Meeting Kirk Hammet Of Metallica in 1993
Instagram just made me feel old. The same feeling I thought about aunts and uncles kinda old, when I was 14. Kirk Hammett is at fault, and I don't know how to feel about this.
He was such a Monumental influence in my life as far as music goes and was my inspiration to start learning the electric guitar on my own. No teacher. Which probably explains why I’m not that good. Yet, there was a time, when I was adored my millions, during a brief stint as the rhythm guitarist of my band in high school, FreeBeer.
I remember as if it was yesterday, when me friends and I won the Battle of the Bands two years in a row. Both songs were Metallica, 'Search & Destroy' and 'Sanitarium' respectively. My school mates were loving it, as the teachers and headmaster were cringing and gritting their teeth, the school priest clutching his crucifix waiting for the rapture to happen, our band about to be possessed into a death squad of rabid demon children. They didn't seem to understand what was going on? Mr. Barber did though, my basketball coach, he had a smile as wide as the Cheshire cat's grin.
So there I was the other night, trolling through Instagram high as fuck when I decided to check out my childhood idol, Kirk Hammett. What was this? Not even 1 million followers? Surely you jest? I reloaded the page. Again, the same number appeared before my conundrum filled eyes. This is not possible, I expected at least 10mil followers.
My curiosity and anger had been set in motion; it was time to check out the modern 'musicians' of today, if that’s what we can call them. Lets go straight to the top.
Ok that was enough I almost threw up… I did throw up in my brain, and it really hurt. Was juuuust about to check out the Kardashian's page, but decided against it due to the unpleasant life hazard of throwing my phone against the wall. Holy Jeezuz Peter, I still can't get the 'champagne-butt' photo out of the dark recesses of my skull, from a distance I thought it was Peter Griffin's chin. However in all fairness to the list above, Cristiano Ronaldo is the Man, and most probably the greatest footballer of this generation. Period.
You must understand my sadness in regards to this crime, of Kirk having far less followers than the above-mentioned entertainers. To fully envelope my emotion, we must take a trip back in time. To another place, Sin City… Jakarta 1993. I was 16.
A group of friends and I managed to find out where Metallica was staying, and we headed there with great expectations to meet them. As we arrived, there were a few security guards and the security fence was just about to be installed. We bribed the guards with smokes and beer, and they let us into the lobby.
A few hours had passed until James Hetfield walked in, we stood up and he waved to us, followed by Lars Ulrich, he flipped us the bird and then Jason Newsted who casually came over and said thanks before the three of them headed into the elevator. But where was Kirk? He was my Gandalf, the trip would've been useless without him presenting himself.
"Hey guys, what’s up?"
A voice calmly spoke behind me; I turned around full of suspense… It was he. I was in the presence of Lord Kirk, the epitome of 'metal guitar'. The Guardian of Strings and the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. I couldn't move nor speak, perhaps I even farted.
He was shorter than me, standing there with a plastic cup full of beer. The conversation started with,
“So you kids live here?” to which I replied,
“Me Kevin, me ape, me likey Kirk music, good it is.”
Well, that's how it felt like it came out anyway. When all was good and done about fifteen minutes later, Kirk shook our hands and said goodbye to us. But before he rode off into the sunset, he turned around, put his hand on my shoulder and said;
“Hey kid, you’re alright, stay out of trouble.”
And with that final moment in my memories forever, I knew everything was going to be all right… after I went to jail at least once.
Nirvana is the band that defined my adolescence, however Metallica were the first band I saw live (excluding the support obviously).
Nirvana for sure legendary as well, no doubt about that. I still think Eddie Veddar killed him though. Haha
Great story mate. I'm a long serving Metallica lover as well. How this post hasn't received more attention I have no idea.
Keep up the great work! Oh and get practising your guitar playing. :P
Mucho for the kind words my man, yea not a band out there in the heavy scene that can match these guys, Metallica is forever.
P.s. Ive moved to trumpet, guitar is hanging on the wall for almost two decades, its a BC RICH Warlock.
What a great experience you had. Did you meet Kirk after your 1993 event? BTW, most of the pre-Internet musicians have not that great presence in social media. It is what it is.
Yea, it was one to remember. And yes, to answer your question I did meet him again, 3 years ago in Bali. He comes here once a couple of years, hangs out with th Pro surfers, one of my good mates.
Will make a post about this too. Dude is so chilled, loves to long board. Thanks for the comments.
That surfer dude! :) hahahaha Looking forward to the post!
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