most influential metal bands, and, industry greats of a generation.”
Rikki went on: “To us he was simply daddy… Our father and mother were a powerhouse partnership in love, life, and business. Together they believed in the unbelievable, their passion, rebel perspective, and persistence built an empire from a box of vinyl in a flea market – into a multi platinum selling record label, management company, and publishing house.”
“Although we are devastated he is gone, they are finally reunited,” she said.
“And it feels impossible to imagine a world without him in it.
“For all of us who knew and loved him … by the way… keep it heavy! RIP daddy you will truly be deeply missed, but, never forgotten…your LegaZ will live on forever, not only in us and your grandchildren, but, in every headbanger on this planet for all of eternity!”
Jon and Marsha founded Megaforce in 1982 to publish Metallica’s early work.
Other artists that have been on the label include Anthrax, They Might Be Giants and Lostprohets.
Metallica were among those to pay tribute, saying “heavy music lost one of its great champions today when Jonny Z left this world far too soon”.
They posted on Twitter: “In 1982, when no one wanted to take a chance on four kids from California playing a crazy brand of metal, Jonny and Marsha did, and the rest, as they say, is history. He was a mentor, a manager, a label head and a father figure to us all . . . Metallica would not be who we are or where we are today without Jon Zazula and his wife, Marsha.”
The band sent “love and sympathy” to Jon’s family and said they hoped they would take some comfort in knowing that he was reunited with Marsha.
They ended by saying: “Hopefully there’s a great show goin’ on up there tonight to welcome you! We’ll miss you Jonny!
“James, Lars, Kirk & Robert.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
