The term was coined in the late 40's by William S. Burroughs, who made reference to Uranium Willy, the 'Heavy Metal Kid' in Naked Lunch. According to the 'Louder than Hell', which I just happen to currently be reading, it was Judas Priest who really championed the name as an accurate way to describe the music and look they were going for. Most bands of the time thought it was a derogatory term and wanted nothing to do with it.
Great book, BTW. Funny as all get out. It wasn't a mud shark that Led Zeppelin groupie had sex with, it was a RED SNAPPER, like that makes the difference....
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"I'm forever near a stereo saying, 'What the fook is this garbage?' And the answer is always the Red Hot Chili Peppers." - Nick Cave
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