Metallica Drummer Settles Labor Lawsuit

He was paid, claimed underpaid. He settled in court -- but the memory remains.

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich settled a court case last week brought by a former employee who claimed that Ulrich underpaid him for his services as a personal assistant, driver, and general gofer, according to the Marin Independent Journal.

Sausalito resident Steven Wiig, 38, had what would be for millions of metalheads worldwide a dream gig: he managed Ulrich's art collection, drove him around, arranged his social calendar, and accompanied him and the legendary metal band on tour, the newspaper said.

But Wiig claimed he was vastly underpaid, stating in court documents that his compensation was only $45,000 a year and that Ulrich failed to deliver on several promised annual bonuses.

Not so, the drummer countered, saying that Wiig was in fact paid $110,000 a year before bonuses and received a free car and free rent.

The case was settled out of court this month. Lawyers for Ulrich and Wiig both declined to comment on the terms of the settlement.