According to a statement from the former Metallica bassist, Jason Newsted will be replacing Robert Trujillo for Metallica’s performance at the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame.

While speaking to Reuters/Billboard, Newsted has said that he had a phone conversation with Lars Ulrich in which the Danish drummer asked Newsted to replace current Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo for the band’s whole performance at this weekend’s Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame.

“He said, ‘We want you to rock with us,’” said Newsted. Ulrich allegedly told Newsted that Trujillo “‘is not gonna play at all. We want you to play.’ And my first question was, ‘How’s Robert with that? How does he feel about that? I don’t want to create any kind of negative anything. I want this all to be proper.’

“(Ulrich) said, ‘No, he’s with it, man. He wants to be there as a fan, too, and wants to see the ‘black’ album band’…It’s all good. Everybody’s agreed to it. Let’s rock!’ ‘OK. Let’s rock.’”

“I felt strongly they should go as that band and represent Metallica,” continued Newsted, “because they’re strong right now, together. Those four guys in Metallica are out there knocking the s— down, standing tall, able, prowess, chops are in order … There aren’t many times the Hall of Fame can induct a band that’s fully capable like that.”

Metallica recently announced their new single will feature b-sides from recent UK shows, while it has also been announced that Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be inducting the band into the Rock N’ Roll hall Of Fame.

Sonisphere will take place on August 1st – 2nd at Knebworth. Metallica and Linkin Park will headline on a bill that will also feature Nine Inch Nails, Bullet For My Valentine, Avenged Sevenfold, Machine Head, Anthrax, Airbourne, Lamb Of God, Alice In Chains, Mastodon, Thin Lizzy, Killing Joke and The Sword.

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