Jason Newsted Covers Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” at Tour Kickoff

Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted has returned to the live stage with his Chophouse Band, marking the start of a North American tour with a performance of Bob Seger’s “Turn The Page” at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Massachusetts, on July 1. The setlist featured covers from artists including Neil Young and Blue Öyster Cult, alongside revelations regarding Newsted’s recent health battles and his departure from Metallica in 2001.

Why is Jason Newsted’s return to touring significant?

The Chophouse Band tour serves as a return to active performance for Newsted, who has spent recent years managing significant personal health challenges. According to Newsted, he underwent a medical procedure for throat cancer on May 8, 2025. He stated in an interview with YouTuber Dean Delray that doctors were able to remove the growth early using laser surgery, and he has since been given the all-clear.

Beyond his health, the tour highlights Newsted’s pivot toward a more eclectic musical direction. While his setlist includes “Turn The Page”—a track Metallica notably covered on their 1998 Garage, Inc. project—the Chophouse Band focuses on Americana and classic rock influences. According to setlist.fm, the band even incorporated the bridge of the Metallica track “Creeping Death” into a musical performance of Mark Twain’s poem The War Prayer.

How did creative tensions lead to Newsted’s exit from Metallica?

Newsted’s departure in 2001 followed nearly 15 years with the band, a tenure that began in 1986 after the death of bassist Cliff Burton. While Newsted initially cited “private and personal reasons” and physical exhaustion as the catalysts for his exit, later accounts revealed deeper structural conflicts within the group.

In a 2001 interview with Playboy, Metallica frontman James Hetfield expressed concern that side projects distracted from the band’s core identity, questioning, “Does he start touring with it? Does he sell shirts?” However, Hetfield later softened his stance. In subsequent reflections, the frontman admitted that he had been “choking” his bandmate, stating, “That’s how I was taught to control things: through intimidation and rage.”

Newsted also recently provided a different perspective on his state of mind during that era. In his conversation with Dean Delray, he characterized himself as a “horrible addict” who reached a breaking point. He noted that he had asked the band for a reprieve to seek help, but his request was denied, contributing to his decision to leave.

What is the future trajectory for the Chophouse Band?

Following the Northampton show, the Chophouse Band is continuing their tour through the summer. The group is scheduled to perform at Mickey’s Black Box in Lititz, Pennsylvania, on July 3. Starting July 9, the band will transition into a supporting role, joining Blackberry Smoke for a series of dates across the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Did Jason Newsted perform any Metallica originals on this tour? No full Metallica originals were included in the Chophouse Band’s setlist, though the band performed a musical arrangement featuring the bridge of “Creeping Death.”
• Why did Jason Newsted leave Metallica? Newsted has cited a combination of creative friction regarding side projects, physical exhaustion, and struggles with substance addiction as reasons for his departure.
• Is Jason Newsted healthy after his cancer diagnosis? Yes. Newsted confirmed in May 2025 that he underwent successful laser surgery to remove throat cancer and has received an all-clear from his medical team.

Are you planning to catch the Chophouse Band on their current tour, or are you hoping for a future Metallica reunion? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on rock and metal tours.