METALLICA frontman James Hetfield has paid tribute to Marsha Zazula, who died on Sunday (January 10) at the age of 68.

Hetfield said in a statement:

“Marsha Z is the Metal Matriarch of the East Coast. She was our mother when I had none. She made great sacrifices for METALLICA to grow. Thank you, Marsha. Love and positive energy to the Zazula family.”

She co-founded Megaforce Records in 1983 with her husband Jon Zazula.

Here’s the statement:

“RIP Mom April 21, 1952 -January 10, 2021 Your love, Your strength, Your memory and Your music has changed lives and will continue to FOREVER.”

The label is responsible for giving us METALLICA,

Megaforce‘s roster has also included such artists as ANTHRAX, TESTAMENT, OVERKILL, Ace Frehley, MINISTRY, KING’S