Metallica Guitarist Makes Major Admission Audio Ink Radio

Metallica Guitarist Makes Major Admission

2025-04-03

While doing the interview rounds for his new book, “The Collection: Kirk Hammett,” the Metallica guitarist dropped a bombshell. – Author: Cat Badra, photo by Ken Settle

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett is doing the press rounds to promote his new book, “The Collection: Kirk Hammett,” a 400-page luxury coffee table book that shows off his incredible collection of guitars over the years.

In doing the interview rounds with the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, Hammett talked about everything from his new book to one song in the thrash metal band’s collection that actually makes him tear up.

Which Metallica Song Makes Kirk Hammett Cry?

Speaking with the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, Hammett said that he got emotional and even perhaps teared up a big when he heard one new Metallica song, and added that other band members in the legendary group had the same response. Who says that metal guys can’t have soft years?

Hammett was talking about the collaborative album “Lulu,” which Metallica did with Lou Reed. The release got panned by the press and listeners alike, but Hammett has a special spot for it.

“That album means so much to me for a number of reasons,” Hammett said. “The lyrics are amazing. It’s poetry from track to track. I’m a huge Lou Reed fan. To be able to hang out with him and work with him musically meant so much.”

The song that makes him tear up is “Junior Dad.” Of the track, Hammett said that he “can’t listen to it, man. Brings me to tears.”

“I remember when Lou said, ‘I have a song for you and I want this to be on the album.’ And he played it for James [Hetfield] and I,” Hammett said. “And by the end of the song, I looked at James, and James looked at me and we both had tears in our eyes. Then Lou Reed came in and saw us both crying in the kitchen. He’s smiling and he said, ‘I got you, didn’t I?'”

As for Hammett’s new book, it’s a special one because, it “documents the instruments Kirk has leaned on throughout his career, from his early days with Exodus to today.” According to the book’s official description, “Among the detailed pieces are Kirk’s first-ever Gibson, the 1979 Flying V and the legendary Greeny, the 1959 Gibson Les Pau Standard formerly owned by Peter Green and Gary Moore.”

Kirk Hammett Loves the Greeny Guitar

Speaking of his beloved Greeny, Hammett says, “It’s so special. I don’t really feel like it’s mine. I feel like I’m the caretaker. I feel so fortunate that I got that guitar. It’s changed my guitar style.”

He added, “It’s opened up my ears. It allows me to feel everything that much deeper. I get emotional about it, because I feel like I have such a connection to it.”

According to Cesar Gueikian, president and CEO of Gibson, they’ve been working on this particular project with Hammett for years, so it’s a long time coming.

He adds, “I had the opportunity to work closely with Kirk on the composition of the collection for the book. It was a thrill to put this together and it took a village to get it done! I hope everyone appreciates the work that went into this book and enjoys every story behind the guitars.”

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Cat Badra

Meet the expert - Cat Badra is a music writer for Audio Ink Radio and a range of other music, sports and lifestyle publications. She's a graduate of Michigan State University with a master's degree in theater and speech. Contact her at cat@audioinkradio.com.

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