Kirk Hammett is best known as the lead guitarist of Metallica, having appeared
on every release by the heavy metal band since 1983's Kill 'Em All. He was born
in San Francisco, California, on November 18, 1962, and formed the thrash metal
band Exodus in 1979. Only 16 years old at the time, Hammett helped steer the
band during its infancy and played guitar on Exodus' three-song demo in 1982.
One year later, he left the group to join Metallica instead. Hammett's guitar
riffs quickly became a key part of Metallica's sound, and he co-wrote many of
the band's signature songs, includin...