BLABBERMOUTH.NET - Teenager Who Once Jammed With METALLICA Loses Battle With Cancer

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Last Updated: November 21, 2009 5:35 PM

Teenager Who Once Jammed With METALLICA Loses Battle With Cancer - July 10, 2006

The Kansas City Star is reporting that a Kentucky teenager who, through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, once joined his favorite band, METALLICA, in a rehearsal and played bass guitar on his favorite song, passed away on July 2.

18-year-old Jonathan Matthew Unseld (photo) was diagnosed with bone cancer when he was 13. After chemotherapy and a partial hip replacement, the cancer was in remission for a year. It came back, this time on his rib and pelvis. He underwent more chemotherapy and had a rib removed. Then the disease spread to his spine. Unseld kept fighting.

For more information, visit www.kansascity.com.

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	COMMENT \| :( posted by : zoezee 7/10/2006 9:04:02 AM

	that's so sad. r.i.p

	COMMENT \| posted by : WaysToTheGrave 7/10/2006 9:05:30 AM

	shit i remember when they jammed. rip that sucks. the make a wish kid on drums was better than lars.

	COMMENT \| posted by : james 7/10/2006 9:12:06 AM

	yeah too damn sad. fuck!!

	COMMENT \| RIP posted by : \m/...Baron Von Wasteland...\m/ 7/10/2006 9:12:43 AM

	\m/

	COMMENT \| posted by : dirtheadzzz 7/10/2006 9:13:13 AM

	Its great that he got to jam with the Tallicats. We all pay our debts. Some too soon, Some too sad. Very sorry.

	COMMENT \| so sad... posted by : buttlips 7/10/2006 9:17:35 AM

	I applaud Metallica for giving that kid a chance to jam with his idols. it probably meant the world to him to be in Metallica for one day. Metallica should be honored to have someone make his desire to jam with them his dying wish. I hope they went to his funeral. they should dedicate their next album to that kid.

	COMMENT \| posted by : Chairman Of The Gore 7/10/2006 9:24:52 AM

	I have a feeling that within the next few days we'll be seeing the headline on this very site "Metallica Sues Cancer". R.I.P young fella.

	COMMENT \| RIP posted by : cirkis 7/10/2006 9:34:48 AM

	I've always admired Metallica for their work with the Make-a-Wish foundation. They jam with kids like this a few times a year. Very sad story this morning.

	COMMENT \| The kid... posted by : parlyboy 7/10/2006 9:35:13 AM

	kept on rockin' till the end. Respect. RIP

	COMMENT \| RIP posted by : V Empire 7/10/2006 9:45:17 AM

	Yeah, that really is too fucking sad. R.I.P.

	COMMENT \| posted by : Al Bundy 7/10/2006 9:47:06 AM

	I hate cancer. R.I.P.

	COMMENT \| posted by : cantrellfan 7/10/2006 9:47:11 AM

	Rest in peace dude! Alice in Chains - Over Now 'Good Night...' Yeah, it's over now, but I can breathe somehow When it's all worn out, I'd rather go without You know its been on my mind Could you stand right there Look me straight in the eye and say That it's over now We pay our debt sometime Well it's over now, yet I can see somehow When its all gone wrong, it's hard to be so strong You know its been on my mind Could you stand right there Look me straight in the eye and say That it's over now We pay our debt sometime Yeah, we pay our debt sometime We pay our debt sometime Yeah, we pay our debt sometime Guess it's over now, I seem alive somehow When it's out of sight, just wait and do your time You know its been on my mind Could I stand right here Look myself in the eye and say That it's over now We pay our debt sometime Yeah, we pay our debt sometime We pay our debt sometime Yeah, we pay our debt sometime

	COMMENT \| posted by : brutal_devastation 7/10/2006 10:02:43 AM

	HOLY SHIT HE WAS ALMOST MY AGE WHEN HE GOT DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. REST IN PEACE DUDE \m/

	COMMENT \| posted by : the-fear 7/10/2006 10:08:27 AM

	whatever happened to the kid that was on the year and a half in the life off video that metallica did. Didn't he have leukemia?

	COMMENT \| posted by : RunningWildOn47th 7/10/2006 10:17:55 AM

	Wait.. playing with Metallica gives you cancer?

	COMMENT \| posted by : Blackthorned 7/10/2006 10:26:24 AM

	^^^ A terrible and apthetic way to make a cheap joke - reflect on yourself. R.I.P Jonathan

	COMMENT \| RIP posted by : Metallica_sheep 7/10/2006 10:28:39 AM

	Whether or not you like Metallica, that was a nobel effort of them. At least he went out happy...

	COMMENT \| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ posted by : ENEMYWITHIN 7/10/2006 10:36:59 AM

	got to totally agree with that. its the only good thing they do these days. respaect to metallica for doin the make a wish.

	COMMENT \| posted by : :Blizzard_Beast: 7/10/2006 10:49:26 AM

	sucks when people die young like that. makes me thankful for my 31 years on the planet. cudos to metallica for their efforts to bring a bright spot in an otherwise shitty situation. rock on brother R.I.P.

	COMMENT \| SAD :( posted by : RiotAct666 7/10/2006 10:52:57 AM

	Cancer sucks! R.I.P. dude!

	COMMENT \| yeah and a half kid posted by : cirkis 7/10/2006 10:58:43 AM

	He passed away less than a year after that was filmed.

	COMMENT \| posted by : Conor 7/10/2006 11:04:23 AM

	MetallicA are really good guys. R.I.P. Man

	COMMENT \| Wait.. playing with Metallica gives you cancer? posted by : Sith Lord 333 7/10/2006 11:09:28 AM

	...

	COMMENT \| "Metallica Sues Cancer" posted by : Basajaun 7/10/2006 11:17:06 AM

	Well, that would be nice. Also like, for example, to use all the money that goes to the Army (to develop weapons and buy them) to go to war against cancer. That would be nice. Cancer sucks big time.

	COMMENT \| posted by : slayerfreak1990 7/10/2006 11:20:04 AM

	aw man. if gods so great why do people get cancer.

	COMMENT \| R.I.P. posted by : God Of Reptiles 7/10/2006 11:35:53 AM

	:(

	COMMENT \| Depressing posted by : ColdmaN5 7/10/2006 11:59:57 AM

	RIP Jonathan. You will be missed. Cancer IS a piece of shit, but I find it hard to believe that we can't find a cure for it, let alone a reason as to how it forms. I honestly believe that it's the government's way of controlling the population. I mean, think about it: Cancer kills hundreds of thousands of people annually. If the government "found a way" to cure it, that'd be a lot more people roaming around and living longer. This would lead to greater overpopulation. Well, that's my conspiracy theory. And I don't want to overshadow the whole point of this post, so once again: RIP Jonathan.

	COMMENT \| Love these headlines posted by : diarrhea_splatter 7/10/2006 12:02:01 PM

	I'm still waiting for, "Guy who took a shit while listening to Metallica gets hemerrhoids!!"

	COMMENT \| posted by : Al Bundy 7/10/2006 12:29:09 PM

	^ that's cause nobody asked slayer you dumbass. plus slayer arent satan worshipers. tom's catholic. kerry and jeff are atheists. and i dont know about dave lombardo. it shouldve been breakermetal.

	COMMENT \| Bummer posted by : Ken92081 7/10/2006 12:34:37 PM

	I hate cancer. I want to kick it in the nuts!

	COMMENT \| RIP posted by : Iron Monkey 7/10/2006 12:37:55 PM

	Cancer is indeed a motherfucker. By the way, I am pretty sure the kid in the Year and a Half video, died soon right around the time the video came out. Props to Metallica for doing Make A Wish.

	COMMENT \| bonesaw go vaccum your father. posted by : Al Bundy 7/10/2006 12:42:42 PM

	ask anybody about tom you cocksmoking pussy.

	COMMENT \| posted by : Emperor Mordred 7/10/2006 12:47:35 PM

	R.I.P. too many people dying young these days:-(

	COMMENT \| and who says metallica have no souls posted by : metalwarlord 7/10/2006 12:48:54 PM

	i had a cousin who passed away 4 years ago from leukemia....dude was so fuckin cool....he is my reason when i don't want to do something i do it anyway.....life's to fuckin short.....life is like a harley davidson......ride that bitch till the wheeels fall off.....much respect to metallica there music is fuel..... r.i.p john if there is no metallica tunes in heaven can it really be heaven?...hahhahaha..... metalwarlord2006

	COMMENT \| Not a good week for Metallica fans posted by : Sith Lord 333 7/10/2006 1:53:02 PM

	First the lightning boy, then this...

	COMMENT \| RIP- Jonathan Matthew Unseld posted by : tallica90 7/10/2006 2:21:04 PM

	^^ yeah exactly, well done to Metallica for doing that!! cancer is a bitch!!

	COMMENT \| posted by : Cadillac-Rock-Box 7/10/2006 2:24:51 PM

	R.I.P. Dude Rock on Poor guy, as they say "only the good die young". I respect Metallica for doing this, they may be multi-millionaires and according to some people Corporate Sell Outs, but at least they still have a heart. Wouldnt see anyone like Mr.Rose do something like this. And again R.I.P Dude

	COMMENT \| posted by : AnselmoTrendkiller 7/10/2006 2:29:40 PM

	Sad indeed. R.i.p

	COMMENT \| fuck Cancer...fuck it in the ass posted by : RoachJoE 7/10/2006 2:40:17 PM

	heaven is better than this shitty world we are living in today defintetly in a better place Rest In Peace mannnnnnnnn

	COMMENT \| posted by : RoachJoE 7/10/2006 2:42:59 PM

	COMMENT \| RiP posted by : cheekyjoey 7/10/2006 1:32:59 PM If he has kids, I hope they get cancer next. Metallica suck :D ========================================= the kid is dead how can he have kids...you dipshit i hate metallica too..but that's not the point have respect for the dead

	COMMENT \| posted by : BLEEDING_THROUGH 7/10/2006 2:43:02 PM

	:( thats extremly sad, but his short life seemed like it was very fulfilling for that one time when he got to jam with Metallica

	COMMENT \| posted by : RoachJoE 7/10/2006 2:44:23 PM

	or you could have been referring to the band members kids or something w/e fuck you cheekyjoey!

	COMMENT \| RIP the kid. posted by : death23 7/10/2006 2:45:15 PM

	I'm sure he's now playing next to Cliff.

	COMMENT \| RIP Jonothan...at least he got to live out his dream before he died.... posted by : Metalheads Union local 666 7/10/2006 2:45:47 PM

	Cancer is a bitch...it really is. Unfortunately, as bad as it is, like many diseases, it is needed to help control the earth's population. It has been estimated that our world is only able to support 7-10 billion people, and if diseases such as cancer were eliminated, we would reach that number very quickly. And to make things worse, every time we wipe something out, something more sinister, more painful, and that causes more suffering, seems to take it's place. That being said.....IT BITES when somebody this young, with his whole life ahead of him, succumbs, and especially when it's to the most painful and dibilitating form of the disease. RIP man....you are in a better place now.

	COMMENT \| RIP posted by : hatetofeel 7/10/2006 2:47:16 PM

	some of you guys are total morons. this is not a time for you to state what you think of metallica. whether or not you like them. this is for the kid. its pretty sad of some of you to say things like, "metallica sucks but that was cool of them", you guys are that miserable that you stop the bashing for one second and just wish this kids family the best now that hes gone. losers. RIP Jonathan.

	COMMENT \| RIP posted by : tallica90 7/10/2006 2:51:01 PM

	FUCK YOU CHEEKYBOY.... rip jonathan!!

	COMMENT \| posted by : cardiac 7/10/2006 2:57:22 PM

	R.I.P men i hate cancer Respect too metallica

	COMMENT \| Yeah posted by : Mr_Beer_Gut 7/10/2006 3:58:59 PM

	Kudos to Metallica for doing this. It's sad when people have to go so young. Makes me greatful for my 28 years. R.I.P. Jonathan

	COMMENT \| posted by : morbid slaying 7/10/2006 4:15:42 PM

	It really does blow seeing someone at a young age be taken from this world because of something so horrible. Props to Metallica for making this dudes wish a reality! My thoughts go out to the family and friends. RIP Jonathan \m/

	COMMENT \| sry about the kid.......... posted by : riotact666 is a poser 7/10/2006 4:15:45 PM

	but metallica fucking sucks now and has sucked for over 17 years. Yes you know it's true. Or are u one of the fucktards that has the black album, load, reload, and st. anger in his/her cd player. I pity the sheep.

	COMMENT \| KEPT FIGHTING? posted by : Dead of Winter 7/10/2006 4:29:12 PM

	I get so tired of hearing that, every time some one has cancer or any disease and they die people always say "he didn't give up, he kept fighting. how strong he was" As opposed to what? Holding his breathe, sliting his wrists? Of course he fought, ANY human being would... that is called nature. Every species fights to stay alive. It isn't anything special...

	COMMENT \| RIP JONATHAN!!! posted by : tallica90 7/10/2006 4:34:02 PM

	to riotact666 is a poser!!! Why would people want that many cds in ther cd player at once!! lol!! and no, we dont listen to em albums, we listen to em all (over time of course) METAL UP UR ASS RIP jonathan- and gud on Metallica for what they done!!

	COMMENT \| That's unfortunate posted by : metaljoe1977 7/10/2006 4:42:42 PM

	He really didn't get a chance to live. Cancer sucks ass! RIP Jonathan!

	COMMENT \| fuck them posted by : mattmetallifuk 7/10/2006 5:24:54 PM

	maybe we outta just wish them cancer.. My friends dad just died after a 5 month battle with cancer (after being diagnosed) this kid battled it for 5 years.... thats one tough dude. Anyone who wants to talk shit of a story like this should go through cancer yourself and realize that your a fucking idiot.

	COMMENT \| Here goes... posted by : ChrisASchrader 7/10/2006 6:04:35 PM

	Cancer runs in my family and it's taken my grandfather on my dads side and he's been 6 years this month. It sucks today just as much as it did when he died. It's tried claiming and failed many others and even if you're Slipknot,Korn and Linkin Park anything like this earns INSTANT props from me. Cancer isn't something to parody and in fact anyone that does should get it so they can feel first hand the effects of the radiation and chemotherapy and then try and laugh about how much of a joke this might seem. Metallica,as much as some may love or hate them have ALWAYS donated to the Make A Wish foundation and are notorious for granting wishes through the promotion. I know this better than most because I work very closely with an organization that does business with the United Way and I can tell you not one person even if they are the biggest metal head known to man or someone who doesn't know Metallica from Mariah Carrey badmouths them regardless of musical direction because the bottom line is when the UW calls Metallica answers which is more than I can say for the majority of todays "Metal" bands.

	COMMENT \| posted by : marxx 7/10/2006 7:02:25 PM

	Rest in peace Jonathon, glad you at least had a chance to jam with tallica. Any tosser who is trying to act hard by saying he deserves to die or something needs a fucking bullet in the head. Period.

	COMMENT \| shitty posted by : hoov3r 7/10/2006 8:58:06 PM

	I remember seeing this kid and I think his brother playing with metallica in the jump in the studio section back when they were recording for st.anger. I remember they were raiding the merch room, They looked way fucking happy. Shitty the kid had to go. It was cool metallica granted them a kingly wish. R.I.P I hope hes in a better place.

	COMMENT \| posted by : onlyrealmetal 7/10/2006 8:59:47 PM

	Very noble of Metallica Where Gene Simmons and all his money? Lot's of people on this site are ready to give this greedy peice of shit a BJ at the drop of a hat and you never hear a charitable peep out of him. RIP young man. What an heartwarming stroy.

	COMMENT \| hmmm posted by : hoov3r 7/10/2006 9:02:37 PM

	Double post... riotact666, You should be the one with cancer you fucking prick. That kid knows what good metal is. At least he fucking died with honer. Dead of Winter, Its the fact somone had to live with cancer. being able to fight for that long is fucking repectable.

	COMMENT \| Very sad posted by : tofu 7/10/2006 11:23:30 PM

	i wish peace and comfort for Jonathans family and friends. It was very honorable of Metallica to brighten this kids spirit during his final days.....you see, they do care about their fans.

	COMMENT \| R.I.P Jonathan, I love you. posted by : emotionalxchaos 7/12/2006 11:58:13 AM

	First off, for those who posted cancer jokes, let me give a BIG FUCK YOU! and i hope doing that made you feel SO much better. I am Jonathans girlfriend, and Jonathan was an amazing person. He had a great time jamming with Metallica. He lived life until it ended & always kept a positive attitude with humor. Cancer took his life at a young age, but he battled it until the end. Until his body could not take it any longer. Don't ever judge & make jokes about him. If you would have known him, it would make you feel like complete shit saying those things. Rest In Peace Jonathan & live it up in heaven. Rock out for me. Love, Megan

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