Exclusive Interview: Heavy Metal Donnie
Local Metal Legend Isn’t Who You’d Think
75 years old, titanium white hair, sleeved in tattoos and always sporting a black band tee. He’s been to more concerts than you and he’s not stopping anytime soon.
Who am I talking about? Winchester, Virginia’s treasure, “Heavy Metal” Donnie Calahan of course. Donnie hits shows all up and down the East Coast, and he’s not easy to miss. He’s locally famous and for good reason. This guy rocks. And I don’t just mean he enjoys rocking out, I mean he’s the sweetest soul with endless stories to tell. From going to his first show at 9 years of age to seeing a massive country star in his hometown, being at Woodstock. Yeah, THE Woodstock. 1969.
Anytime I hit up a local metal show, Donnie is there and greets me with open arms and a cheerful “Girlfriend! Oh, Sam, I love you.” He lovingly calls several of us band scene girls “girlfriend” and when I say this guy doesn’t know a stranger, I mean it. EVERYONE loves Donnie.
If you’ve been to a rock or metal show somewhere on the East Coast, you might have seen Donnie. He’s an eye-catching guy, I mean it’s not every day you see a guy old enough to be your grandpa, covered in band tattoos, sidestage throwing up horns.
I got a chance to have a sit down with Donnie backstage at a local gig and scratched the surface of his experiences and passion for music. This guy could write a book about his time in the music scene, and we’re hoping he does.
MetalepticFit
March 18, 2024 at 10:34 am
Heavy metal music is music for all ages. ROCK ON DONNIE!!!
Becky
January 13, 2024 at 12:57 pm
I Love me some Donny!! Always a sweetheart.
Jennifer Smith
January 10, 2024 at 5:47 pm
Love you Donnie!!
Terry Whittington
January 10, 2024 at 3:03 pm
Rock on Donnie🤘🤘🤘