Metal Godfather Jon Zazula Dead at 69 –
Jon Zazula the founder of Megaforce Records and the man who gave us so much METAL has died at age 69.
In a statement from his daughter Rikki, she announced her fathers passing on social media.
“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 fueled the careers of arguably the most influential metal bands, and, industry greats of a generation. 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. 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 Legacy will live on forever, not only in us and your grandchildren, but, in every headbanger on this planet for all of eternity!”
Jon founded Megaforce Records in the early 1980’s when he and his late wife Marsha signed Metallica after being given a copy of the band’s No Life ‘Til Leather demo by a customer at his record stand at a New Jersey flea market. He had been booking shows right here in New Jersey and is responsible for bringing us so many amazing metal bands including Overkill, Testament, Kings X and many more. An icon for sure. Rest In Metal Jon.
For more on the legacy of Jon Zazula The rest of his metal journey check out his memoir, Heavy Tales: The Metal. The Music. The Madness-
It’s an amazing Metal journey!
