Metal Legend Jon Zazula Tells His Tale

Jon Zazula aka Jonny Z is the man who signed Metallica, was their first manager and facilitated the recording of their first two albums. He founded Megaforce Records, the pioneering metal record label that launched the careers of Anthrax, Overkill, Testament, Mercyful Fate, Raven, S.O.D. and King’s X, among many other now household names. And he ran the Rock N’ Roll Heaven stores in in East Brunswick and Clark that introduced scores of Tri-State Area rock fans and beyond to the best stateside and overseas metal as the genre took off in the early 1980s.

To say Jonny Z is a notable figure in metal history is a Titanic-sized understatement. Zazula is an industry legend who has influenced and helped shape the listening habits of millions of metal fans the world over, with a gigantic assist from his wife Marsha. He’s also the man who brought metal to the major labels. Make no mistake: Jon Zazula didn’t jump on the metal bandwagon; he created it through hard work and an unwavering dedication and commitment to the cause.

Now, Zazula is telling his story in his biography, “Heavy Tales: The Metal. The Music. The Madness. As Lived By Jon Zazula" (out Oct. 29). It’s a tale of perseverance against all odds; an incomparable drive to bring metal to the masses; believing in yourself and getting up from the mat even stronger with every roadblock that knocks you down, all while battling manic-depressive disorder, a tall order that would have many throwing in the towel. But not Zazula.

In “Heavy Tales” Zazula tells countless stories of euphoric highs and depressing lows, from staging huge shows like the legendary Roseland Ballroom 1984 showcase featuring Metallica, Raven and Anthrax and forging relationships with major labels, to having the door slammed in his face and nearly losing everything he worked so hard to attain. There are also great and humorous tales of times hanging out with the bands and other industry adventures.

Ultimately, it’s the story of a man who achieved great success and a lasting legacy as not only a genre Godfather but also as a man whose supreme work ethic and inimitable determination knew no boundaries. A legend indeed.

“Heavy Tales” will be available on Oct. 29 through amazon.com, bn.com (Barnes & Noble) and www.jonzazula.com where fans can get autographed copies. Pre-orders are being taken now. More information can also be found by visiting www.facebook.com/heavytales and www.instagram.com/thejonzazula

Zazula has two upcoming appearances at which fans can buy the book before the street date:

Thursday, Oct. 24, “An Evening With Jon Zazula" at The Cutting Room in New York City. The evening includes an in-depth interview with Zazula conducted by famed journalist Brad Tolinski, as well as performance by Motörhead tribute band Headmotör and music spun by iconic metal DJs Rockn Ray and Metal Joe of the Old Bridge Militia Foundation.

Tickets for the event are available via the Cutting Room website at https://tickets.thecuttingroomnyc.com/e/the-godfather-of-thrash-metal-jonny-z-book-launch-interview-performance-70978305021/ The cost is $19.50. The Cutting Room is located at 44 E. 32nd St., New York, NY 10010. Doors open at 6 p.m. and presentation begins at 7 p.m. Zazula will sign copies of "Heavy Tales," which will be available at the event, following the interview.

Saturday, Oct. 26, 2 to 4 p.m.: Book signing at Vintage Vinyl, 51 Lafayette Road (Fords Shopping Center). Books for the signing can be pre-ordered at www.vvinyl.com Books can also be purchaes at the store the day of the event, though pre-orders are preferred. This will be Zazula’s only New Jersey book signing.

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jonny Z.

What inspired you to tell your story at this point?

Well I retired in 2018 and I was sitting around and 3 or 4 days into my retirement I started going crazy and needed something to do. I had wanted to write a book for many years but couldn't put the timeline together. Then a fellow named Harold Claros-Maldonado called me up to do a Metallica story. I found out he was a researcher and I asked him if he'd research my life and that's when this started.

As you await the book’s release on Oct. 29, what are your thoughts?

I’ve been very scared and worried about how it will be received because I tell nothing but the truth and go into a lot of private places that most writers don't like talking about like my Bipolar Disorder. But so far people who have read it have loved it.

Chuck Billy of Testament writes in the book’s forward that you have to be a little crazy to succeed. What attributes do you think helped you thrive in the music world?

Well first of all I am crazy as Chuck says. When you read the discography of Megaforce it’s unbelievable that two or three people put out these major records every year and scored so many touchdowns with very little funding and very little manpower.

When you operated the legendary Rock N’ Roll Heaven shops were you surprised by the fans’ rabid desire for metal, especially imports?

I knew metal was an item so I wasn’t surprised. I was very heavy into it and people trusted by taste. They’d walk out with seven albums and I guaranteed they were seven great albums. I never let people down. Music was in the dark ages when metal came out. There’s a response to it physically that you don't get to other music. And metal fans are the most loyal music fans there are. I remember when Randy Rhoads died (in 1982) people came from all around. The flea market was truly a rock-and-roll heaven.

Throughout your career you experienced a lot of days of anguish and disappointment. Were you ever tempted to throw in the towel?

No. I couldn't stop. I had so much faith in what I was doing. I woke up driven every day. I had a purpose every time I opened my eyes in the morning. I just knew I had to sustain myself and make it through the hard times. I knew I was chasing a great thing.

You credit your wife Marsha as a huge factor in your success.

Marsha has been my partner and worked side-by-side with me the whole way through. We’ve been married 40 years. When I had no one to find the answer for impossible questions Marsha was there. It was Marsha who signed King’s X and picked out the first Motörhead record to sell at Rock N’ Roll Heaven. She’s my angel and I dare say that you’d find anyone who would stick with someone as crazy as me all these years.

Tell us about your two upcoming events.

On Oct. 24 I’ll be at the Cutting Room (in NYC) for a very intense Q&A with Brad Tolinski. After we’ll take questions from the audience and I have no idea what might be asked. I could be thrown for a loop. It’s going to be intense. And then at night we have Headmotör playing, the coolest tribute to Motörhead. Then on Oct. 26 I’m at Vintage Vinyl in Fords for a book signing. I can't wait to see the turnout. All of this is wonderful. I’m a normal freaking guy and it's all really wild for me.

So many metal fans and industry insiders consider you a true legend. How does it feel knowing that you’ve had such a great, positive impact on so many people?

It’s very humbling and nice to be called that but at the same time I’m just a regular guy. I did what I did and I’m happy I made a difference.