Bill Hale captures a moment in another time.
Megadeth: Another Time, A Different Place by Bill Hale
written by Rusty Conner
Some years ago, when Lone Star Metal was just starting out, I came across an individual named Bill Hale. Upon first hearing the name, I had no clue who he was, or just how important he was in the foundation of the California, and world, Metal scene in the early 80s. Bill was the photographer for Metal Rendezvous, a rag turned magazine that covered the growing Metal scene in the Bay Area and beyond. Bill was present at the birth and rise of Metallica, and has the book out to prove it, Metallica: Club Dayz 1982-1984. You can buy the book here. Lone Star Metal was among the first to interview Bill, and this was the reason our paths first crossed.
When I spoke with him, I discovered Bill is a kindred spirit to LSM. Like us, he wanted to capture the passion and magic a scene of degenerates could invoke. His first book is a pictorial documentary of the rise of one of the greatest Thrash bands to come out of California, despite their current standing. From his intimate relationship with Metallica, he formed the greatest bond with its most infamous member, Dave Mustaine. “I think it was his ‘IN-YOUR-FACE’ attitude that I found cool,” states Hale in his forward. I find it only logical that his next book is about Megadeth.
Megadeth: Another Time, A Different Place is “not a capsule of present day Megadeth, nor the future Megadeth” according to Hale. This is a piece of Megadeth history, early history, that puts photos of Dave, David Ellefson, Marty Friedman, Chuck Behler, Mike Albert, Gar Samuelson, and Chris Poland together for the first time. The forward by Dave Mustaine shows the affection he has for Bill, and his appreciation for his diligence in photographing every moment, though unwelcome at times.
This is not just a book of live shots from the early years, but a story told in pictures of a young man trying to make his mark on the world, and escaping the shadow of his former band. The candid shots in this book are far more precious than Dave and crew in their element onstage, although the live shots are outstanding. Bill captured a moment in time we can never get back, and the excitement of the time shines through with every shot. In an age devoid of digital cameras and PhotoShop, Bill Hale reigned supreme with just his eye and a roll of film.
