Kirk Hammett Details His First Days In Metallica

[@avinavar4818]

Kirk in ‘83: “Man, what’s up with these guys? Are they in love with each other or something?” James 30+ years later: “Ah, yes, my first wife, Lars…”

[@amandahuginkiss6868]

I think he left Lars for Greenie, but yeah....

[@russellflagg8519]

That makes no sense. It's about James and Lars as a couple, but Kirk owns Greenie.

[@senormarston]

I would say that Lars was Hetfield's first child. I think that's where James started making those funny dad's joke at a young age

[@wildcraftsw6284]

And I thought Lars and Kirk were the ones who are in love with each other 😂

[@LuckyAreglado]

😂😂😂

[@themetalone7739]

I think it's hilarious how Metallica half-assed the auditions for both of their lead guitarists and, both times, they ended up with someone who was beyond incredible. That's either a testament to the band's incredible luck, or a statement about just about many talented guitarists there were in the 80s.

[@treyn8070]

Or both? 😂😂😂

[@fatworksfoods]

I think it's further evidence that talent knows talent. Also, that it always takes some luck along way.

[@rycor9117]

@@treyn8070 o0

[@CalebePriester]

There's no such thing as luck. You wether have a higher power working for you or you don't. Most of us don't. I believe it's something to do with blood. Lars has blood ties with some very "important" figures.

[@no-ln8wm]

@@CalebePriester Also, Osama Bin Laden is alive and Jesus is coming back next Thursday

[@davesampson158]

Kirk is a good man. His career was and remains clean. No controversies, just a man doing his thing on his guitar. To this day, he is my favorite guitarist. His output is phenomenal. I owe him and the rest of Metallica a huge "thank you" for giving me something nobody else was able to give, therapy through music and peace of mind. The songs "Escape", "Eye of the Beholder", "One", "The Thing That Should Not Be", "Don't Tread on Me", "For whom the Bell Tolls", "Wasting My Hate" and their version of "Am I Evil", are amongst some of my favorites and the list doesn't stop there.

[@scottterwiel]

Metallica need to make a movie from start to where they are now. Like the queen movie. Make it epic and 3 hours long no detailed left out

[@rustnok12]

No

[@roberts2760]

They probably will make one when Hetfield will be dead

[@undinism69]

No detail left out? That would need a 30 hour movie minimum imo

[@UnbrokenFlame]

Completely agree! Some kind of monster, and year and a half in the life only cover portions. When they retire, I want start to finish. I would purchase it immediately

[@sean9983]

I agree a period piece starting from 1980-1995’ish. Something like The Dirt. That would be epic!!!!

[@TheNothing6]

Kirk doesn't get enough credit for being one of the pioneers of Thrash Metal.

[@themetalone7739]

I think it's because he didn't join the band until after Metallica had already created "thrash metal". I'm not one of those people who gives Mustaine credit for all the old stuff, but it was James, Lars, and Dave who pioneered thrash. Everything that came after was an extension or variation on what they'd done. There's also the fact that, in terms of technical skill, Kirk doesn't even rank in the top 30 best guitarists to come out of the 80s, and a certain lack of appreciation comes with that, but one could definitely argue that his ability to write great-sounding stuff is under-appreciated.

[@gabrielamartigani4337]

@@themetalone7739 tal vez lo diga por ser el fundador de exodus en el 79, antes que metallica existiera

[@themetalone7739]

@@gabrielamartigani4337 Sin embargo, Exodus no es realmente thrash. Antes, cuando Kirk estaba en la banda, se parecían mucho a Iron Maiden. Pesado, rápido, pero no del todo thrash. Lo siento si esto no tiene mucho sentido, tuve que usar el traductor de Google, ya que no sé muy bien español.

[@gabrielamartigani4337]

@@themetalone7739 Se entiende perfecto, no sabia que exodus al comienzo no era thrash, gracias por el dato

[@TheLordGoat]

Facts, for better or worse this guy gets zero credit considering hes the sound of Bay AreaThrash

[@enricodelmedico5080]

I can't believe how a story like the beginning of metallica's career... the first years of the band has not been turned into a bio-pic yet....it's so cinematografic...so unique...the move to SF...the join of Cliff...the trip to NY...the split of Mustaine...the enter of Kirk...the recording of Kill'em all....TOP

[@russellflagg8519]

And don't leave out how Anthrax gave them a fridge and took the metallica guys to their parent's houses so they could take a shower, and lent them all their stage gear for a trip to Europe when Metallica's got stolen.

[@cb3642]

What about the And justice for all, the whole bass stories. That's also a part of Metallica history

[@HerotsLament]

I always found it extremely odd and bizarre how metallica doesn't really talk about the early days very much, I have heard Kirk tell his account on the story but telling different things in each one, significant details that he doesn't mention in other interviews. I think most bizarre of all is how they all avoid talking about cliff's passing and get teary every single time. There's a very obscure rumor going around that cliff's death was not an accident but was actually sacrificed as a ritual for metallica to get fame and it has some weight to it.

[@davedecker1725]

@@HerotsLament oh sure! Let's sacrifice the most talented guy in the band!😆😆

[@playalot86]

@@HerotsLament Like what? 😑

[@Wardaddy4477]

We're all lucky to live our lives at the same time as Metallica and the whole thrash scene.

[@DankoHidalgo]

And the third World War

[@wizard2755]

@@DankoHidalgo I sooo can’t wait

[@RANS87IROCZ]

Was epic in my time for sure! Nothing like being a kid in the 80's and a teen by the 90's! Been hell of a ride!

[@nunyabizness5851]

I miss the 80’s

[@Pray-4-Me]

@@DankoHidalgo Give your life to Jesus, before its to late 🙏💛

[@mohdjuraimi8872]

No matter what haters (mostly not from the 80's) says...Kirk Hammett was,is and will always be legend in my book.not because whatever technical prowess,speedy badasses attitude that people wanted in metalhead but because he answered the call and took a chance....and become part of the beginning of it all ain't no one can deny that Respect And he's a nice dude.some jerk don't like it...ain't metal enough they say..hey,man.the guy ain't pretending,ain't no hypocrite,just being himself.so what if he's a nice guy.his guitar abilities? Good or bad or whatever...40+ years still doin it. Another Respect

[@joshparsons7631]

This man has put down some incredibly beautiful solos. People can talk about "G.O.A.T." status, which I mean, I'm not saying he's the greatest guitarist, but the personal spin, is a considerable amount of Metallica's sound. Pioneer of thrash.

[@clintwilson6380]

I still remember the day in high school a friend of mine showed me a cassette of Kill Em All and said dude, you gotta listen to this...

[@judsonkr]

Likewise.

[@emedel5772]

Ha ha! the summer of 1984 when I was like 14 years old, I got Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Randy Rhodes, and WASP posters all over my bedroom. My best friend shows up at my house with a Kill Em All cassette he borrowed from his cousin. He tells me the same thing. So I slap it into my cassette player and immediately my life changes forever.

[@skeezix8156]

Same here. 1983 8th grade woodshop class this headbanger chick throws in kill em all. Our teacher was an old hippie who was pretty cool with our music being loud. Pretty much stopped the whole shop.

[@jerrumite4425]

I would kill to have friends like that

[@Taxable_Trophy]

@@jerrumite4425 you can’t kill an innocent guy just because you wanna listen to music. That’s very selfish of you to do over music. That’s guy has a future family waiting for him and you’re planning to kill him.

[@shanebrown3320]

Always love hearing Kirk talk. Metallica wouldn't be nearly as popular without his riffs.

[@angelone1839]

Creeping Death riff!

[@robertramirez1082]

RIP Jon, and Marsha... You built the foundation for great things. Metallica just being one of many! Thanks for an awesome childhood (and adulthood) ! And thank you Kirk for kicking ass! 🤘

[@falseflag42]

Kirk you fully deserve all your success and wealth. Great stuff.

[@playermartin286]

meh

[@bongjovi4928]

@@playermartin286 looking a little green there 🤢

[@erikc4055]

Saw metallica last night in vegas they were badass they opened up with whiplash

[@barbaradykes5868]

I absolutely love all the interviews they click that Kirk does I 💕 to hear Kirk's interviews God he's so fine

[@JockJab]

I know about all of the hard work they did. But they're also incredibly lucky that they found Dave Mustaine and Kirk Hammett level guitarists by half assing the audition and on their tour for their first album went to another continent to play shows.

[@katekrylov]

Oh! Not only Dave had to suffer the bus from New York. Kirk and Cliff too! But, generally, I think, those were the best days of their lives.

[@christopherjaskowiak9327]

I think the difference between Dave's bus trip and the bus trip of Cliff and Kirk is that Cliff and Kirk most likely had some food and money for the journey, and Dave had nothing at all, and had to panhandle for several days.

[@almostliterally593]

Cliff suffered the worst bus trip of them all

[@katekrylov]

@@almostliterally593 yeah! I had this thought somewhere in the back of my mind too. Still can't believe such bad luck.

[@christopherjaskowiak9327]

@@almostliterally593 oh indeed! What a loss to the music world that was.

[@davidcurtis4478]

Love hearing all the stories.

[@mrjackbilbo]

His work on master of puppets is the defenition of the metallica sound,.

[@777Eliyahu]

Mustaine is my favorite guitar player and the GOAT, but Metallica really got lucky with Kirk, a dude that was flown out without any prior audition that happened to just fit the bands sounds like a glove over the next few albums. Love his stuff on Justice and the Black Album

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

Pretty sure they seen him and knew Exodus and wanted him

[@777Eliyahu]

@@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS have you ever played in a band? All the talent in the world cant magically create chemistry between members

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

@@777Eliyahu Yes I have, see my playlists from 88-92

[@thememecow1673]

They had played shows with exodus when Kirk was in that band

[@Torchbearer666]

Dude, his solo on RIde the Lightning is so fucking disturbing I can't believe a person wrote it

[@DarthPizza777]

i wish I could hang out with Metallica. They are so down to earth!! 🤘🤘

[@Banana_Split_Cream_Buns]

That brotherhood analogy at the very end is so important. Their experience reminds me of Guns n' Roses first road trip tour to Seattle: they had only just finalised the lineup but that horrible trip made them the band. That's a very key ingredient in these types of bands. The other very important thing is the scene. It is your community as a band. You need fans but you need fellow bands to bond with, compete with, jam with, tour with, share girlfriends with and to steal each other's music.

[@EddieNilsson1973]

Great story Kirk! You are awesome.. Love Metallica forever. ❤ Best band in the world!!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@russellflagg8519]

Love the picture with Jonny Z and Scott.

[@RETIREDAMATUER]

Just imagine where they would be if they still had cliff.. definitely would be a sight to see let alone a pure art of music to the ears they would probably never have softened up after ‘89

[@debbiemendoza5101]

I enjoy how you speak about the start of your epic adventure on how you started with Metallica Kirk you are such an amazing legandary guitarist definitely my favorite ever well done on your career Kirk 🎸🎶🤘👍

[@cpeduardo21]

0:36 maybe that's why he got to make a solo album

[@poopedcheetah2]

Best thing metallica ever did for metal was fire dave

[@rycor9117]

Yes so we could here Ell and Marty...

[@adamhinshaw1747]

Yes, because now we have two epic metal bands instead of one! 🤟

[@FOFF1914]

best comment ever, luckily he was fired and then Kirk Joined

[@metalmaniac8640]

Exactly Metallica sounded better with Kirk🤣

[@BillyGreen66]

Thank God for the Zazullas! The saw something that would grow into the best band of all time!

[@chrisk3754]

Kirk is the best-so humble. So much solid history-still sad about Cliff (RIP brother). Metallica rules! 4evr

[@joevilla340]

I do think James and Lars are in love with each other.

[@deantodd8103]

More like they're Al and Peggy - stuck with each other. 😆

[@aaronfisher7159]

There will never be another band today who will become famous like this. The 80s were a different time. It’s all digital these days. Hardly anyone goes to shows for local bands anymore

[@zlobert9877]

So true,so many bands nowadays yet they all go unnoticed,or listened to some time then forgotten.

[@ethanbarc]

His first show with Metallica was on April 16th 1983 and recorded Kill Em All after Recording the album in Upstate New York State in Rochester.

[@madometal]

Great story kirk was the right guy at the right place at the right time ..this was meant to be the 4 guys it was meant to happen..its still magical

[@jansandman6983]

Metallica is so lucky to have kirk, very humble person.

[@ToxicSentinelTTV]

Kirk aged like a fine wine

[@raumyurena5693]

James and Lars were happy to have a amazing lead guitarist who was going to take orders and NEVER questioned authority...

[@Torchbearer666]

I wouldn't paint as much as a spinless pushover as that. I think his personality was always laid back and as long as he played his role and contributed what he felt was worthwhile to the band he was happy. After all, it was Muistaine's big personality (+ the booze) that got him kicked out of the band. You can't have too many cooks in the kitchen, it'll just implode.

[@Bfair123]

Kirk has strong appeal, now I'm fallin' in love,lol

[@thawrath9306]

He did come up with the main riff of Enter Sandman. He's their commercial success.

[@ethanbarc]

He absolutely remembers going to his birthplace on the tour bus with Cliff and remembering the cassette of the album that Lars and James had they came back with it and remembers Cliff and Lars and James were getting up at 6::00 pm in the evening he was so blown away and he couldn’t figure out why James was Lars who laughed so hard but because Dave was out of the picture and Kirk was in the picture so things were different for him.

[@legendjrx556]

Yes they are in fact in love with each other

[@ll7868]

Portland, Oregon, August 1983, Raven & Metallica, my introduction to thrash metal. Thanks dad.

[@chip9832]

Cool interview

[@billhewlett1214]

I meet him at the Rathskeller Boston he said they had a record coming out bought him a few Becks good times 👊

[@TheOriginalArchie]

If you want to hear the full interview, it's Dean Delray's podcast. Episode 513. Its on youtube.

[@maximummatt73]

Big Kirk is the shit

[@R4y69]

I would argue that dave is a better guitarrist thrn kirk, but kirk seems easier to get along with and thats is what metallica needed ans still need, someone that can keep themselves coolheaded

[@alangregg5520]

That's what it was about. Dave was another leader. Too many cooks...

[@UltraViolent21]

Big Dave burn. Kirk and Dave are both amazing musicians in my book.

[@DizzyDez613]

I still can’t believe Little Kirky H was just 13 years old when they recorded “Kill ‘Em All.” Amazing!

[@maxlu9373]

He was 20 tho

[@DizzyDez613]

@@plamtie Ummm, actually… he was 9. “4 years old.” Come on, man. Don’t be ridiculous.

[@DizzyDez613]

@@plamtie It’s ok. It’s an honest mistake. A lot of people get Lars and Kirk mixed up cuz they were both so young. It’s why Lars sucks at drums. He left his lessons at the age of 4 to join a band.

[@cauliflowerconnoisseur2710]

he only aged in the last 4 years i swear. James ages 15 years between MOP and AJFA lmao

[@DizzyDez613]

@@cauliflowerconnoisseur2710 lmfaooooo

[@doctorbarber1]

2:14 aka the Mustaine

[@TrevyTrev-andTheFunkyPets]

Looking back it was pretty silly not to do a video for Ride The Lightning album. It worked out , but still. Just like Ozzy/RR era.

[@SKARKIBANEZ]

Are they in love each other? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Billy_Almighty]

Idol Kirk.🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@kevincurry8350]

But a lot of the riffs you were playing on kill em all, were written by Dave.

[@taicollier6388]

Some of the riffs off of the Ride The Lightning album were also written by Dave

[@rycor9117]

He learned all Daves solos and made them better in short time. Of course Dave has riffs he is part of Metallica and always will be. I'm glad he found the band members he did for Megadeth they carried him a lot. I like Daves playing but not really his singing. I love Marty and Ell through all the band members they went through - Dave was the root cause of the bands issues throughout basically an aHOLE. He was to small for Metallica, now if Testament got more love I would really be happy. ANd before you type it - Yes Dave is way more technical but KH in his prime wrote way better solos. ANd yes they are old now and get all the hate but not from me.

[@yearginclarke]

@@rycor9117 I think Kirk's versions of Dave's solos are WAY better.

[@bigassdummy46]

@@rycor9117 he has the advantage of recording a professional sounding album where all of Dave's playing were basically recorded live on a cassette. Pretty sure Dave would have ripped hard on professional album as he did on Peace Sells and Killing is my buisness

[@metalmaniac8640]

"Alot" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ashchaya7676]

Anyone know who their old guitar player was? Might be a cool story.

[@thewaywardson2962]

Sarcasm?

[@ashchaya7676]

@@thewaywardson2962 Yes :) I thought it would get some bites but alas, nothing.

[@ethanbarc]

Kirk Hammett as a lead guitar 🎸 player has been in Metallica for forty one years since April 1st 1983 and has been in Metallica ever since.Replacing their old guitarist Dave Mustaine who currently is in Megadeath.

[@Crimson28]

What podcast is this from?

[@renemarrero6523]

Long way to the top

[@barbaradykes5868]

Oh okay and one more thing people that talk about the slow songs have they actually really listened you okay the music in the vocals after absolutely go and compliment each other the songs are so good they're I mean great they're haunting and if you really listen you everything goes together you're okay and that's extreme talent I'm sorry I can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and guess what they have that abilit ability Kirk is the best plain simple enough said

[@ethanbarc]

He toured Kill Em All from 1983 to 1984 it was Metallicas kill em all for one tour only but unfortunately he doesn’t really remember much of it because they only agree twenty four hours a day.

[@pjbrown4736]

Mustaine has steam pouring out hearing these words.

[@natefontana5757]

Lars and James were definitely in love

[@annetteslife]

I guess that James and Lars were talking about Dave

[@Sage.the.red_fox]

HAHA- 0:12 “What’s up with these guys? Are they in love with each other or something?”

[@zackdaniels6858]

Very cool.

[@theariesexperiment4642]

WOW!!! $15,000 to record an album!!??!!?? That wouldn't even have gotten you raw tracks untouched back then in a legit studio. That's insane they recorded "Kill'em All" for that kinda money.

[@UltraViolent21]

Kirk > Dave

[@angelone1839]

Why aren't they making a movie about Metallica like they did Motley Crue?

[@Grandizer8989]

Because they are family men and not controversial or drug riddled besides James falling off the wagon a few times. And nobody wants a movie about in fighting. Short answer, the movie would be drama free besides Cliff’s death.

[@darkkrenaissance42]

Greatest 15 grand ever spent

[@Jmjm-wl7pd]

So should they make a Pantera one

[@shawncamp333]

I'm really happy Dave Mustain made megadeth. He was way too good for metallica

[@Linkacide]

I wonder what he thinks of Dave always wining about being kicked out of Metallica

[@worsley1]

Dean Delray podcast.

[@Ranmann86]

RIP Johnny Z

[@penoyer79]

Dave Mustaine has that effect on people.

[@aisle_of_view]

I'd like to hear about that shrink and how he joined the band when James was in rehab.

[@ralphfiligenzi6180]

I taught Hammett many guitar riffs and techniques in the early and mid 70's.

[@judsonkr]

Me too!

[@ralphfiligenzi6180]

@@judsonkr Yeah but I taught you.

[@judsonkr]

@@ralphfiligenzi6180 OMG I wondered what happened to you! Where ye been?

[@ralphfiligenzi6180]

@@judsonkr I was watching my old video's of me teaching Michael Jackson how to dance from the late 60's and early 70's.

[@acb9896]

So that's where he learned to cup the balls... Small world.

[@aeronbern1769]

When talking about the Mustain split, and wheater the metallica guys where unfair to hin, people do not to consider how Dave must have been unbearable.

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Interesting

[@deathweasle5061]

I dont think kirks been offically introduced into metallica

[@chrislaprete7582]

Glad Dave was booted Megadeth is awesome.

[@suffocationgreece1911]

Ok who said Kirk is underrated🤔 Who said kirk didnt involved in songs wrighting??? Who made all these unforgetable historic soloes???? Lars or maybe james???😆😆😆(putting aside Kill em all) Answer me dickheads. The Guy is just low profile but he is aN unstopable solo-machine at the same time

[@kostazarikos3383]

He wrote enter sandmans main riff lol and a bunch others. Plus some of the most iconic solos

[@ramon2008]

Definitely totally agree 💯. Low profile but underrated ??? You gotta be silly To make that statement. Kirk is a metal titan.

[@ll7868]

Man, shit was complicated back then. Living in San Fran and needing to rent a second place just to record in New York and needing to pay for the recording and living expenses with just $10k...$10k won't even cover a studio down payment to record an album anymore, the mics used for the drum tracks probably cost more.

[@Derazed85]

Are you in Metallica? Kirk: Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.....

[@wagnerpaivafernandes]

I thank God that Kirk was hired because that created my favorite band, Megadeth .🙂

[@SavitTheGoalie]

Kirt is amazing guitarist but he’s no Dave

[@vladv5126]

Indeed. He can actually write catchy stuff instead of being just technically impressive for the most part.

[@absinthedream9668]

@@vladv5126 Neither Dave or Kirk are technically that advanced but they are both pioneers in that genre, Mustaine is a killer songwriter and has come up with mountains of material that's the difference in my eyes.

[@ernieball7567]

You are absolutely right ! He is no Dave, and doesn’t need to be.

[@SavitTheGoalie]

Look at songs like back in the day that has catchy riffs

[@RandomPerson-ui3xv]

He doesn't need to be dave. He's special in his own way. These people always like to compare

[@TheSaintedOne]

First thing Metallica did with the Kill 'em All tape? Made copies. Lol Screw Napster though.

[@louiselockett2905]

Weird how you had to be a passive beta male to play lead guitar for Metallica. Good thing for Mustaine that he wasn't or he might have committed suicide. Good thing for us metal heads everything worked out in the end. Kirk seems like the nicest person you could ever meet.

[@_baller]

Lars and James def gay tho

[@youtubeshadowbannedmylasta2629]

the more I learn about metallica the more I realize how much I really do not like them.

[@ryancoleman7378]

Ha he thought they were gay

[@STAND-ALONE]

Kurt did not record kill"em all. Dave mustaine was the guitar player on kill' em all and ride the lightning. I don't know what Kurt is talking about right now!

[@Sage.the.red_fox]

Multiple things I have to say. First.. His name is Kirk not Kurt. Second, Dave Mustaine wrote a lot of guitar on Kill ‘Em All but he did not play it on the album, Kirk did. Also, Dave only wrote 2-3 riffs on the entire ride the lightning album.

[@STAND-ALONE]

@@Sage.the.red_fox lol

[@deletedhero5579]

Kurt didn't play on kill em all or ride the lightning, neither did Dave but Kirk did.

[@STAND-ALONE]

@@deletedhero5579 Well you can blame speak text for that, but on kill'em all. Dave was with Lars James and Cliff. They all wrote the majority of kill'em all. Dave had a lot to do with it. Dave had a lot to do with ride the lightning,.. Dave says so himself... So what if speak Text spelled his name wrong. You knew exactly what I meant.

[@deletedhero5579]

@@STAND-ALONE I was only messing but Dave did write 4 songs on kill em all but he only actually wrote 3 riffs on the whole of the ride the lightning album.

[@judsonkr]

Not worried about money now.

[@carlosturko1081]

FIRST!!!!

[@sue_m]

Rochester, Kirk. You came to Rochester to record. Not "upstate."

[@paulozavala3232]

Wooooow, ooohhh, nooooo, wow, naaaaah, dat true?? Wooooow. Americans talking american🤣🤣

[@tolga1255]

Pfff he talks like he plays. No fluency and structure at all and several fuckups every 2 sentences.

[@shaunduffy5180]

Over rated hack!! Ruins every band he comes in contact with!! Spandex wearing phony in Exodus...to a replacement for a guitarist who's lost more talent than hammet will ever have!!! As over rated as they come!

[@VesicABand]

gees bro everything alright at home?

[@deletedhero5579]

Actually he created Exodus, named the band and was their main songwriter. He also taught Gary Holt to play guitar. He's also written some of Metallicas most iconic riffs. But I'm sure you've done better.

[@shaunduffy5180]

@@deletedhero5579 he actually didn't create exodus. And it doesn't take a mensa member to see what happens to bands he's involved with...talent goes away and musical integrity disappears. Nothing but label whores. But u already knew that..didnt u? Wannabe rock journalist. Apparently the lessons were a complete waste of time considering Gary could lose both arms and still play circles around Kirk the wah wah boy. Go play w ur Legos.

[@Christophernorbits]

Kirk just had to say "move forward", the most overrated, over used phrase. Stop saying it, people!