Kirk Hammett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kirk Hammett
|
|
|---|---|
Hammett performing with Metallica in 2017
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kirk Lee Hammett |
| Born | November 18, 1962 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | Blackened |
Kirk Lee Hammett (born November 18, 1962) is an American musician famous for being the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Metallica. He has been with the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica, he started the thrash metal band Exodus in 1979.
In 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Hammett and his bandmate James Hetfield as the 23rd Greatest Guitarists of All Time. In 2009, author Joel McIver ranked Hammett at number 15 in his book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists.
Contents
Early Life and First Guitar
Kirk Hammett was born in San Francisco, California, and grew up in the nearby town of El Sobrante. His mother is of Filipino descent, and his father had English, German, Scottish, and Irish roots. At De Anza High School, he met Les Claypool, who would later form the band Primus. They are still good friends today.
Hammett developed a love for horror movies as a child. When he was five, he hurt his arm in a fight with his sister. While he was recovering, his parents let him watch a lot of television, and he saw the movie The Day of the Triffids. This sparked his interest in horror. He started spending his money on horror magazines instead of milk.
His interest in music began when he listened to his older brother's record collection, which included artists like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. He decided to sell his horror magazines to buy music records. At age 15, he got his first guitar from a catalog. He later bought a 1978 Fender Stratocaster copy and then a 1974 Gibson Flying V.
Music Career
Exodus (1979–1983)
When he was 16, Hammett's love for music led him to the new Bay Area thrash metal scene. In 1979, he formed the band Exodus with singer Paul Baloff, guitarist Tim Agnello, bassist Geoff Andrews, and drummer Tom Hunting. Hammett named the band after a novel. Exodus became an important band in the thrash metal movement. During this time, Hammett took guitar lessons from the famous guitarist Joe Satriani.
Metallica (1983–present)
In 1983, Metallica was in New York to record their first album, Kill 'Em All. They decided to part ways with their lead guitarist, Dave Mustaine, due to disagreements and behavior issues. On April 1, Hammett got a call from Metallica asking him to audition. He flew to New York and officially joined the band on April 11.
Singer and guitarist James Hetfield said, "The first song we played was 'Seek & Destroy', and Kirk pulled off this solo, and it was like... things are going to be alright!"
Hammett has written many famous guitar riffs for Metallica. One of his most well-known riffs is in the song "Enter Sandman", which became one of the band's biggest hits. The main part of the song "Creeping Death" was based on a riff Hammett wrote when he was in Exodus.
Tragedy on Tour
In 1986, while touring in Europe for the album Master of Puppets, the band had to decide who would get which bunk on the tour bus. They drew cards, and bassist Cliff Burton won by picking the Ace of Spades. He chose Hammett's bunk. Early the next morning, the bus crashed in Sweden. Burton was thrown from the bus and tragically died. Hammett has said that he often thinks about how it could have easily been him, as Burton was sleeping in his bunk.
Later Years with Metallica
After touring for The Black Album, Hammett studied film and Asian art at San Francisco State University. Around this time, he became interested in blues and jazz music, which influenced the sound of Metallica's albums Load and Reload.
For the 2003 album St. Anger, the band decided not to include guitar solos. Drummer Lars Ulrich and producer Bob Rock felt they didn't fit the songs. Hammett later agreed, saying, "We tried to put in solos but they sounded like an afterthought so we left them out."
On April 4, 2009, Hammett and his Metallica bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2014, Hammett lost his phone, which had about 250 new song ideas for Metallica's next album. The phone wasn't backed up, and he could only remember about eight of them.
On February 8, 2022, Hammett released his first solo project, an extended play (EP) called Portals. He said it was inspired by classical music, movie soundtracks, and horror films.
Other Projects and Appearances
- Hammett is friends with Les Claypool of Primus and appeared in their video for "John the Fisherman".
- He played a guitar solo on the song "Satan" with the band Orbital for a movie soundtrack in 1997.
- In 2005, he played guitar on the song "Trinity" with Carlos Santana and Robert Randolph.
- He has appeared as himself on TV shows like The Simpsons and Space Ghost Coast to Coast.
- He is a playable character in the video game Guitar Hero: Metallica.
- In 2022, he appeared as himself in the teen movie Metal Lords.
Horror Collection and Events
Book: Too Much Horror Business
On October 1, 2012, Hammett released a book called Too Much Horror Business. The book is filled with photos of his huge collection of horror movie memorabilia, which he has been collecting for over 30 years. It includes over 300 pictures of things like movie posters, costumes worn by actors like Bela Lugosi, and rare toys.
Fear FestEvil
Hammett started his own horror convention called Kirk Von Hammett's Fear FestEvil. The first one was held in San Francisco in 2014. The event includes live music, guest appearances from horror movie actors and creators, and displays of horror items. Guests have included the children of famous horror actors Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. Bands like Exodus and Death Angel have also performed.
Personal Life
Hammett has been married to his wife Lani since 1998. They have two sons, Angel and Vincenzo. He lives in Sonoma, California, and Hawaii. Besides playing guitar and collecting horror items, he enjoys reading comic books and surfing.
Guitars and Equipment
Hammett is known for using many different guitars, especially those made by ESP Guitars. Some of his famous guitars have horror-themed graphics, like "The Mummy" and "Ouija". In 2014, he bought a famous 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar known as "Greeny", which was once owned by rock legends Peter Green and Gary Moore.
He uses a variety of amplifiers, including Mesa/Boogie and Randall Amplifiers. He is also famous for using a wah-wah pedal in his solos and even has his own signature model made by Jim Dunlop.
Discography
Exodus
- 1982 Demo (1982)
- Die by His Hand (1983, demo)
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
