Metallica took the stage on Sunday night in Florida to pay tribute to John and Marsha Zazula, the Megaforce Records co-founders who gave the band its first record deal.
Metallica released its first two albums with Megaforce, 1983's Kill 'Em All and 1984's Ride the Lightning, so the gig at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino focused on the band's early material, with another Megaforce signing, Raven, serving as main support.
The special concert was announced in September, with the band crediting John and Marsha with facilitating its early success, releasing and marketing Metallica's first two albums and putting the band on its first "real tour."
"With Marsha by his side, Jonny was a mentor, a manager, a label head, and a father figure to us all... we would not be where we are today without the two of them," the band wrote.
Watch fan-shot footage of Metallica performing "Fight Fire With Fire" via the player below.
James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett — the three continuing members of the band from the Megaforce days — publicly mourned Jonny Z's passing this past February, calling him one of heavy music's "great champions."
"My heart is full of gratitude for [you] taking a chance of me and my bandmates," Hetfield wrote.
Marsha passed in January 2021. In his tribute at the time, Ulrich illustrated how much the Zazula's went above and beyond for Metallica.
"Thank you Marsha for making it happen," he wrote. "For supporting us, for encouraging us, for advising us, for sheltering us, for feeding us, and most importantly for cheering us on and along with your husband Jonny, believing the possibilities of how a gang of misfits and outsiders like ourselves could connect with a larger and likeminded audience."
Beyond Metallica, Megaforce Records also gave Anthrax its first record deal. The label's roster boasted many legendary artists through the years, including Testament, Overkill, Ministry, King's X and Ace Frehley among others.