Humbly starting with a small flea market store called Rock & Roll Heaven, Jon Zazula and his wife Marsha (known lovingly as Jonny and Marsha Z) created what would become a Mecca for metalheads all over North America. People would come from as far as 500 miles away to look through boxes of cassettes for the next heavy metal gem. They had metal from all over the world and eventually Rock & Roll Heaven became a social gathering place for metalheads looking for new music, to trade music with each other, to buy whatever they could get their hands on.
Of all the bands that appeared on Zazula’s radar, it was a San Francisco band called Metallica that would change his life forever. Jonny and Marsha Z launched Megaforce Records as a way to put out the early works of Metallica starting off with their breakthrough debut album, Kill ‘Em All. Megaforce Records would eventually be the home to now legendary heavy metal bands such as Anthrax, Testament, Raven, and Mercyful Fate to name just a few.
For nearly 50 years, Megaforce Records would be synonymous to putting out some of the most groundbreaking heavy metal music and even releasing music from more dynamic bands coming out such as Living Colour, King’s X, and Frehley’s Comet, the band of legendary KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. Megaforce Records lived up to its name and to the vision originally foreseen by Papa & Mama Z.
Anyone who was ever involved with the Zazula’s will tell you that they were more than friends; they were parents. Parents with lots of adopted, dysfunctional but loved musicians. Jonny Z passed away on February 1, 2022, at the age of 69, nearly thirteen months after his wife Marsha. Many artists paid tribute to Papa Z after news of his passing:
Heavy music lost one of its great champions today when Jonny Z left this world far too soon. In 1982, when no one wanted to take a chance on four kids from California playing a crazy brand of metal, Jonny and Marsha did, and the rest, as they say, is history. He was a mentor, a manager, a label head and a father figure to us all . . . Metallica would not be who we are or where we are today without Jon Zazula and his wife, Marsha.” – Metallica
We are all gutted by today’s loss of Jonny Z. If it weren’t for Jonny, there might not have been an Anthrax. His commitment, his guidance, his passion, and his friendship were integral in the success of the band, and he was a lifelong, much loved friend. Jonny loved metal, and he was truly a pioneer, and as he left an indelible mark in heavy music, his absence will be greatly felt. Jonny, give our love to Marsha, and safe travels to the both of you. – Anthrax
The most moving words on Jonny Z’s passing came from Venom Inc. Bassist/Vocalist/Songwriter Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan:
“He’s gone!! The world lost a true legend today… Our Dad lived a life as fast, hard, heavy, powerful, and impactful as the music he brought to the world. His passion and persistence fueled the careers of arguably the most influential metal bands, and, industry greats of a generation. To us he was simply daddy… Our father and mother were a powerhouse partnership in love, life, and business. Together they believed in the unbelievable, their passion, rebel perspective, and persistence built an empire from a box of vinyl in a flea market – into a multi platinum selling record label, management company, and publishing house. Although we are devastated he is gone, they are finally reunited. And it feels impossible to imagine a world without him in it. For all of us who knew and loved him … by the way… keep it heavy! RIP daddy you will truly be deeply missed, but, never forgotten…your LegaZ will live on forever, not only in us and your grandchildren, but, in every headbanger on this planet for all of eternity!
Jonny Z was a lover of music. From the Grateful Dead and modern jam bands like the Disco Biscuits to heaviest of the heavy like Venom Inc and Overkill, Johnny Jonny Z, you had more kids than you would ever begin to fathom and we all thank you from the bottom of our metal hearts for bringing us all the music that brought us all together and gave us just a bit more faith in humanity. Goodnight Papa Z. Your Lega-Z will carry on and continue to grow forever!
Don de Leaumont, February 3rd, 2022.
Enjoy this Playlist in the memory of the Z’s!
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