Metallica's Kirk Hammett On Loss Of Exodus Singer Paul Baloff

NEW YORK (Top40 Charts) - Exodus singer Paul Baloff died Saturday (February 2) at Highland General Hospital in Oakland, California after suffering a stroke that Thursday (January 31).
Former bandmate and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett called the hospital and spoke to Exodus guitarist Rick Hunolt, who told him the bad news about the singer of his first big band, Exodus.

"Paul just went for a bike ride, came back, his girlfriend went down to lock up the bikes, and by the time she came back up he was already in the throes of a seizure. So they called 911, they brought him to the hospital and he was already deep in it and by the time I spoke to Rick he said there was no brain activity," Hammett recalled. "So I pretty much knew that when that happens there's no turning back, there's only one way to go."

Hammett added, "And, you know, it's a big loss, at least in my life it is, because Paul set me on my way to a certain extent. He was the one missing link in my first metal band and when I had found him, I thought to myself, 'All we can go is up from here.' He was just an amazingly funny guy, very intelligent, very loyal, he would do anything for his friends. It's just a shame and I'll miss him, but at least we have the first Exodus album, thank God for that!"

Hammett added, "One of my favorite Paul Baloff lines was, when he was introducing an Exodus song on their last live album; the line went 'This song is older than sh-t, heavier than time.' I thought that was such a great line. That's the way I like to think of him�heavier than time. See ya Paul."

Hammett was plucked from Exodus back in 1983 to join Metallica, replacing Dave Mustaine, who was kicked out of the band for what Metallica said was a "drinking problem." Mustaine went on to form Megadeth, Exodus continued on, and Metallica went on to be one of the biggest bands in the world.