Jonathan Zazula (March 16, 1952 – February 1, 2022), also known as Jonny Z, was an American music industry executive who was the owner of New Jersey's Rock'n Roll Heaven record store and founder of record label Megaforce Records. Zazula's record store in East Brunswick, New Jersey made him a central figure of the East Coast metal scene, regularly playing demo tapes sent to him through his underground tape-trading network which included the likes of Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records, Ron Quintana (the editor of Metal Mania magazine), and producer Mark Whitaker. He was also a mentor to radio personality Eddie Trunk.[1]

Career

His central role in the East Coast metal scene would later be an essential factor in launching the career of Metallica. Zazula offered the band their first opportunity to play in the New York area and organized their first tours with Raven, one of the leading metal bands from the UK at that time. After hearing the demo tape No Life 'Til Leather, he founded the label Megaforce Records to release their work. Zazula released Metallica's debut album Kill 'Em All and set up an East Coast tour with private funding.[2]

After the success of Kill 'Em All, Zazula signed and worked with other artists, including Disco Biscuits, Warren Haynes, Testament, Tad, Overkill, Frehley's Comet, King's X, Fozzy, Ministry,[2] and Anthrax.[3]

In 2019, Zazula released an auto-biography titled Heavy Tales.[4]

Personal life and death

Zazula was born on March 16, 1952, and was Jewish.[5][6] His second wife, Marsha Zazula (née Marsha Jean Rutenberg; 1952–2021), was his partner and co-founder at Megaforce Records. They were married from 1979 until Marsha's death on January 10, 2021.[7] Zazula had three daughters, including one with his first wife and two with his second wife (Marsha).[2]

He died at his home in Clermont on February 1, 2022, at the age of 69, from complications of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, COPD, and osteopenia.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ "Jon "Jonny Z" Zazula, Megaforce Records Co-Founder Who Discovered Metallica, Dead at 69". MetalSucks. February 1, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Biography". Jonzazula.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  3. ↑ Ian, Scott (2014). I'm The Man. Boston, MA: Da Capo Press. pp. 47–50. ISBN 978-0-306-82334-3.
  4. ↑ "HEAVY TALES". HEAVY TALES. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  5. ↑ Perry, Jessica (August 9, 2005). "Open ForumCensorship in the Music Industry Has Gotten Out of Hand". NJBIZ. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Rare: Hear the First-Ever Recorded Rap-Metal Song 'Metal Rap'". HD-Radio Network. June 16, 2020. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  7. ↑ Genzlinger, Neil (January 16, 2021). "Marsha Zazula, 'Metal Matriarch' of Metallica and Others, Dies at 68". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  8. ↑ Genzlinger, Neil (February 4, 2022). "Jon Zazula, Early Promoter of Heavy Metal, Dies at 69". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  9. ↑ "JON ZAZULA, Co-Founder of Legendary Metal Label MEGAFORCE RECORDS, Dies At 69". Blabbermouth.net. February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

General references

  • The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music ISBN 0-85112-939-0
  • Heavy Tales ISBN 978-1733056755
  • The Complete Guide to the Music of Metallica - Page 1 ISBN 0-7119-4902-6
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