Tuesday, February 1, 2022

ITP V.022 ONLY ONE PER COFFIN: R.I.P. JOHNNY Z (JON ZAZULA FOUNDER OF MEGAFORCE RECORDS)

 


 JON ZAZULA, co founder of metal record label MEGAFORCE RECORDS has died at 89. 

"JOHNNY Z" signed and kick started the careers of  METALLICA, ANTHRAX and many other bands.

 

 

 https://variety.com/2022/music/news/jon-zazula-megaforce-records-metallica-dead-dies-1235169137/

 

FROM VENOM INC: 

He’s gone!! 😭 💔 The world lost a true legend today… Our Dad lived a life as fast, hard, heavy, powerful, and, impactful as the music he brought to the world. His passion and persistence fueled the careers of arguably the most influential metal bands, and, industry greats of a generation. To us he was simply daddy… Our father and mother were a powerhouse partnership in love, life, and business. Together they believed in the unbelievable, their passion, rebel perspective, and persistence built an empire from a box of vinyl in a flea market - into a multi platinum selling record label, management company, and publishing house. Although we are devastated he is gone, they are finally reunited. And it feels impossible to imagine a world without him in it. For all of us who knew and loved him … by the way… keep it heavy! RIP daddy you will truly be deeply missed, but, never forgotten…your LegaZ will live on forever, not only in us and your grandchildren, but, in every headbanger on this planet for all of eternity!

FROM ANVIL: 

 RIP Jon Zazula

FROM METALGODZ RADIO:

 

onny Z -Megaforce Records founder..Rest In Power..
The label is responsible for discovering popular heavy metal bands such as Metallica, Anthrax, Testament, and King's X.

 FROM CHARLIE BENANTE (ANTHRAX): 

I am in shock… I spoke to you 3 days ago and now you’re gone. I’m so happy we had the times we had and that the last words we said to eachother was “ I LOVE YOU” 😢, My love to @divafauxreal Blair and Danielle . we made a difference in this business. You’ll be reunited with Marsha now❤️❤️❤️ love you Z

 

FROM RAVEN: 

 There are no words.... Rest In Peace

 

FROM METALLICA: 

 

Heavy music lost one of its great champions today when Jonny Z left this world far too soon. In 1982, when no one wanted to take a chance on four kids from California playing a crazy brand of metal, Jonny and Marsha did, and the rest, as they say, is history. He was a mentor, a manager, a label head and a father figure to us all . . . Metallica would not be who we are or where we are today without Jon Zazula and his wife, Marsha.
Our love and sympathy go out to Jonny’s children and his grandchildren, whom he cherished and brought to our shows from the time they were in diapers. We hope they will be able to take some comfort in knowing that he is reunited with Marsha, and that he helped bring so much incredible music to so many. Hopefully there’s a great show goin’ on up there tonight to welcome you!
We’ll miss you, Jonny!
James, Lars, Kirk & Robert
📸 Kevin Hodapp
 
FROM OVERKILL: 
Overkill mourns the passing of The Original thrash-master, Jon "Jonny Z" Zazula.
Thank you Jonny!
 FROM DECIBEL MAGAZINE: 
 Decibel sends our love to the family, friends of heavy metal legend Jon “Jonny Z” Zazula, who passed away at the age of 69. Zazula co-founded Megaforce Records in the early 1980s and was instrumental in helping launch the careers of Anthrax, Overkill and, most notably, Metallica. To say that underground heavy metal would not be what it is today without his mentoring and hospitality is a ridiculous understatement. Rest in Power, Jonny Z. May you be reunited with your beloved Marsha. And may the music world forever know that you helped change it for the better.
FROM EXODUS: 
 
A true legend is gone way too soon.
A giant loss to the metal community. Our condolences go out to your family and friends
Rest In Power Jon Zazula and thank you for all you have done.
We will miss you
 
FROM SEASON OF MIST: 
 
The heavy metal community has suffered a tremendous loss today. Jon Zazula was a true legend and trailblazer who changed the course of this genre forever. Many of us owe our careers and livelihoods to him, whether it be directly or indirectly.
Sending condolences to the Zazula family and all who had the pleasure to know him.
RIP Jonny Z - thank you for all you have done!
 
FROM JASON BITTNER (OVERKILL, SHADOWS FALL):
 
RIP Johnny Z!!!
 
FROM GEEZER BUTLER (BLACK SABBATH):
 Sad to hear that Jonny Z, a massive legend in the metal world, has passed away. RIP Mr Z
 
FROM ALEX SKOLNICK (TESTAMENT): : 
 
A sad day: RIP to Jonny Z. OG Deadhead turned hard rock record store owner turned entrepreneur of a new brand of metal. Starting with a little known band called Metallica, later Anthrax, Overkill, Kings X and many more including of course, the reason our paths crossed, Testament. Whether as a label head or manager, he guided careers and had massive impact on the music biz. Without him many of our lives - listeners and artists alike - might look very different.
He and his beloved partner Marsha Z (pictured) made us feel valued at a crucial point in our young lives (keep in mind, we were a bunch of scraggly misfits often on the outs with our own families who couldn’t understand our long hair, ripped jeans, leather jackets and this horrible racket we called “music” ). From Megaforce HQ in Old Bridge, New Jersey and their home nearby, the took us in and made us feel like family.
Make no mistake, Jonny could be tough - You might overhear him tearing apart some manager or attorney limb from limb during a phone negotiation, call the guy some unprintable insult and smash down the receiver. Yet in a blink of an eye, he’d say “sorry” and get right back to being our warm uncle from Jersey. Truth be told, there were some eventual fallings out with some of the artists he loved and who had loved him. But in the end, all hard feelings were cast aside, relationships were repaired and those business disagreements became water under the (old) bridge.
His record store in Jersey was called Rock N Roll Heaven. Now he joins Marsha in the real Rock N Roll Heaven: The one upstairs.
 
FROM MEGAFORCE RECORDS: 
The world of rock and metal would not be what it is today without Jon Zazula.
Jon's love of music and musicians was unwavering. A giant was lost today.
Rest In Peace Jon.
 
FROM SOILWORK: 
 RIP Jon Zazula, you were one of a kind and we’re grateful for the time we got to share with you. Thank you for the friendship and the music. You will be missed. ❤️🙏
FROM ANTHRAX: 
We are all gutted by today's loss of Jonny Z. If it weren’t for Jonny, there might not have been an Anthrax. His commitment, his guidance, his passion, and his friendship were integral in the success of the band, and he was a lifelong, much loved friend. Jonny loved metal, and he was truly a pioneer, and as he left an indelible mark in heavy music, his absence will be greatly felt.
Jonny, give our love to Marsha, and safe travels to the both of you.
FROM DIRK VERBEUREN:
 
I'm heartbroken to hear that Jon Zazula passed away today. Jonny was a kind-hearted man who cared deeply about his artists, friends, family and pets. We were very fortunate to experience that first hand when he co-managed Soilwork for a while in 2015-2016. His endless enthusiasm for the band was so inspiring.
This photo was taken when I was driving him to a band/management meeting in Hollywood. I remember us raving about how awesome Ministry and Godflesh are.
In 2019, I interviewed Jonny for Gimme Metal to celebrate the release of his epic book, Heavy Tales. An endearing and funny chat with a true legend.
Rest in peace Jonny. My condolences to your family and friends. Thank you for everything you did for our metal community. I hope you're with Marsha now.
 
 
 FROM TESTAMENT: 
"RIP my good friend Johnny Z. Johnny left this world to be reunited with his beloved wife Marsha Z. I cherish all the phone calls we had every morning to talk music and what’s good in the investment world. Johnny was a visionary and when he had his sights set on something he took no for an answer. I am thankful that we got to have one last conversation on Friday to tell each other how much we love each other. I never thought he would be gone within the week. As I sit here thinking of our times together , I am sad but with a smile thinking of the reunion that Johnny and Marsha had . I am sure Rock n Roll Heaven is back open for business in Heaven and the two of them spreading the love of Music." - Chuck Billy
"RIP Johny Z 🤘🏼You’ll be missed what a legacy you’ve left for metal ❤️🤘🏼starting out with a heavy metal record store with your awesome partner & wife Marsha starting your own label signing bands like #Metallica #Anthrax #Testament #Overkill #SOD and many more, you’ll be missed thank you Jon Zazula🤘🏼." - Eric Peterson
 
FROM JOHN DESERVIO: 
R.I.P. Jonny Z. I remember going to Rock and Roll Heaven as a kid! And getting Kill em All the day it came out! I was so jealous of @mcgroover12 because he lived right by you on the other side of Old Bridge!! We lost a huge part of metal and old bridge is a lot less heavy today. R.I.P. 🙏🙏🙏 @thefrankbello @charbenante @mark.tornillo @nancypriscilla3
 
FROM CHRIS JERICHO: 
 Thanks for everything #JonnyZ! I’ve said it before, but the LAST band Jonny ever signed to Megaforce was Fozzy. It’s a great honor to know we were a small part of he and Marsha’s massive legacy!! Crank up the #LouReed in Rock N Roll Heaven tonight Jonny…I promise I won’t tell you to turn it down this time. 😊❤️🤘🏼

FROM PRO-PAIN: 

Rest In Peace, Jon Zazula (aka "Jonny Z"). Not only was he more than partially responsible for the careers of such legendary bands as Metallica, Overkill, SOD, Raven (and many more), he was the 1st to sign PRO-PAIN to Megaforce Records in 1991. After temporarily losing his distribution, he gave PRO-PAIN the opportunity to seek a new label, so that the release of the bands debut album would not be delayed. "Foul Taste Of Freedom" was released soon after on Energy Records (NYC) in October 1992. Thank you and rest easy Jonny, you'll be missed!
\m/ Gary & PRO-PAIN \m/

 

 

MORE JOHNNY Z TRIBUTES LATER 

 

 

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ R.I.P./ 

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