Kirk Hammett was born in San Francisco on the 18th of November, 1962. His Father was from the Philippines while his mother was from Ireland. Has two sibblings one older brother and one younger sister. His brother was a hippie and introduced Kirk to the weird world of hippie music. Kirk collected (and still does) Old Horror stuff like comics, action figures, models ect.) When he was 13, his life turned upside down when his family and him moved to El Sobraite in the East Bay. People in that side of the city listened to different music and that set Kirk apart from the other kids at school. Kirk didn't like sports. By this time Kirk was introverted. He also read alot. When he was 15 he brought a Montamery Ward Strat from a friend for $10 along with a Kiss album ''Dressed to kill''. It wasn't until 6 months later that he started play the guitar because his brother told him to practice. He went to watch bands play in bars (one of these bands was EZ Street that Cliff Burton and Jim Martin were in''. He noticed most bands played ''Purple Hase'' by Jimi Hendrix, which he had heard the first time on the radio when he was 6. The next day he bought a Hendrix album. He had also formed a little band called ''Mesh''. By now he had a blonde Fender Stratocaster because of Jimi. When he was 17, he bought a 1979 Gibson Flying V. He loved that guitar and still has it! He had also started Guitar lessons from Joe Satriani. He was now a lead guitarist and with his Flying V he started playing with people, and soon formed a band called ''Exodus''. They became very popular in San Francisco and had many fans. Thay opened for Metallica twice between November 82 -March 83. There manager Mark Whitaker knew Metallica and went to New York with them. Kirk was pissed off that they were the band that he wanted his band to be. On April 1st (April's Fools Day) Mark, James & Lars rang Kirk Hammett asking him i'm he wanted to join Metallica. Mark had told them to pick Kirk. Kirk though it was a joke and said yes. Then he realised it was for real whan James rang him the next day for details. So Kirk flew to New York not knowing what was ahead. This was also his first time out of California. When he arrived at the audition at 4pm, he found found out that they were all asleep and then sais to himself '' Gee, Rock & Roll!?). During that audition James, Lars & Cliff were smiling. Kirk thought ''Do they think this is funny or are they just happy people?''. Kirk was now in Metallica. He only knew that when they went into the recording studio. After the album was completed, they went on the road playing gigs across the U.S.A finally finishing in S.F on a sell out gig at ''The Stone''. When R.T.L was released it showed what Cliff & Kirk are best at doing. Kick Ass solos on that album brought attention to guitar fans. While on tour he bought a Jackson Custom Shop Randy Rhoades Flying V. In fact,he had to wait 2 hours fot the nuts to stick before he could play it. He had also bought a Fernandes Strat with Floyd Rose Tremolo. In 1985, Kirk was at I RULE! form. Kick ass solos such as Master Of Puppets, Damage Inc, Disposable Heroes proved hard but satisfing. When album was finished he was at top form live. After the death of Cliff Burton, Metallica seemed like they couldn't carry on but they did and with there new Bassist Jason Newsted, they were back on top form. After recording ''Garage Days Re-Revisited'' they played Monsters Of rock. On December 3rd, Kirk married his Kirk friend Rebecca. Soon after the band started writing a new album. Kirk wanted to porve to everyone that he was the best Lead guitarist in the world!? Hey had bought an E.S.P M-II and this baby was a deadly guitar. ''...And Justice For All'' Blew peoples mind away. James crunching riffs followed by Kirks ripping solos. Then the Damaged Justice tour was a great success. Around Febuary 1990, at about 3.06 AM in the mornimg Kirk wrote the main riff for Enter Sandman. After 13 months of recording, Metallica's new album called''Metallica'' was released, Kirk had changed from Speed to blues yet still was fast in solos. After 3 and 1/2 years of touring and divorcing from Rebecca, He was back to normal life. Metallica where now about to record a new ablum. In Christmas of 1995, Kirk decided as a present to him self to get a tatoo. He got ''Made In S.F 11/18/62'' wrapped around his belly Button and flames on his hips. He then cut his hair, and got his belly button, nose twice, and hid lip all pierced! He then started painting his nails black. After Load was recorded they went straight on tour. In 1997 they released Reload, cinda a sequel. They pladed some promo and Club shows in Europe and then started touring Austrilia & the Pacific Rim. Then it was back to The USA where they played ALOT of shows. A day after there last show they went to the recording studios AGAIN to record 10 songs for Garage Inc. They then played some promo shows and played in S.F with the S.F symphony for two nites and then onto South America, and then to Europe (where I got to see them for the first time!) Kirk is a god to me and to his fans. Also Kirk got married to Lani, which he married on the 31st of January in Haiwai. Compiled by Kevin Flynn, thnx to Metclub, Chapter Inc, Kirk Hammett Web-site (not this one) and Encycmet. Thanx guys
