Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett received a belated 63rd birthday celebration onstage during the close of the band’s set in Auckland, NZ last night, November 19th. The influential thrash metal guitarist, whose birthday took place a day prior, was rushed by the stage crew and his bandmates, where he was doused with silly string. While that transpired, his Metallica bandmate, vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield, serenaded him with a rendition of Happy Birthday.
Addressing the audience afterward, Hammett told the crowd, “they said they weren’t gonna do this. They said they weren’t gonna do this and they did it. Goddamnit, my friends, I love ’em. Thank you everyone.” Despite the assurances he may have received, Hammett no doubt had his guard up, as his past onstage birthdays have suffered a similar fate.
