Kirk Hammett Remembers Kurt Cobain’s ‘Insane’ Metallica Request

In an interview on The Metallica Report podcast, Kirk Hammett said Kurt Cobain sought to catch their attention during a Seattle gig. Hammett said Cobain asked whether they would perform ‘Ride the Lightning’ or ‘Whiplash,’ and they chose ‘Whiplash.’ The guitarist stated, “The whole time we were playing ‘Whiplash,’ Kurt was trying to get my attention.”

Kirk said, “I only found out afterward from some friends in the snakepit saying ‘God, when you guys played ‘Whiplash,’ Kurt went insane and he was trying to get your attention the whole time.’ I said ‘Really?’ That’s his favorite Metallica song, but wow.

He was fantastic. The guitarist said of the late Nirvana leader, “He was so mellow and fragile and vulnerable.” The guy had wonderful wit, however. He was amusing.” He was terrific,” Kirk said in 2020 of his friendship with Cobain. I became acquainted with him when the first Nirvana record [1989’s ‘Bleach’] came out before people called it grunge, and it’s tragic that all he wanted to do was play guitar, make songs, and sing was ruined for him.”

Metallica didn’t impact Nirvana’s music, but their success helped them gain popularity and influence. Both bands disregarded mainstream music trends and stuck to their own styles. Hammett previously said, “Rock radio embracing our sound – our heaviness – helped the whole grunge thing take hold. Nirvana released ‘Nevermind’ shortly after ‘The Black Album.’ I like to believe we helped make Nirvana accepted.” Hammett invited Kurt to join Metallica’s 1992 Guns N’ Roses tour, but Cobain rejected, stating he didn’t like them. Instead, Faith No More supported the tour.