Kirk Hammett started playing guitar at the age of 15 in 1973. He was inspired by seeing a concert featuring UFO, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin when he was 13 and quickly became obsessed with learning how to play the instrument. After getting his first electric guitar from his parents as a Christmas present, Kirk began teaching himself how to play by listening to recordings of the bands he admired and trying to copy their styles. Over time, he developed his own unique approach which later would make him one of the most acclaimed metal guitarists in history.
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Early Life and Musical Interests
Kirk Hammett, the iconic lead guitarist of Metallica, has been credited with elevating metal music to a new level. Before joining Metallica in 1983 and becoming one of the most influential musicians of his generation, Kirk’s early life was filled with exploration and experimentation in terms of music.
Born in San Francisco, California on November 18th 1962, it wasn’t until he was 16 that Kirk began playing guitar. His friends convinced him to pick up an instrument after they had heard him hum along to popular songs such as Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple tunes. It wasn’t long before Kirk felt ready to join a band and start taking the music scene seriously. He joined Exodus at 19 years old when their original guitarist left for college. With Exodus, Hammett released three albums; Bonded by Blood (1985), Pleasures of the Flesh (1987) and Fabulous Disaster (1989).
In addition to metal bands, Hammett often listened to jazz fusionists such as John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola and Larry Coryell which would all later have a significant influence on his guitar playing style during his time with Metallica. He also found inspiration from diverse genres like punk rock bands Dead Kennedys or Fear; The Ventures surf rock sounds or even classical composers Mozart and Vivaldi. Clearly inspired by many different types of music over the years helped shape Hammett’s signature soloing style – making him one of the greatest lead guitarists ever known today.
First Guitar and Early Practice
Kirk Hammett started playing guitar when he was 15-years old and growing up in the San Francisco Bay area. His first instrument was a secondhand $35 Harmony Rocket and it wasn’t long before he began practicing almost every day, mastering popular rock songs such as Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”. After months of practice, his natural talent became evident to friends, family and even some professional musicians in the local music scene. He soon outgrew his Harmony Rocket so Kirk decided to build his own guitars from discarded pieces which were donated by local repair shops. Although he had no formal training in lutherie, within a few months he managed to assemble fully functioning instruments with excellent tone and playability. He then lent them to local artists for gigs at nearby clubs, who reportedly praised their quality.
By 17-years old, Kirk knew he wanted to be a full time musician but lacked the confidence and skills required for success on stage. With this newfound motivation he attended more jam sessions around town while further developing his craft – learning scales and playing faster than ever before – all while still attending high school classes during the day. It wasn’t long before members of other bands noticed his raw talent and invited him join their groups – leading him down the path that would eventually land him an audition for Metallica four years later.
Joining Metallica: Early Years
Kirk Hammett’s musical journey began at the tender age of 15 when he decided to learn guitar. Born in San Francisco, California in 1962, he initially explored genres such as jazz and blues. Soon after, however, his attention was drawn towards rock music and metal sounds that eventually led him to Metallica.
During the early 1980s, Kirk joined Exodus and played with them for a brief period before switching to Metallica in 1983. After his induction into the band, Hammett quickly got to work on producing lead guitar parts which later appeared on their legendary album “Master of Puppets” released in 1986. His solos featured creative use of advanced techniques such as tapping and sweeping which became a defining feature of this critically acclaimed record. The timeless classic also launched Kirk into fame amongst hard-rockers around the world who loved his innovative yet simple style of playing.
In addition to technical prowess, Kirk’s enthusiasm for thrash metal served Metallica greatly during live performances; these were punctuated by powerful energy often associated with headbanging anthems like “For Whom The Bell Tolls”. This knack for creating enthralling shows subsequently made them one of the most successful heavy metal bands ever produced in history – all thanks to Hammerhead’s remarkable talent as an instrumentalist.
Developing as a Guitarist in Metallica
Kirk Hammett has long been a staple in the metal music scene, ever since he joined Metallica in 1983. After only two years of playing guitar, Hammett’s explosive solos and intricate lead riffs became an integral part of the band’s sound. His improvisational approach helped to push the limits of what was possible musically, and allowed Metallica to explore new sonic possibilities within their hard rock and heavy metal style.
Hammett began his career as a guitarist at a young age, taking up lessons when he was just 15 years old. He quickly developed a proficiency on the instrument, mastering several styles such as jazz, classical, blues and hard rock. When it came time for him to audition for Metallica in 1983, he had already begun creating an impressive solo repertoire that would soon become part of their signature sound.
The members of Metallica were immediately impressed by Hammett’s musical skills and creativity; so much so that they decided to keep him on board even after his initial six-month trial period expired. From there on out Kirk remained an essential part of their lineup as he continued to refine his technique while developing unique leads with each album release over the course of three decades with the group. Despite now being considered one of the greatest electric guitarists alive today, Kirk’s journey began with humble beginnings back when he first joined Metallica almost four decades ago – ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead with remarkable zeal and enthusiasm from start to finish.
Impact on the World of Heavy Metal Music
Kirk Hammett’s impact on the world of heavy metal music has been immense since he first picked up a guitar in 1979. He is best known for his long tenure as lead guitarist of thrash metal giants Metallica, but his influence on the genre is unmistakable. From his blistering solos to his unique blend of classical and jazz influences, Kirk’s playing style has left an indelible mark on generations of heavy metal musicians around the world.
Hammett was never content with simply replicating existing styles; instead, he sought to push boundaries and explore new sounds. His contribution to Metallica albums such as Master Of Puppets (1986) and Ride The Lightning (1984) elevated the band’s sound to another level entirely – one that would define their legacy as one of the most influential bands in heavy metal history. Beyond Metallica, Hammett went on to collaborate with artists such as Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, further cementing his status as one of modern music’s most respected figures.
Throughout Kirk’s illustrious career, he has also released multiple instructional books designed to help aspiring guitarists hone their skills; these titles have proved invaluable resources for those looking to follow in his footsteps. Hammett often visits schools and music workshops across America to share his knowledge with young players – evidence that even after more than 40 years at the top of his craft, Kirk still values giving back to the community that made him who he is today.
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