Celebrity Info
Kirk Lee Hammett, born on November 18, 1962, in San Francisco, California, is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of Metallica. Interestingly, Kirk Hammett’s fascination with horror films actually began way back in the late 1960s—long before he became a rock icon. It was through his brother’s record collection that Kirk Hammett first discovered music, diving into albums by legendary acts like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and UFO. That early exposure sparked something in him, and by the age of 15, Kirk Hammett had picked up the guitar for the first time.
His journey into guitar playing started with a 1978 Fender Stratocaster copy, but Kirk Hammett wasn’t satisfied with just off-the-shelf gear—he experimented with different parts to shape his own unique sound. Eventually, he upgraded to a 1974 Gibson Flying V, which helped define his evolving style. In 1979, Kirk Hammett co-founded the thrash metal band Exodus alongside vocalist Paul Baloff, guitarist Tim Agnello, bassist Geoff Andrews, and drummer Tom Hunting. That experience laid a solid foundation for what was to come.
Then, in 1983, everything changed when Kirk Hammett got a life-altering call from Metallica, asking him to audition. He joined the band shortly after, replacing Dave Mustaine, and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, Kirk Hammett has contributed numerous riffs to Metallica’s iconic discography. One of his most famous contributions is the main riff in “Enter Sandman,” though not all of his ideas made it exactly as written—the bridge of “Creeping Death” actually originated as an Exodus song before Kirk Hammett brought it over to Metallica and reworked it.
Beyond his work with Metallica, Kirk Hammett also pursued academic interests, studying film and Asian arts at San Francisco State University. During this time, he went through what he calls a “blues period” and expanded his musical horizons by listening to a lot of jazz—an influence that subtly shaped his playing over the years.
On April 4, 2009, Kirk Hammett stood proudly alongside Metallica bandmates Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Robert Trujillo, former member Jason Newsted, and the late Cliff Burton as they were all officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—a major milestone in Kirk Hammett’s career.
Kirk Hammett’s passion for horror didn’t stay confined to movie watching. On October 1, 2012, Abrams Image published his first book, Too Much Horror Business, a deep dive into his personal collection of horror memorabilia. Then, in 2016, Kirk Hammett lent his voice to another project by writing the foreword for Greg Prato’s book German Metal Machine: Scorpions in the ‘70s.
Most recently, on April 23, 2022, Kirk Hammett released his debut solo extended play titled Portals, showcasing a more experimental side of his artistry. From his early days in San Francisco to global fame with Metallica and beyond, Kirk Hammett continues to evolve—not just as a guitarist, but as a creative force across multiple mediums.
When it comes to Kirk Hammett’s musical and cinematic contributions, fans often look at how his projects have been received over the years. One standout in his more recent work is Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar (2023), which has emerged as Kirk Hammett’s highest rated film to date. The project, blending heavy metal with animated storytelling, resonated well with both critics and audiences alike, earning strong praise across platforms. On the other hand, looking back at earlier efforts, Metallica: Through the Never (2013) tends to receive more mixed reactions, making it Kirk Hammett’s lowest rated movie so far. While it had its moments and showcased the band’s powerful stage presence, some felt the narrative elements didn’t fully land. Still, Kirk Hammett’s influence and performance remain a key part of both projects, reflecting his enduring role in shaping Metallica’s creative ventures beyond just music. Whether it’s through electrifying guitar solos or contributing to bold visual experiences, Kirk Hammett continues to leave his mark.
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