Kirk Hammett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kirk Hammett
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Hammett performing with Metallica in 2017
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kirk Lee Hammett |
| Born | November 18, 1962 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | Blackened |
Kirk Lee Hammett, born on November 18, 1962, is an American musician. He is best known as the lead guitarist for the famous heavy metal band Metallica. He joined Metallica in 1983. Before that, he helped start the thrash metal band Exodus in 1979. Experts often praise Hammett's guitar skills. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine listed him among the greatest guitarists ever.
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Early Life and Interests
Kirk Hammett was born in San Francisco, California. He grew up in a town called El Sobrante. His mother is from the Philippines, and his father had European roots. He went to De Anza High School in Richmond, California. There, he became good friends with Les Claypool, who later joined the band Primus.
Hammett has loved horror movies since he was very young. When he was five, he watched The Day of the Triffids after hurting his arm. This movie made him interested in scary stories. He started collecting Frankenstein figures and buying horror magazines. For many years, he explored the world of horror films and books.
Kirk became interested in music by listening to his brother's records. His brother had music from bands like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Kirk started selling his horror magazines to buy music albums. At age fifteen, he began playing the guitar. His first guitar was a simple one from a catalog. Later, he bought a 1974 Gibson Flying V guitar.
Music Career
Starting with Exodus (1979–1983)
Hammett's love for music led him to the new thrash metal style. In 1979, when he was sixteen, he formed the band Exodus. He named the band after a famous Leon Uris novel. Kirk played on the band's early recordings, like the 1982 Demo. Exodus became an important band in the Bay Area thrash music scene.
Joining Metallica (1983–Present)
In 1983, Metallica was getting ready to record their first album, Kill 'Em All. Their lead guitarist, Dave Mustaine, left the band. Metallica then called Kirk Hammett to audition. He flew to New York and joined the band on April 11, 1983. James Hetfield, Metallica's singer, said Kirk's playing made them feel everything would be fine. Kirk was asked to join right away.
Kirk Hammett has written many guitar parts for Metallica. One of his famous guitar riffs is in the song "Enter Sandman." This song became one of Metallica's most popular hits. It was the first song and single from their self-titled album, often called The Black Album. The song "Creeping Death" also uses a guitar part that Kirk brought from his old band, Exodus.
In 1986, Metallica was on tour in Europe. The band members had to decide who would sleep in which bunk on their tour bus. Cliff Burton, the bassist, won a card game and chose Kirk's bunk. Later that night, the tour bus crashed in Sweden. Cliff Burton was sadly killed in the accident. Kirk has often said he thinks about how it could have been him, since Cliff was sleeping in his usual spot.
After touring for The Black Album, Kirk studied film and Asian arts at San Francisco State University. During this time, he also explored blues and jazz music. This influenced Metallica's albums Load and Reload. Kirk learned a lot about where rock guitar styles came from. While he still uses some jazz and blues ideas, he mainly plays metal guitar now.
For Metallica's 2003 album, St. Anger, Kirk wanted to add guitar solos. However, the band and producer decided not to include them. Kirk later agreed that the solos didn't fit the songs well. During this time, Kirk thought about making his own solo album. He said it would not be super heavy metal and might include classical guitar.
On April 4, 2009, Kirk Hammett and other Metallica members were honored. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2015, Kirk shared that he had lost his phone. The phone had 250 new musical ideas for Metallica's next album. He had not backed up the phone, and he could only remember eight of those ideas.
In 2022, Kirk announced his first solo music project. It is an extended play (EP) called Portals. He said it was inspired by classical music, movie soundtracks, and horror films. The EP was released on April 23, 2022.
Other Music Projects
Kirk Hammett has also played on other artists' songs. He played guitar on a song called "Satan" with the band Orbital for the Spawn: The Album soundtrack. He also played a guitar solo on Pansy Division's song "Headbanger."
In 2005, Kirk played guitar on Carlos Santana's song "Trinity." Santana personally asked Kirk to join him on his album. Kirk also appeared on the TV show The Simpsons and the Adult Swim show Metalocalypse, where he voiced different characters. He was also a character in the video game Guitar Hero: Metallica.
In May 2023, Kirk performed at the Jeff Beck tribute concerts in London. He shared the stage with other famous musicians like Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart.
Books and Events
On October 1, 2012, Kirk Hammett released his first book, Too Much Horror Business. This book is a collection of photos showing his love for monster movies and horror items. Kirk said the book shares his huge collection of horror memorabilia from over 30 years. The book has over 300 pictures of his collection. It includes costumes from old movies, original movie posters, and rare horror toys. The book also has conversations with Kirk about his childhood and how horror movies connect to Metallica's music.
Kirk Hammett also created an annual horror convention called Kirk Von Hammett's Fear FestEvil. The first event took place in San Francisco in 2014. Kirk was inspired to create it after setting up his "crypt" display at another music festival. The convention features live music, autograph signings, interactive displays, and guest appearances by horror movie stars and musicians. The second Fear FestEvil was held in San Jose, California, in 2015.
Personal Life
Kirk Hammett has been married twice. His first marriage ended in 1990. He married his second wife, Lani, in 1998. They have two sons, Angel and Vincenzo. Kirk lives in Sonoma, California, and Hawaii.
Besides playing guitar and collecting horror items, Kirk enjoys reading comic books and surfing.
Views on Politics and Environment
While other Metallica members usually keep their political views private, Kirk Hammett has spoken about his opinions. In 2016, he shared his disagreement with statements made by former president Donald Trump. Kirk also believes it is very important to fight against global warming.
Equipment and Techniques
Kirk Hammett is known for taping his right hand when he plays. This helps protect his skin from rubbing when he uses fast guitar techniques.
Guitars
Kirk Hammett uses many different guitars for his performances. Most of his main guitars are made by ESP Guitars. He has several custom-made ESP guitars, including his "Skully" model and the "Bride of Frankenstein" guitar. He also has a special "Boris Karloff Mummy" guitar, which features a mummy graphic. Kirk owns the rights to this image, so ESP does not sell this guitar to the public.
One of his guitars, the ESP KH-2 M-II "Ouija," has two spelling mistakes on it. He also uses a white version of this guitar. Kirk also plays a Gibson Les Paul Custom for slower songs like "Fade to Black." In 2014, Kirk bought a famous 1959 Les Paul guitar called "Greeny." This guitar was previously owned by other legendary guitarists. He uses it when Metallica plays a cover of "Whiskey in the Jar."
Amplifiers and Cabinets
Kirk Hammett has used different amplifiers throughout Metallica's history. For their first two albums, he used Marshall amplifiers. Later, he and James Hetfield started using Mesa/Boogie amplifiers. Even now, he still uses Mesa/Boogie amps along with his Randall Amplifiers.
In 2007, Randall Amplifiers began working with Kirk to create his own line of signature amplifiers. He also uses special prototype amplifiers made by Fortin Amps.
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Effects
To protect his guitar pedals during live shows, Kirk keeps them in a special rack. His guitar technician controls them from the side of the stage using a pedalboard. This allows Kirk to switch between different effects and amplifiers easily.
In 2008, Jim Dunlop worked with Kirk to create his signature Wah-wah pedal, the KH95. In 2012, Kirk also started his own company, KHDK Electronics, which makes guitar pedals.
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Accessories
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Discography
Exodus
- 1982 Demo (1982)
- Die by His Hand (1983, demo)
- Tempo of the Damned (2004)
- Blood In, Blood Out (2014, guitar solo on "Salt the Wound")
Metallica
- Kill 'Em All (1983)
- Ride the Lightning (1984)
- Master of Puppets (1986)
- ...And Justice for All (1988)
- Metallica (1991)
- Load (1996)
- ReLoad (1997)
- St. Anger (2003)
- Death Magnetic (2008)
- Hardwired... to Self-Destruct (2016)
- 72 Seasons (2023)
Solo
- Portals EP (2022)
See Also
In Spanish: Kirk Hammett para niños
- ESP Kirk Hammett
