When Metallica Discovered Their Own Song on Radio Before They Released It - The Napster Leak That Changed Music Forever
Manage episode 511295098 series 3654641
In 2000, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich got the shock of his life: their unreleased song "I Disappear" was playing on radio stations across America - before they'd even finished recording it. This is the wild story of how a leaked demo ended up on Napster, radio DJs started downloading it illegally, and one phone call triggered the biggest lawsuit in digital music history.
Discover how radio stations accidentally became pirates, why Metallica sued 335,000 fans, and how this single incident destroyed Napster while creating the legal framework for every streaming service we use today. From studio vault to Senate hearings, this is the untold story of the leak that changed everything.
Perfect for fans of music history, 90s/2000s nostalgia, radio stories, and anyone curious about how the internet broke the music industry overnight. Learn the real timeline, hear the actual quotes, and understand why this case still matters in the Spotify era.
Credit: The "Napster Bad" image comes from the series that was produced in the years 2000-2001 by Bob Cesca from a group then known as Camp Chaos, satirizing Metallica and their MP3 sharing crackdown.
Send me a text message with your thoughts, questions, or feedback
Visible Wireless by Verizon
Same Verizon coverage, way cheaper bills. No contracts or hidden fees. $20 off for both of us.
If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow Fully Modulated and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.
Fully Modulated is not affiliated with or endorsed by any station, media company, or network. All opinions are solely my own.
33 episodes