Hulk Hogan contemplated immediate retirement from wrestling due to an unusual 'tryout' for Metallica's band, an unexpected turn in his career path.
Hulk Hogan, the charismatic professional wrestler and cultural icon, made headlines throughout his career for various reasons, including his attempts to venture into the world of rock music. One of the most intriguing stories revolves around his claimed attempt to join Metallica, the heavy metal band fronted by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.
In 2009, Hogan revealed that he tried to join Metallica when the position of bassist opened up following Jason Newsted's departure. He claimed to have sent tapes of himself playing bass and made calls to the band's management, but there is no evidence or confirmation from Metallica or Lars Ulrich that these attempts were ever made.
Hogan also shared another story, claiming that Lars Ulrich asked him to play bass with Metallica in their early days. However, this claim, like the first, has not been confirmed by the band members.
Despite Hogan's musical aspirations and his time spent playing bass in local bands in Tampa Bay, Florida in the 1970s, his attempt to join Metallica remains unverified by the band themselves. In 2017, James Hetfield dismissed the claim when shown a photoshopped image of Metallica with Hogan, and Lars Ulrich appeared on The Howard Stern show to discuss Hogan's claim but had no recollection of working with him.
Hogan's rock star ambitions were resurrected decades later with his persistent claims to join Metallica, a part of his career and legacy that remains mythical. However, it's important to note that Hogan became a controversial figure towards the end of his career due to a leaked sex tape, expulsion from the WWE, and aggressive campaigning for Donald Trump.
Sadly, Hogan passed away yesterday at the age of 71, leaving behind a complex and fascinating legacy in the world of professional wrestling and beyond. His attempt to join Metallica, while unverified, will undoubtedly continue to be a topic of interest for fans of both wrestling and heavy metal music.
[1] The Sun (2012), Hulk Hogan claims Lars Ulrich asked him to play bass with Metallica. [2] NME (2017), James Hetfield dismisses Hulk Hogan's claim of joining Metallica. [3] Rolling Stone (2014), Hulk Hogan claims he tried to join Metallica and The Rolling Stones.
- It is questionable whether Hulk Hogan ever truly had a chance to join Metallica, given the lack of confirmation from the band themselves and the controversial incidents that marked the latter part of Hogan's career.
- As a drummer, Hogan might have found success in a lesser-known band, but his dreams of rock stardom with Metallica remain largely unfulfilled.
- Despite being well-known for his career in professional wrestling, Hogan's attempt to join the heavy metal scene, particularly Metallica, is an intriguing chapter in his life that continues to fascinate fans of rock and metal music.
- In a review of a rock album, some critics might reflect on Hogan's unverified attempts to join Metallica, putting his aspirations into context with the actual talents and success of contemporary musicians.
- It is possible that, in an interview with a music or entertainment magazine, Hogan would share stories of his time spent playing bass and his ambition to join Metallica, giving insights into his passions outside the world of wrestling.
- While Metallica's lineup may never have included a bassist like Hulk Hogan, the myth of his attempted joining the band can be seen as a symbol of the dream shared by countless musicians: to break into the music industry and make a lasting impact.
- As entertainment reporters delve into the legacy of Hulk Hogan, the story of his unverified attempts to join Metallica might be mentioned alongside discussions of his wrestling career, highlighting the multifaceted nature of his ambitions and accomplishments.