Kirk Hammett

Kirk Hammett
Hammett performing with Metallica in 2017
Hammett performing with Metallica in 2017
Background information
Birth nameKirk Lee Hammett
Born (1962-11-18) November 18, 1962 (age 62)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1979–present
LabelsBlackened
Member ofMetallica
Formerly of
Websitemetallica.com

Kirk Lee Hammett (born November 18, 1962)[1] is an American musician who has been the lead guitarist of heavy metal band Metallica since 1983. Prior to joining Metallica, he co-formed the thrash metal band Exodus in 1979. In 2003, Hammett, along with bandmate James Hetfield, was ranked 23rd on Rolling Stone's list of Greatest Guitarists of All Time.[2] In 2009, Hammett was ranked number 15 in Joel McIver's book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists.[3][4][5]

  1. ^ Moskowitz, David V. (November 10, 2015). The 100 Greatest Bands of All Time: A Guide to the Legends Who Rocked the World. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-4408-0340-6.
  2. ^ "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Rolling Stone. October 13, 2023. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  3. ^ Mciver, Joel (2008). Axebringer, Tharg (ed.). The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists. Jawbone Press. p. 153. ISBN 978-1-906002-20-6.
  4. ^ "Thought Processor: Joel McIver's 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists list". metal-militant-thoughtprocessor.blogspot.com. May 30, 2010. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  5. ^ "Joel McIver - 100 greatest guitarists in metal - Ultimate Metal Forum". ultimatemetal.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.