From horror magazines to heavy metal: the evolution of Kirk Hammett
In short: Before he was a heavy metal icon, Kirk Hammett was a child captivated by horror movies. After a childhood injury left him watching television, he traded his milk money for horror magazines and eventually for the guitar, setting the stage for a career that would redefine thrash metal.
Born in San Francisco in 1962 and raised in El Sobrante, Hammett's musical journey began with a pivot from horror to heavy metal. After a childhood sprain led him to watch films like The Day of the Triffids, he spent a decade immersed in horror magazines. He eventually used the proceeds from selling these magazines to purchase his first musical instruments, including a Montgomery Ward catalog special and later a 1974 Gibson Flying V.
His ascent into the thrash metal scene was rapid. At age sixteen, he co-formed the influential Bay Area band Exodus in 1979, naming the group after a Leon Uris novel. This period also saw him studying under Berkeley-based guitarist Joe Satriani. In 1983, a pivotal phone call led him to audition for Metallica on April 11, the same day the band fired Dave Mustaine. His performance of "Seek and Destroy" secured him the lead guitarist role.
Hammett's career has been marked by both massive success and profound loss. He contributed iconic riffs to hits like "Enter Sandman" and has been ranked among the world's greatest guitarists by Rolling Stone and Joel McIver. However, he also faced the trauma of a 1986 tour bus accident in Sweden that killed Metallica bassist Cliff Burton—an event that nearly claimed Hammett's life due to a dispute over sleeping arrangements decided by a card draw.
Beyond Metallica, Hammett has explored diverse musical landscapes, including jazz and blues, which influenced his improvisational skills during a period of study at San Francisco State University. He has also collaborated with artists ranging from Carlos Santana to Orbital, and even appeared as himself in animated series like The Simpsons.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Kirk Hammett
- Also: Wikidata — Kirk Hammett · CC0
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