Metallica / Saxon 3-27-1982 Concert Ticket Stub Whisky A Go Go 2nd Show Ever

  

Metallica / Saxon March 27, 1982 Concert Ticket Stub #0091 from the Whisky A Go Go club, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California - 2nd Show Ever! Offered here is quite possibly the Holy Grail of Metallica collectibles! To the best of my knowledge this is the earliest known Metallica ticket stub. Although Metallica's name does not appear on the stub as the opening band, the information is readily available online. It is from the very beginning of Metallica's illustrious career as the trailblazers of Thrash Metal more than 43 years ago!

This box office ticket stub is from their second show ever, and their first significant show. As such, it is, by it's nature, one of the most historic Metallica items in existence! On this night Metallica opened for NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) band Saxon for two sets. However the setlists are both listed on Metallica's website under Past Tour Dates. Metallica has referenced this show on numerous occasions as one of the highlights in their storied history.

This is only the third example of this stub I have seen in all my years of collecting tickets and Metallica memorabilia, with the others residing in private collections. It is unlikely that there are any more than a few other examples in existence.

Metallica's first live show was about two weeks prior on March 14, 1982 at a club called Radio City in Anaheim, California. The band members for these shows were James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine (founder of Megadeth), and original bassist Ron McGovney (later replaced by Cliff Burton).

I have never seen a stub from that show, and admission was likely paid at the door. If no stubs actually exist for the Radio City show, this would be their earliest possible stub. This stub was printed using a letterpress or block format printing variety so common to that era, and as such, is unfortunately NOT eligible for encapsulation by either PSA or BGS, who no longer encapsulate this type of printed stub. Their policy is similar for ink stamped tickets and some, but not all, trading cards.

However, anyone familiar with stubs from the 1970s and 1980s in California will recognize that many of the club and smaller venue tickets were printed this way. Punk, Metal, Thrash, New Wave, etc.

I have hundreds of examples from many venues with similar printing. I personally removed this stub from a vintage period scrapbook consisting of concert stubs from that era, and have the photos. The stub measures 1.50" x 2.25" in size. It is a pinkish salmon color, but more pink than orange. It may appear more orange in the photographs than the scans. The crease on the reverse is very light and difficult to photograph or scan. It starts at the stray ink mark on the right edge and extends diagonally 1/2 to the top edge. I included extra photos of the crease, as well as with a generic guitar pick (not included) for size comparison. An image of a flyer featuring both band's names (not included) is also pictured for reference. Stub is currently located in New Jersey. Sale is final for this stub. References available to serious buyers. Rare opportunity to fill THE gaping hole in even the most advanced Metallica collection with this Grail!