An American virtuoso guitarist, actor and producer, composer and songwriter ... Going deep into the biography of Kirk Hammett, we can say that this person’s life is interesting and multifaceted. Due to its great fame, the history of the guitarist has not been hidden for a long time and is freely available for connoisseurs of Metallica.
How did it all start?
On November 18, 1962, an ordinary boy was born in the family of an Irish sailor and a Filipina. The family lived in California, in San Francisco. His full name is Kirk Lee Hammett. The future father of heavy metal went to Richmond school, was the middle child in the family. The older brother had a small music collection that interested little Kirk.
Impressed by the records of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and most of all Jimi Hendrix, the boy decided to seriously take up the guitar. He acquired the very first at the age of 15, for which he earned money in an eatery. So, thanks to his brother's hobbies and early interest in music, his career began.
Breakthrough on stage
The first step towards success was the founding of the Exodus group. Together with the equally popular drummer Tom Hunting on the current metal scene and vocalist Paul Bayloff who died in 2002, Kirk was one of the progenitors of the thrash metal genre.
The new direction required high tech and aggressive sounding, which Kirk Hammett as a guitarist fully corresponded to. He practiced tremolo, “gallop”, high-speed tricks of the mediator game. As part of Exodus, Kirk appeared on the 1982 demo, leaving his mark on the development of another group that succeeded in the genre.
Introducing Kirk Hammett to Metallica
The background was the dismissal of the previous guitarist. He was the infamous Dave Mustaine - a technical, talented musician with a complex character. The reason for the “exile” was excessive drug addiction and frequent quarrels with other members of the group.
While on the tour bus with Dave, the founders of Metallica - frontman James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich - listened to the candidates in his place. At the same time, they performed side by side with Exodus at San Francisco clubs.
Thus they managed to reach Kirk Hammett. On April 1, a call from the guys rang in his apartment, more like an April Fools ’draw. He was immediately offered the place of a solo guitarist, while on tour, it was impossible to hesitate. At that time, the group also included the late bassist Cliff Burton. Having officially become a member of the group, Kirk, as part of Metallica, appeared on the stages of sites in nearby states.
Qualitatively new level
Metallica gained momentum, recorded a demo tape and debut album. On the record Kill 'em all, authored by the new guitarist, there were several solos. Just at that time, he took lessons from virtuoso Joe Satriani, who gave Kirk the basics of a melodic game in the Hendrix style. Commenting on the song Seek and destroy, the musician declares: " His influence on my game was huge ... When it came time to play this solo, I kept hoping that Joe would like my performance."
In subsequent releases, Kirk Hammett was increasingly revealed as a composer. He owns the riffs and solos of the main "fighters" of the group: Master of Puppets, One, Harvester of Sorrow. The most famous work was the introduction of the song Enter Sandman - the band's business card to this day.
At the moment, Hammett has released 10 studio albums with Metallica, being a regular member for 34 years. And he himself has repeatedly stated that he does not intend to stop. While the group is functioning, he is not going to leave the metal scene.
Facts from personal life, beyond music
Among the extensive interests: surfing, cars, cooking, history, etc. Horror films stand out most clearly. The humble musician has a huge collection of horror films and comics. According to Kirk himself, horrors have attracted him since childhood and serve as a kind of inspiration for creativity. This way to relax and relieve the brain.
Favorite performers were and remain: Jimi Hendricks, Joe Satriani (whom Hammett rightfully considers his mentor), Deep Purple, Santana and other representatives of the classics of the genre. Kirk is known to be a staunch vegetarian. Suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is paradoxical when he is passionate about horrors. It is no secret that he used drugs in his youth, but for a very short time.
He was married twice: three years of marriage with a girl named Rebecca (torn in 1990), from 1998 to the present, lives with his wife Lani. In the second marriage, he became the father of two sons - Angel and Enzo.
Equipment used
The guitar is the musician’s bread. Hammett's first tool was the Fender Stratocaster. Now in the treasury of the 54-year-old guitarist is a whole collection, including Gibson, Jackson and ESP's favorite guitars. Many of them are registered, and the most famous signature is LTD KH-WZ White Zombie.
He has a contract with the company Randall Amplifiers, which proposed the release of a subscription line of guitar amplifiers, “mixers” and preamps. Throughout his career, Kirk in the studio used the Marshall and Mesa / Boogie cabinets, which he still prefers.
After several decades, guitarist Kirk Hammett continues to hold the backbone of the famous metal band Metallica. The team gathers stadiums, periodically meets in the studio. On each album, fans hear the composer and performing talent of a good-natured California guy.