Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett Kirk Hammett at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival held in Toronto, November 3, 2013 Background information Birth name Kirk Lee Hammett Born (1962-11-18) November 18, 1962 (age 52) San Francisco, California, United States Genres Heavy metal, thrash metal, hard rock, speed metal Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter, author Instruments Guitar Years active 1979–present Labels Warner Bros., Elektra, Vertigo, Megaforce Associated acts Metallica, Exodus, Spastik Children Website metallica.com Notable instruments ESP KH-2 and KH-3 Signature models Gibson Les Paul Jr. Gibson Flying V Jackson King V Gibson Les Paul Kirk Lee Hammett (born November 18, 1962) is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th on Rolling Stone's list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. In 2009, Hammett was ranked number 5 in Joel McIver's book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists.