Hulk Hogan says he almost joined Metallica

Hulk Hogan and Metallica? Hogan says that's no 'load'
Hulk Hogan and Metallica? Hogan says that's no 'load' (Image credit: Mark Savage/Corbis)

Music is full of bizarre combinations, but this one very well could take the cake: Former WWWF champion Hulk Hogan says that he almost joined Metallica.

The wrestler, who used to star in his own MTV reality series, Hogan Knows Best, told The Sun that he and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich were close pals back in the days when The Hulkster was a working session musician. (And no, we didn't know Hogan was a a session player, either - the surprises keep on comin'!)

"I used to be a session musician before I was a wrestler," Hogan said. "I played bass. I was big pals with Lars Ulrich, and he asked me if I wanted to play bass with Metallica in their early days, but it didn't work out."

Can you say "good thing"?

Over the years, Hogan hasn't lost his love of music. One of his big faves is The Stone Roses - he used to play the reunited band's CDs during his bulking-up routines. "I love the Stone Roses," he said. "They're getting back together, right? That's cool, man. I used to work out to some of their songs."

As for The Hulkster's four-string skills, we present the above video in which Hogan joins the band Diamondback for a version of Johnny B. Goode. Soooo, what do you think?

Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.