Instagram/Michael Tilson Thomas & L Music Metallica honors late conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, their S&M2 collaborator and classical music titan, who passed at 81 after a brain cancer battle. April 25, 2026 AceShowbiz - Metallica paid heartfelt tribute to the late conductor and composer Michael Tilson Thomas, a monumental figure in classical music who collaborated with the band on their acclaimed 2019 S&M2 concerts. Thomas passed away at age 81 after battling brain cancer, as reported by The New York Times.