Metallica release statement regarding beach ball incident

For the past week a viral video has been going around that shows Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett hitting a young girl in the face with a beach ball causing her to fall over into the crowd. Apparently the video has been getting so much attention that the already-vilified metal act has released a statement explaining what really happened. (Spelling and grammar errors can be attributed to the band, not us… and it’s also worth noting that the video has mysteriously disappeared from YouTube.)
“In the whacky world of rock’n'roll, sometimes stuff happens which looks even weirder than it really is! And with context being vital in these situations, we just wanted to address something which happened on the tour the other night regarding a large beachball, a band member’s foot and a little girl.” The statement goes on to explain, “Some of you will have seen on YouTube (or read in some reports) that Kirk knocked a small child offstage by kicking a beachball at her. That little lady… was thoroughly enjoying watching the beachballs drop from the rafters, Kirk was thoroughly enjoying kicking the beachballs off the stage and back into the crowd as has been done every night on the tour, and neither of them saw the other.”

The good news is that it turns out the girl is the daughter of the band’s stage manger and she’s okay. “The poor wee one happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She wasn’t hurt. She didn’t go ‘flying several feet into the audience.’ And Kirk and she remain good buddies. It’s very cool that everyone showed concern and support though, so we just wanted to say it’s all good and thanks for asking.” Phew. We’re sure the two of them will be horseback riding together again in no time!
By Jonah Bayer • 3 days ago