Ongoing History Daily: Losing a Porsche the Metallica way

When Metallica finished up their “black” album, no one was really sure if the record was going to be a success. After all, it was radically different from the thrashy material that had become their bread and butter. Guitarist Kirk Hammett was bearish about the prospects of the album doing well.

Then Tony Smith, the band’s tour manager, told Kirk that the record would end up selling at least ten million copies. Kirk replied, “If that happens, I will give you my Porsche.” You know what happened next.

True to his word, the moment Metallica received word that the black album had crossed the 10 million copy threshold, Kirk turned over the keys of a 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 to Tony. No real loss, though, given that the album brought in so much money that he could buy all the Porsches he wanted.

Friday’s post was about Rivers Cuomo’s once-wonky leg.