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Happy Birthday James Hetfield Of Metallica! See His Facial Hair Evolution!

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[Photo: Getty Images]

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[Photo: Getty Images]

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[Photo: Getty Images]

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[Photo: Getty Images]

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[Photo: Getty Images]

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[Photo: Getty Images]

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[Photo: Getty Images]

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[Photo: Getty Images]

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[Photo: Getty Images]

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[Photo: Getty Images]

Today we celebrate the 51st birthday of one of the greatest heavy metal musicians of all time, James Hetfield of Metallica. From the legendary right hand that has fired up some of the most memorable metal riffs of all time, to his manly yet emotional vocals to his songwriting which has struck a nerve in metal fans for over 30 years, he contribution to the genre is as weighty as his guitar sound. And though metal heads would be embarrassed to discuss such things, he is also a bit of a fashion icon.Whether it's his stripped-down suburban t-shirt and jeans look in the '80s, his all black '90s attire or the high-couture  cut-off battlevest he currently wears on stages, Hetfield continues to influence what heshers are wearing. He has also led the pack in heavy metal facial hair trends, starting with peach fuzz in his barely-post-pubescent early days and then rocking muttonchops, mustaches and all manner of goatees once it started coming in. In honor of the big guy's birthday we present you with a gallery of James Hetfield's facial hair evolution so crank up your favorite Metallica tape and raise a toast, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, to the man who has brought us so much great heavy metal music over the years.

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See Metallica's James Hetfield Talk About The Need To Play Music.