Metallica and Rush Unite: Alex Lifeson Jams with Hammett and Trujillo in Epic Toronto Session
In a collaboration that's sending shockwaves through the rock world, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson recently shared details of an unforgettable jam session with Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo. The impromptu gathering in Toronto has fans buzzing about the potential for future collaborations between these legendary musicians.
Lifeson revealed the details in an interview with Pete Pardo of Sea Of Tranquility. According to Lifeson, the Metallica duo was in Toronto when the idea of jamming came up. “The guys from Metallica were in [Toronto] last week. And I got together with Kirk and Rob. We went out for dinner and then we got together and jammed afterwards — actually, right here [at my house]. They came over after dinner and we played for a few hours, and it was great,” he said.
What made this jam session truly special was the departure from predictable blues riffs. Lifeson elaborated, “Often in the past, if you jam with a bunch of people, we'd play a 12-bar bluesy thing; everybody can play that: 'Let's do that.' But when you play with great musicians like those guys are, places you go is, it's just unbelievable.” He added, “It's so remarkable. And God, I loved every second that we did that. The three of us just were oozing with enthusiasm, that whole thing. And that's pretty cool.”
The connection between Rush and Metallica runs deeper than a single jam session. Trujillo, in a previous interview, discussed his deep admiration for Geddy Lee and Rush’s impact on his musical development. “I played in backyard party bands at age 16 and we played [RUSH's] 'La Villa Strangiato', we played 'YYZ', we played all those classic songs,” Trujillo recalled. This reverence was further displayed when Trujillo and Hammett performed a rendition of "La Villa Strangiato" during Metallica’s April 26 concert in Toronto, a heartfelt tribute to Rush in their hometown.
Alex Lifeson, known as “The Musical Scientist” by his Rush bandmates, has left an indelible mark on rock music. His innovative guitar work has earned him numerous accolades, including a top spot in Guitar World's readers' poll of “100 Greatest Guitarists.” Beyond Rush, Lifeson continues to explore new musical avenues with his band Envy of None, who recently released their second album, "Stygian Wavz".
This collaboration between members of Rush and Metallica highlights the shared respect and passion for music that transcends genre boundaries. What do you think of this unlikely pairing? Could this be the beginning of more collaborations between these rock legends?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
