Metallica's Kirk Hammett on Whom He Would Induct Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Posted on Apr 3rd 2009 12:00PM by Carlos Ramirez Comments


Metallica have had many highlights in their storied career, but on April 4, when the band is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they're finally going to get the kind of hallowed recognition usually reserved for non-metal acts. To think that the band who wrote throat shredders like "Whiplash" and "Dyers Eve" will be sharing space in the Hall with legends like the Beatles, Hank Williams, and Otis Redding, is truly mind-boggling. Metallica's induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is nothing short of a victory for the metal community.

Noisecreep caught up with Metallica axe-slinger Kirk Hammett to ask him his thoughts on this pivotal moment in the band's career and whom he would induct into the Hall if he were in charge.

Congrats on getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! It must be surreal. It took so long for Black Sabbath to get in, and like Metallica, they've influenced so many musicians. Do you still think there's a prejudice against heavy metal in the rock world?

Thanks so much! Yeah, we still seem to be the red-headed stepchild of the music scene. It's pretty ridiculous. There are things that factor into it I guess. The imagery is so strong that it probably just scares the mainstream. Through the years, I've met so many different kinds of people who love metal. These days there are no boundaries. You even see business-type guys at shows. So I don't know, maybe it will change for the scene in terms of respect.

So Jason Newsted will be joining you guys on stage during the ceremony.

Yeah, Jason will be there with us. He was with the band for 14 years and he went through so much with us. Not having him there would just feel wrong. I'm glad he'll be up there with us to enjoy all of this.

Will he be playing too?

He'll definitely be playing with us too which will be a lot of fun.

Is Dave Mustaine going to attend the ceremony?

We would love that but the truth is that we don't know if he'll be there. I don't know if you read what he said in the press a few weeks ago. He said he wouldn't be coming because of his tour or something. It would be cool if he made it out though. You never know I guess.

Do you have any idea what songs you'll be performing?

I'm sure we all have our personal wish lists in mind right now, but we haven't sat down to really discuss it. I know we'll be playing at least two of our songs during the ceremony. I guess we should figure that out soon (laughter).

The induction ceremony always has a big jam session at the end. Which of the night's inductees do you look forward to playing with?

That's really easy for me. Jeff Beck is going to be inducted into the Hall that night too and I'm a huge fan of his work. I can't wait to see him, and if he joined in the jam session, I would be so f*cking excited for that! If I got the chance to play along his side, it would a big honor me. Who knows who else will get in on the jam, but Jeff Beck would be enough for me.

If you could induct someone into the Hall, who would it be?

In a perfect world, I would say Rush. They are one of the most consistent yet overlooked bands around. The amount of power and noise that they create out of just three musicians is really amazing. There's no one like them. Rush is like a combination of a Phillip K. Dick novel and Cream (laughter). When they came out, they were in between Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and us. They are so influential in the rock world. I hope that the people who vote for this stuff get the band in there soon, because they deserve it. If they do get voted in someday, I would be interested in being the person actually inducting them that night (laughter).

You just said that it would be Rush, but I sense from the sound of your voice that there's another band you would want to see inducted as well.

Yeah, definitely dude. I know they haven't sold that many records compared to some of the bands in the Hall, but UFO should be in there. I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon though. Hey, maybe in 40-50 years they'll get in, but not in the near future. I've loved UFO since I was a teenager.


I know you're a big Michael Schenker fan. Have you had the chance to jam with him?

He's one of my favorite guitarists for sure. I've met him a few times socially but we've never had the chance to play together. If we ever got together to jam, it would be a dream come true for me.


Noisecreep Test

    Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Mastodon at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Mastodon at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Crowd at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Neurosis at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Neurosis at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Crowd at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Baroness at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Baroness at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Baroness at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

Filed under: Interview, Exclusive

All the Metallica info you want to know

'Metallica Through the Never' 3D Film…

Noisecreep

Metallica's James Hetfield recently stated that the band was in the final process…

Metallica's James Hetfield on New…

Noisecreep

Donald Kravitz, Getty Images If you are frustrated by talk of a Metallica album…

10 Best Heavy Metal Compilations

Noisecreep

eBay.com (2) Metal compilations have been pumped out in extraordinary numbers…

See all Metallica »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

Your Settings

{email}

Subscriptions

Weekly Newsletter

Noisecreep news in your mailbox. Top Articles, reviews, photos & more.

Realtime alerts

Daily alerts


Update
Cancel