He might live in a rather nice home on top of a very steep hill, but Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett is no lord of the manor-type guy. The 36 year old Bay Area guitarist (born in San Francisco's Mission District) is one of the friendliest, most amiable of rock stars.

As the lead guitarist for one of the world's most successful bands, Hammett has earned the praise and plaudits of millions for his tasteful and articulate solos, which evoke all manner of players from Michael Schenker to Jimi Hendrix, and in the process has helped Metallica sell over 60 million records worldwide.

He joined the band in 1983 after receiving a phone call from New York, where Metallica were making their debut album Kill 'Em All, and having thrashed his way through their storming debut, he quickly etched his own style on 1984's Ride The Lightning and 1986's Master Of Puppets. By the time Metallica sold over 12 million copies of 1991's eponymous "Black Album" Hammett was in need of a recharge.

Fresh from time spent in college during 1994, a revamped Hammett stepped out with a refined Metallica in 1996 for the Load album. His playing, too, had undergone a change, less flurry and more measure, a response to time spent enjoying more jazz and blues-based influences. The musical maturation of band and player was further enhanced by Hammett swapping lead and rhythm guitar duties with Metallica frontman James Hetfield, a move which added yet another string to Hammett's neck of accomplishments.

The past year has been a busy one for Hammett. Metallica's Garage Inc. covers-only double album was released, the group toured international stadiums and festivals this Summer, but most significantly, on April 21 and 22, Metallica performed a pair of shows with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under the guidance of composer Michael Kamen. Hammett recently took some time to discuss those shows...

Read the interview here:
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Read previous interviews here:

Also look at:
www.GuitarSite.com/bands3.htm#metallica

Metal Fatigue: Kirk Hammett tells why Metallica will never be metal again:
www.GuitarSite.com/database/Bands/Artists/rec/326

The Official Metallica Site
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Official Metallica Tour Site
www.metontour.com