Metallica in 1984; Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty ImagesMetallica and Anthrax have released statements mourning the death of Marsha Zazula, co-founder of Megaforce Records.
Zazula ran Megaforce, which was the first label to sign Metallica, with her husband, Jon “Jonny Z” Zazula. Her death was announced Sunday by her daughter. Zazula was 68.
“Rest In Peace, Marsha. Thank you for everything,” Metallica wrote in an Instagram post. “Much love to @thejonzazula & the Zazula family.”
On his own page, drummer Lars Ulrich thanked Marsha for “making it happen.”
“For supporting us, for encouraging us, for advising us, for sheltering us, for feeding us, and most importantly for cheering us on and along with your husband Jonny, believing in the possibilities of how a gang of misfits and outsiders like ourselves could connect with a larger and likeminded audience,” Ulrich wrote. “You were an incredibly selfless matriarch and we’ll be forever grateful for the impact you had on our lives. Rest In Peace.”
Anthrax, who was also first signed by Megaforce, deemed Marsha and Jon “true pioneer[s].”
“Those two were responsible for changing all our lives,” Anthrax wrote. “Hard to put into words what a world this might be without their belief and dedication to metal and all of us. Our love to her family.”
The story of Megaforce Records — and of the Zazulas’ relationship — is detailed in Jon’s 2019 book Heavy Tales: The Metal. The Music. The Madness.
By Josh Johnson
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