Metallica’s Kirk Hammett Takes on 100-Year-Old Track for Unique Compilation
Metallica have covered their fair share of songs over the years, but guitarist Kirk Hammett is taking on a track that most fans would never expect. The rocker is set to cover 'Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)' for a new compilation.
Never heard the song? That's not a big surprise as the track is over 100-years-old. The compilation its included on is titled 'The Gay Nineties Old Tyme Music: Daisy Bell' in which a number of modern acts perform the classic cut.
Joining Hammett on the compilation are such acts as Katy Perry, Nick Cave, Tyler the Creator and Weird Al Yankovic. The concept album is tied to a new art exhibit staged by pop art painter Mark Ryden, which opened May 3 at the Kohn Gallery in Los Angeles. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh, Wall of Voodoo's Stan Ridgeway and Oingo Boingo's Danny Elfman also contributed to the collection.
'Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)' was originally written in 1892 and was a big hit at the time of its release. It regained some attention in 1968 when the song was used in the film '2001: A Space Odyssey.'
The new album will be pressed on 180-gram red vinyl and will be limited to a run of 999 copies. Ryden will personally hand-number and sign each of the copies, which will sell for $99. But don't worry if you can't make it to Los Angeles, as half of the copies have been held back to be sold on Ryden's website beginning May 13. Proceeds from sales of the record will benefit the Little Kids Rock organization.