Matt Saincome at Noisey recently spoke with wrestling icon Hulk Hogan about his early year experiences as a musician. An excerpt from the in-depth interview is available below:

Q: A little while ago there were a variety of stories in the media about your interest in joining Metallica and The Rolling Stones. Can you tell me about that?

Hogan: "I had wrestled so long, and it got to the point where, with no Stone Cold, Rock, or HHH around, I was the only guy for a long time, so I had to be everywhere. We’d wrestle at one o’clock in the Philadelphia Spectrum, and then that night I’d be in Madison Square Garden. The next day at one o’clock I’d be in the Boston Gardens, then catch a plane and fly in to wrestle at the Los Angeles Forum that night. I didn’t really get tired but I was like, 'Man, I’m killing myself.'

I always still loved music. I was in the UK for some award show, and Jerry Hall, Mick Jagger’s old lady, was walking out with me to present this award. I heard her talking on the phone to Mick about 'Oh, you got to find a bass player and you’ve only got two different choices.' I went '. . . what!?' She had already told me that her kids are big fans, and she wanted merchandise, so I was like, 'All right, let’s reel her in.' I was like 'Look, I used to play bass. I know all the Rolling Stones songs. Tell Mick if you guys need a bass player for the Rolling Stones, I swear to god I could show up. I could rehearse one day and play everything they play. Please tell Mick, please tell Mick.' I got home, sent her all the merchandise—never heard a word back, right?

So then I heard that Metallica needed a bass player, and brother, I was writing letters, made a tape of myself playing and sent it to their management company. Kept making calls trying to get through. I tried for two weeks and never heard a word back from them either.

I would have quit wrestling to play in The Rolling Stones or Metallica like that (snaps fingers). I was hoping for a call from them but never got one. All the haters were like 'You never auditioned for Metallica!' Of course I didn’t—but I tried!"

Go to this location for the complete interview.