Lars Ulrich says he wasn't 'qualified' to drum with Rush at Taylor Hawkins concerts
He was more comfortable with AC/DC
Last updated 6th Dec 2022
Metallica’s Lars Ulrich has conceded he wouldn’t have been ‘qualified’ to perform with Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts in September.
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson were joined by Dave Grohl and Omar Hakim for their performance at London’s Wembley Stadium, with Grohl, Chad Smith and Tool’s Danny Carey filling in for the late-great Neil Peart at The Forum in Los Angeles three weeks later.
Lars Ulrich also performed at both concerts, joining Brian Johnson and Foo Fighters for covers of AC/DC’s ‘Let There Be Rock’ and ‘Back in Black’ in London, and Geezer Butler, Sebastian Bach and the Foos for Black Sabbath’s ‘Supernaut’ and ‘Paranoid’ in LA.
In a recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Ulrich was asked whether he would have joined Rush for the performances of '2112 Part I: Overture', 'Working Man' and 'YYZ' if asked.
"Could I do it? Obviously, playing with Alex and Geddy would be incredible. Some of the guys, Chad Smith played and Dave played a couple of songs (with Lee and Lifeson),” Ulrich said.
“It would be an uphill thing. It would take a lot of rehearsal, a lot of prep. '2112' would probably be too much of a bite of the apple for me. But in terms of just feeling comfortable, and kind of doing the thing that exists sort of where I am, that AC/DC stuff is right in my f---ing pocket. And I love that so much."
Watch the video for Metallica's new single 'Lux Æterna':
Elsewhere during the chat, Ulrich said he jumped at the chance to perform at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts.
He said: "Dave Grohl called me three or four months ago and asked me if I would partake in the Taylor Hawkins tribute shows at Wembley and at the LA Forum, and, obviously, before he was done explaining it, I just said, 'Yes, Dave. I'll be there. Just tell me what you want and I'll show up with bells and whistles on."
Ulrich continued: "Straying outside of the Metallica world is not the most comfortable thing for me. I think a big part of why we just love staying inside the Metallica universe is because there's that safety in numbers, and we just support each other and have that thing.
“But playing with Grohl and the other three Foo Fighters guys, and then at Wembley we did, with Brian Johnson, the AC/DC singer, we did an AC/DC set, and it was so much f---ing fun to play."
Watch Danny Carey's viral drumcam video:
Featuring the Planet Rock playlisted single ‘Lux Æterna’, Metallica unleash their new studio album ’72 Seasons’ on Friday 14th April 2023 via their Blackened Recordings imprint.
Supporting its release, Metallica embark on the M72 world tour across Europe and North America in 2023 and 2024.
The unique tour will see Metallica play two nights in every city with each No Repeat Weekend featuring two completely different setlists and support line-ups.
The trek includes two headline slots at Download Festival in June 2023 where they appear on a bill that also boasts performances from Ghost, Slipknot, Bring Me The Horizon, Disturbed, Within Temptation, The Distillers, GWAR and many more.
You can get tickets from Planet Rock Tickets right now.
60 incredible photos of the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in London:
Dave Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The hardest working man on the night, Dave Grohl.
Liam Gallagher at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Accompanied by Foo Fighters, former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher opened the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert with 'Rock N' Roll Star' and 'Live Forever.'
Pat Smear at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Nile Rodgers at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Music legend Nile Rodgers performed David Bowie's 'Let's Dance' with Omar Hakim, Chris Chaney and Josh Homme. Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes' performed vocals on 'Modern Love.'
Nile Rodgers at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Taylor Hawkins was a huge fan of David Bowie's music. Much of the evening was geared towards Hawkins' favourite artists and songs.
Gaz Coombes at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes performs with Nile Rodgers, Omar Hakim and Chris Chaney.
Chevy Metal at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Chevy Metal opened their performance with a cover of 'Psycho Killer' by The Talking Heads.
Chevy Metal at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Kesha at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Pop singer Kesha joined Chevy Metal for a cover of 'Children of the Revolution' by T.Rex.
Kesha at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Justin Hawkins at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The Darkness' Justin Hawkins joined forces with The Coattail Riders for his first performance of the evening.
Justin Hawkins at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Justin Hawkins sang 'Range Rover Bitch' and 'It's Over' with The Coattail Riders.
Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Alongside Justin Hawkins on vocals, Dave Grohl on bass and Josh Freese on drums, Wolfgang Halen performed covers of Van Halen's 'On Fire' and 'Hot For Teacher.'
Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Wolfgang Van Halen with Dave Grohl.
Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Wolfgang Van Halen with Justin Hawkins
Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Wolfgang Van Halen shreds with Justin Hawkins looking on.
Violet Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Honouring one of Taylor Hawkins' favourite artists, Dave Grohl's teenage daughter Violet covered Jeff Buckley's 'Grace' and 'Last Goodbye.'
Violet Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Another of Taylor Hawkins' favourite bands, Supergrass performed 'Richard III', 'Alright' and 'Caught By The Fuzz'.
Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Them Crooked Vultures at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Them Crooked Vultures – Josh Homme, John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl - reunited after a decade away.
John Paul Jones at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Them Crooked Vultures performed 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Gunman' and 'Long Slow Goodbye'
Them Crooked Vultures at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The Pretenders at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The Pretenders performed 'Precious', 'Tattooed Love Boys' and 'Brass In Pocket' with Dave Grohl.
Joe Walsh at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Joe Walsh and his reunited James Gang band mates performed 'Walk Away', 'The Bomber' and 'Funk #49', the latter featuring Dave Grohl.
Josh Homme and Dave Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Them Crooked Vultures band mates Josh Homme and Dave Grohl backstage.
Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Together with Chris Chaney and Jason Falkner, Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson covered 'Valerie' by The Zutons.
Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Together with Foo Fighters and Metallica's Lars Ulrich, Brian Johnson performed AC/DC's 'Back in Black' and 'Let There Be Rock.' Justin Hawkins also appeared on stage briefly.
Lars Ulrich at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich joined forces with Foo Fighters and Brian Johnson.
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson with Dave Grohl
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson with Justin Hawkins
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson with Chris Shiflett
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson with Dave Grohl
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson with Nate Mendel
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Stewart Copeland at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Joined by Foo Fighters and Supergrass' Gaz Coombes, The Police's Stewart Copeland performed 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' and 'Next To You.'
Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
With Dave Grohl and Omar Hakim filling in for the late-great Neil Peart, Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson arrived on stage to a hero's welcome.
Rush's Alex Lifeson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Rush performed '2112: Overture', 'Working Man' and 'YYZ'
Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Queen's Roger Taylor at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
With Luke Spiller, Roger Taylor, Justin Hawkins and Sam Ryder on vocal duties, Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor performed 'We Will Rock You', 'I'm In Love With My Car', 'Under Pressure' and 'Somebody To Love'
Queen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Dave Grohl performing with Queen's Roger Taylor and Brian May, plus Rufus Taylor on drums.
Sam Ryder and Brian May at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Eurovision runner up Sam Ryder belts out 'Somebody To Love' with Queen.
Brian May at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The Queen set ended with Brian May performing 'Love Of My Life' acoustically.
Queen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The crowd during Queen
The crowd during Queen
Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Dave Grohl breaks down in tears during set opener 'Times Like These'
Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
An emotional Dave Grohl during 'Times Like These'
Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Chris Shiflett and Dave Grohl
Nandi Bushell at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
12-year-old Nandi Bushell played drums on 'Learn to Fly' with Foo Fighters. The band were also joined by Josh Freese, Travis Barker, Rufus Taylor and Omar Hakim throughout the set. Taylor Hawkins' son Shane poignantly performed 'My Hero' in honour of his late dad.
Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Foo Fighters were joined by surprise guest Paul McCartney and Chrissie Hynde for versions of The Beatles' 'Oh Darlin' and 'Helter Skelter'.
Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Paul McCartney with Dave Grohl and Pat Smear
Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Foo Fighters take the final bow after Dave Grohl's performance of 'Everlong'