DragonForce guitarist Herman Li has responded to Kirk Hammett’s latest comments on solos.
Earlier, the Metallica guitarist stated in an interview that people, especially non-musicians, would forget solos over time. In a new interview with Blabbermouth, Li was asked whether or not he had heard those comments, to which he responded with an opposite comment and also gave:
“Yeah. But I remember him, and I remember Kirk’s solos really well. A lot of people give him shit, but Kirk has had some of the most memorable guitar solos that I will still remember. I remember going to a Bon Jovi concert — that was the biggest thing. That was probably the biggest guitar solo chant I’ve seen. It was in a stadium; people were chanting along to the ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ solo. People know the solos if you do them right or you’re able to connect with the audience.”
What Hammett Thinks About Solos
According to Hammett, the majority of the general music audience, especially those who don’t play the guitar, may not share the enthusiasm of those who play guitar. During the interview, the guitarist suggested that the average non-guitar-playing listener isn’t particularly interested in guitar solos and is likely to forget them when the song ends. Still, even though he believes it is more likely that guitar players will remember the solo, he is sure that non-musicians will remember a great song and a great melody. He said during his interview with Guitar World:
“I hate to say it for all your readers out there, but non-musicians, who are the majority of the f*cking listening world, they are not going to remember guitar solos.”
What Other Guitarists Think Of Solos?
Right after Kirk shared his statement about guitar solos, guitar virtuoso Angel Vivaldi stepped up to defend solos. He proposed that Hammett, being one of the most influential guitarists in the entire genre, particularly of whose solos have inspired Vivaldi himself, to take up the guitar, should channel more effort into piquing fans’ interest in this musical tradition. While approaching respectfully, the guitarist stated about Hammett’s comment:
“If not for Kirk, I wouldn’t be here, so utmost respect to him. However, the second someone succumbs to this type of thinking, ala’ ‘there’s no good or memorable music these days,’ you’re just screaming, ‘I’m close-minded and don’t seek new music in order to actually judge it’ to the world. You can’t say that unless you’ve heard every new song uploaded to Spotify daily, and few at that age actually seek out the new music they’re writing off.”
As opposed to his thoughts on solos, the Metallica guitarist keeps on including solos in Metallica’s tracks, and he did so in the newest album, ’72 Seasons,’ too.
