Kirk Hammett, the legendary guitarist of Metallica, recently shared his profound admiration for the explosive alternative music movement that emerged during the late ’80s and early ’90s. He fondly recounted the encouraging words he exchanged with Kurt Cobain, the iconic frontman of Nirvana, after he first heard the groundbreaking album Nevermind. Hammett expressed his genuine enthusiasm for grunge music, stating, “I had no problem with grunge. I freaking loved it, to be honest.” He elaborated that he viewed it as a remarkable cultural shift, highlighting that he still listens to influential bands from that era today, including Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Mudhoney, all of whom played pivotal roles in shaping the sound of that transformative period.

During a recent episode of the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, Hammett engaged in a thoughtful discussion with Brian Hiatt from Rolling Stone about Cobain’s well-known admiration for Metallica’s music. Hammett recalled, “Kurt told me that he freaking loved Ride the Lightning, too,” and remarked on a specific riff from Bleach that reminded him of Ride the Lightning. He reflected on Cobain’s character, noting, “Kurt was a great, great guy. You can tell that he was shy. You can tell that he’s more the observer than a participator, you know?” This insight into Cobain’s personality adds depth to their shared musical journey.

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Hammett’s Encouraging Words to Cobain After Experiencing ‘Nevermind’

Hammett reminisced about the memorable night he witnessed Nirvana perform live at the Hollywood Palladium, a pivotal moment that occurred right after he received an advance copy of Nevermind. He vividly recalled approaching Cobain backstage and confidently proclaiming, “Kurt, Nevermind is gonna be huge.” However, Cobain’s modesty shone through as he responded with disbelief, saying, “No, it’s not.” Hammett, undeterred, reiterated his belief, stating emphatically, “Yes, it is.” This interaction exemplifies the difference in their perspectives on success and the impact of their music.

Continuing his story, Hammett revealed that he also shared his excitement with Krist Novoselic, Nirvana’s bassist, telling him, “Bro, this album’s gonna be huge.” Novoselic’s response, “You think so?” prompted Hammett to affirm, “I know so.” This exchange highlights Hammett’s keen instincts regarding the music industry and his ability to recognize talent and potential when he sees it.

Indeed, Hammett’s initial prediction about the album’s success proved to be remarkably accurate. He observed a noticeable transformation in Nirvana, especially in Cobain, as their popularity skyrocketed. Reflecting on this change, Hammett noted, “Nirvana, at the time, pre-fame, they were a great band and with very pure intentions.” He emphasized their raw energy and dedication during performances, stating that they played with genuine passion and authenticity.

However, he also acknowledged the challenges that fame brought to Cobain, explaining, “Once fame set in, Kurt kind of had a little bit of an attitude that kind of worked into the live performance.” This transformation was complex; while some fans appreciated the change, Hammett perceived a shift in Cobain’s demeanor. “It was evident,” he said, “because they used to go out there and just play, and you can tell he was just so into it, and really just loving the support. Because I think he felt like he deserved it and worked for it.” Yet, as fame escalated, Hammett noted that Cobain struggled with the celebrity lifestyle, which conflicted with his genuine nature.