Kirk Hammett Recalls His Joining To Metallica: “Paul Baloff Poured A Beer Over My Head”

In a new appearance on Gibson, Kirk Hammett, known for the guitarist of the heavy metal band Metallica, recalled his joining to the band and remembered how Exodus members reacted to him.

In 1983, Metallica fired Dave Mustaine, who formed Megadeth after he departed from Metallica and earned world-success, and invited Kirk Hammett to join the band. Kirk Hammett left Exodus and joined the fold and became a legend with them.

Speaking about his departing from Exodus, Kirk Hammett said that it happened on April Fool’s Day. He also remembered what Exodus members said to him at the time and how Paul Baloff reacted his joining to Metallica.

When he was asked, “Where were you when you get the phone call to join Metallica?”, Kirk said:

“It was April 1st, April Fool’s Day, and I was sitting on the toilet. I got the call from Mark Whittaker (Metallica sound engineer), and after I hung up, I was like, ‘I can’t believe I just got that phone call. Was that an April Fool’s Day prank?’

“A couple of days later I got this tape from them, but I already had the demo and I already knew two-thirds of the songs on there.

“I told the guys in Exodus and they were pissed. They were pissed. I remember Paul Baloff was so pissed that he poured a beer over my head.

“He said, ‘[angry-hurt voice] I can’t believe you’re doing this, Kirk,’ then poured his beer over my head. I just took it, ‘Yeah, yeah, I know…’”

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