Kirk Hammett, the celebrated lead guitarist of the multi-platinum selling, nine-time Grammy-winning metal titan Metallica, has embarked on a unique live tour celebrating his passion for guitars and the launch of his new book, “The Collection: Kirk Hammett.” The “Kirk Hammett The Collection: Live” tour commenced on April 25th in Toronto, Canada, offering fans an intimate discussion diving deep into Hammett‘s illustrious four-decade career in music.
Published worldwide by Gibson Publishing, “The Collection: Kirk Hammett” is a lavish, 400-page hardcover coffee table book. It provides an unprecedented look into the remarkable guitar collection amassed by one of heavy metal’s pioneering figures. Within its pages, Hammett shares personal stories behind the rare and iconic instruments he’s used to craft legendary riffs and perform for millions across the globe. The book features stunning photography by renowned rock photographer Ross Halfin, captured on location in Hawaii and Los Angeles, alongside rare images from Halfin‘s archives. It also includes exclusive new interviews with Hammett conducted by Gibson‘s Chris Vinnicombe and Mark Agnesi.
This detailed volume chronicles instruments from Hammett‘s earliest days with thrash pioneers Exodus through his 40-plus years shaping the sound of Metallica, a band with over 125 million albums sold worldwide. Guitars explored include his famous 1979 Gibson Flying V and the legendary “Greeny,” the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard once owned by Peter Green and Gary Moore. Available globally through Gibson website and Gibson Garage stores, the book comes in Standard hardcover format, plus limited, signed and numbered Custom and Deluxe Editions.
The accompanying “Kirk Hammett The Collection: Live” tour features conversations between Hammett and Gibson’s Mark Agnesi. Following the kickoff in Toronto (for which fan-filmed footage is available online), the tour is scheduled to continue with stops in Nashville (May 2), Columbus (May 10), Philadelphia (May 24), Tampa (June 7), and Denver (June 28).
Highlighting the guitarist’s deep connection to his instruments, a video teaser for the book features narration from actor and Metallica fan Jason Momoa, who states:
“Every guitar has a story, and the thrill of finding the right one can be as electrifying as any song it will play. Collecting is an obsession, a passion, and a neverending quest for discovering the perfect tone. No one knows this more than Kirk Hammett.”
Before joining Metallica in 1983 to replace Dave Mustaine and subsequently record their debut Kill ‘Em All, Hammett was an original member of Exodus, even coining the band’s name and recruiting original vocalist Paul Baloff.
“The Collection: Kirk Hammett” stands as an essential item for Metallica enthusiasts, guitar aficionados, and anyone fascinated by the instruments behind rock history.
