Peter Green to launch new project in 2020 featuring Metallica's Kirk Hammett

Earlier this week, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett shared two intriguing photos on social media of himself with Fleetwood Mac legend Peter Green.

Author: Scott ColothanPublished 10th Jan 2020

The first photo - taken by world famous photographer Ross Halfin - depicts the two guitar icons sitting on a sofa, with Peter Green clutching a signed vinyl copy of Metallica’s seminal 1986 heavy metal opus ‘Master of Puppets’. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7BmNaHntDb/

The second Ross Halfin photo is of them smiling while clutching Peter’s fabled 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar, known as Greeny, which Peter sold to the late-great Gary Moore and Kirk now owns. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7BqLU2nUTe/

Rufus Publications have now issued a statement to Planet Rock revealing what the joining-of-forces between Peter and Kirk was all about. 

They confirmed that Peter has been working on a special book and music project with Rufus Publications that is being released later in 2020. 

Contributing to the project, Kirk Hammett jetted into the UK this week to record a piece of music at London’s world-famous Abbey Road Studios. 

According to Rufus Publications, Kirk is one of a number of guest musicians playing “on some unique recordings” for Peter’s project, which is now nearing completion. 

The full statement reads: 

"Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, now 73, is a reclusive music legend, now living in retirement in the south of England. He spends most of his days playing guitar or drawing at home, creating a body of artwork over the last few years.

"Recently, he has been working with Rufus Publications on a special book and music project, scheduled for release later this year. As a result of the project, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, who owns Peter’s classic 1959 Gibson Les Paul, has been contributing, first by going into Abbey Road and recording something very special with said guitar - known as “Greeny” - and then by visiting Peter at his home and reuniting him with the guitar for the first time since Peter sold it to Gary Moore, 47 years ago. It was an astonishing meeting of two great, but very different, musicians who spent much of the afternoon discussing the guitar and the music that inspires them. Kirk played Peter the guitar track recorded at Abbey Road and the day ended with Kirk telling Peter he would be sending him a full set of Metallica recordings to listen to.

"The project Peter is working on with Rufus Publications and is nearing completion and will be released later this year and will include several guest musicians playing on some unique recordings."

Back in November it was announced that Mick Fleetwood had masterminded a one-off concert celebrating the music of Peter Green and the early years of Fleetwood Mac.

Taking place at London Palladium on Tuesday 25th February 2020, alongside Mick Fleetwood, amongst those performing on the night are Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, John Mayall, Jonny Lang, Zak Starkey and Bill Wyman.

Unsurprisingly, the completely show sold out within minutes of it going on sale.