James Hetfield

Metallica front man James Hetfield told iHeartRadio that he used to give in to fan demands because he worried that refusal would paint him in a negative light. “I used to get so worried that if I say, ‘No. My kids are here, I’m enjoying a family moment,’ that they’ll turn around and say, ‘You’re a dick! What a rock star!”

Eventually his accommodation took its toll. So, he came up with a compromise that would make the fans happy and also afford him a bit of normalcy. “I don’t do photos, I don’t sign, I will shake your hand and I’ll talk with you for five minutes. I’d rather do that and leave that kind of impression than someone just stealing a little piece of your privacy.”