Cliff Burton

Burton was born in Castro Valley, California, to Raymond "Ray" (1925–2020) and Janette "Jan" Burton (1925–1993). He had two elder siblings, Scott (1958–1975) and Connie. Burton's interest in music began when his father introduced him to classical music and began taking piano lessons.

In his teenage years, Burton developed an interest in rock, classical, country and eventually heavy metal. He began playing the bass at age 13, after the death of his brother, who died from a brain aneurysm.{{Cite web |last=Sevinc |first=Bihter |date=February 17, 2022 |title=The Oath Cliff Burton Dedicated His Life To After Losing His Brother |url=https://rockcelebrities.net/the-oath-cliff-burton-dedicated-his-life-to-after-losing-his-brother/ |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=Rock Celebrities |language=en-US}} His parents quoted him as saying, "I'm going to be the best bassist for my brother."{{cite web |author=O., Harald |url=http://www.allmetallica.com/info/interviews/cliffparents.php |title=Interview link |publisher=Allmetallica.com |access-date=December 9, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023054236/http://www.allmetallica.com/info/interviews/cliffparents.php |archive-date=October 23, 2007 }} He practiced up to six hours per day (even after he joined Metallica). Along with classical and jazz, Burton's other early influences varied from Southern rock and country to the blues.{{cite web |url=http://www.bassplayer.com/story.aspx?id=164 |title=The King of Metal Bass |access-date=April 26, 2007 |author=Ellefson, David |date=February 2005 |publisher=Bass Player Magazine }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Burton cited Geddy Lee, Geezer Butler, Stanley Clarke, Lemmy Kilmister, and Phil Lynott as major influences on his style of bass playing.{{cite web|title=A rare interview with Metallica's legendary bassist|publisher=Artistwd.com|url=http://www.artistwd.com/joyzine/music/burton/burton.php#.Uvy9Z4VWivk|access-date=February 13, 2014|archive-date=December 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229143354/http://www.artistwd.com/joyzine/music/burton/burton.php#.Uvy9Z4VWivk|url-status=live}}

While still a student at Castro Valley High School, Burton formed his first band called EZ-Street. The band took its name from a Bay Area topless bar. Other members of EZ-Street included future Faith No More members Jim Martin and Mike Bordin. Burton and Martin continued their musical collaboration after becoming students at Chabot College in Hayward, California. Their second band, Agents of Misfortune, entered the Hayward Area Recreation Department's Battle of the Bands contest in 1981. Their audition was recorded on video and features some of the earliest footage of Burton's playing style. The video also shows Burton playing parts of what would soon be two Metallica songs: his signature bass solo, "(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth", and the chromatic intro to "For Whom the Bell Tolls". Burton joined his first professional band, Trauma, in 1982. He recorded the track "Such a Shame" with the band on the second Metal Massacre compilation.

In 1982, Trauma traveled to Los Angeles to perform at the Whisky a Go Go. Among those in attendance were James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, both members of Metallica, which had formed the previous year. Upon hearing, as Hetfield described it, "this amazing shredding" (parts of which later became "(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth"), the two decided to recruit Burton for their own band. They asked him to replace departed bassist Ron McGovney, and since Burton thought that Trauma was "starting to get a little commercial",{{cite web |url=http://www.metallicaworld.co.uk/Interviews/1986_cliff.htm |title=Cliff Burton R.I.P. Interview |publisher=Metallicaworld.com |access-date=April 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829040333/http://www.metallicaworld.co.uk/Interviews/1986_cliff.htm |archive-date=August 29, 2016 |url-status=dead }} he agreed. The idea of having to move to Los Angeles did not sit well with Burton, who said he would join only if the band relocated from Los Angeles to his native San Francisco Bay Area. Metallica, eager to have Burton in the band, left to make a home in El Cerrito,{{cite web|url=http://www.artistwd.com/joyzine/music/metallica/history.php|title=JoyZine — Interview with Metallica by Ron Quintana|access-date=October 9, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707165906/http://www.artistwd.com/joyzine/music/metallica/history.php|archive-date=July 7, 2011}} a town located across the bay from San Francisco.

File:Metallica 1983 press photo.jpg

Burton's first recording with Metallica was the Megaforce demo. A demo tape the band had made prior to Burton's joining, No Life 'til Leather, managed to come into the hands of Jon Zazula, owner of Megaforce Records.{{cite web|url= http://www.metallica.com/Band/history.asp?part=1|title= Metallica History Part 1|access-date= April 26, 2007|publisher= Metallica|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070418042156/http://www.metallica.com/Band/history.asp?part=1|archive-date= April 18, 2007|df= mdy-all}} The band relocated to Old Bridge, New Jersey, and quickly secured a recording contract with Zazula's label. Their debut album, Kill 'Em All, features Burton's showcase, "(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth", which displayed his use of effect pedals, such as a wah-wah pedal and Electro Harmonix Big Muff, which are ‍not commonly used by ‍bassists.

Metallica's debut album, Kill 'Em All, was originally intended to inherit the name of one of their earlier demo releases (predating Burton's participation), which was Metal Up Your Ass, but the record company did not like the title and insisted on changing it. Burton said "We should just kill 'em all, man," which gave the band members an idea for the new title.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} The album was released on July 25, 1983, through Megaforce Records.

The band's second studio album, Ride the Lightning, showcased the band's rapidly evolving musical growth.{{cite web| url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r12989|pure_url=yes}} |title=Ride the Lightning |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 26, 2007}} Burton's songwriting abilities were growing, and he received credit on six of the album's eight songs.[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r12989|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic Guide, Ride the Lightning review]. Retrieved April 26, 2007. Burton's playing style and use of effects is notably showcased on two tracks: the chromatic intro to "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (often mistaken as a guitar intro), and the "lead bass" on "The Call of Ktulu".

The band's improving musicianship on Ride the Lightning caught the attention of major record labels. Metallica was signed to Elektra Records, and began working on their third album, Master of Puppets, which is considered by most critics to be a landmark album in heavy metal.{{cite book |title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, p.548 |author=Dimery, Robert }} Among the tracks featured in the album are the instrumental "Orion" (which features a prominent lead bass section) and the title track, which was Burton's favorite Metallica song.[http://www.metallicaworld.co.uk/Interviews/1986_cliff.htm Cliff Burton R.I.P. Interview] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829040333/http://www.metallicaworld.co.uk/Interviews/1986_cliff.htm |date=August 29, 2016 }}. Retrieved April 26, 2007. Master of Puppets was the band's commercial breakthrough release,[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4906|pure_url=yes}} Metallica > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums.]. Retrieved April 26, 2007. and Burton's final album with Metallica.

Burton's final performance was in Stockholm, Sweden, at the Solnahallen Arena on September 26, 1986, one day before his death.[http://www.capital.net/~burton/cliffbio.html metal-george's Cliff Burton Page] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204209/http://www.capital.net/~burton/cliffbio.html |date=March 3, 2016 }}. Retrieved April 26, 2007. The final song he performed was "Fight Fire With Fire" according to setlist.fm and the cassette included in the deluxe box of Master of Puppets{{Cite web |title=Master of Puppets (Remastered Deluxe Box Set) {{!}} Metallica.com |url=https://www.metallica.com/releases/reissues/release-5231.html |access-date=March 5, 2022 |website=www.metallica.com |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207140526/https://www.metallica.com/releases/reissues/release-5231.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|title=Metallica Setlist at Solnahallen, Stockholm|url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/metallica/1986/solnahallen-stockholm-sweden-53d6d759.html|access-date=September 27, 2020|website=setlist.fm|language=en|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808010513/https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/metallica/1986/solnahallen-stockholm-sweden-53d6d759.html|url-status=live}} or "Blitzkrieg" according to the band's homepage.{{Cite web |url=https://www.metallica.com/events/event-9420.html |title=1986-09-26 Stockholm, Sweden {{!}} Metallica.com |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018203349/https://www.metallica.com/events/event-9420.html |url-status=live }}

File:Rickenbacker Bass 4001JG.jpg

When he joined Metallica in 1982, Burton's main bass was a red Rickenbacker 4001. Burton made several modifications to it, in particular removing the stock high-gain pickups, which did not suit his heavy use of effects pedals and aggressive finger-style playing.{{cite web |last1=Brewster |first1=Will |title=Gear Rundown: Cliff Burton of Metallica |url=https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/rig-rundown-cliff-burton-of-metallica/ |website=mixdownmag.com |publisher=Mixdown Magazine |access-date=20 April 2025}} The neck pickup was swapped with a Gibson "Mudbucker" and the bridge with a Seymour Duncan "Classic Stack Jazz Bass" pickup.[https://guitarspace.org/electric-guitars/cliff-burton-rickenbacker-history/ "The Cliff Burton modded Rickenbacker"] at Guitarspace.org Burton used this 4001 on Kill 'Em All and several tracks on Ride The Lightning before technical problems forced him to retire it. Burton then briefly played an Alembic Spoiler II before it was stolen from his car. In 1985, Burton began endorsing Japanese manufacturer Aria. He initially played an SB1000 model before receiving his signature "SB Black n' Gold" bass, which he used on Master Of Puppets.

In 2013, Aria released a replica of Burton's bass, called the Aria Pro II Cliff Burton Signature Bass. The company had received permission from Burton's family and Metallica ‍to produce the instrument. The bass ‍was officially unveiled at the Winter ‍NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. On January 25, 2013, Burton's father Ray ‍attended the press conference where he signed autographs and talked about Burton's life and the instrument.{{cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad |date=January 21, 2013 |title=Cliff Burton Aria Pro II Signature Bass to Debut at 2013 NAMM Convention |url=http://loudwire.com/cliff-burton-aria-pro-ii-signature-bass-debut-2013-namm-convention/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225073147/http://loudwire.com/cliff-burton-aria-pro-ii-signature-bass-debut-2013-namm-convention/ |archive-date=December 25, 2013 |access-date=December 24, 2013 |work=Loudwire}} Current Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo was also present and was the first to try out the bass, playing parts of "(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth". Ray Burton said, "What a beautiful instrument and a wonderful tribute to Cliff."{{cite web |date=January 16, 2013 |title=Cliff Burton Signature Bass |url=http://www.metallica.com/news/20130116-463284.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630035909/http://www.metallica.com/news/20130116-463284.asp |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |access-date=December 24, 2013 |publisher=Metallica.com}}

Burton initially combined a Sunn Beta Bass Amp with a Peavey Mark IV Series 400 head in early gigs, before switching to a pair of Mesa/Boogie D-180 heads for the heavy tone he became known for. One D-180 was used for his clean signal, the other for his effects chain. Burton favored Mesa cabinets, as well, combining a 4x12 and 1x15.

Burton used many effects pedals in his career. He made "distinctive" use of the Morely Power Wah Boost, using it to filter through frequencies for his bass solos. Burton included the Power Wah Boost on his pedalboard for almost every Metallica concert, while the effect can be heard on tracks like "For Whom The Bell Tolls". Other effects used include the Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer, Electro-Harmonix Russian Big Muff, and Ibanez HD1500 Harmonics/Delay rack unit.

File:Memorial stone 4.jpg

In Sweden, on the Damage Inc. tour in support of Master of Puppets, the band members complained that the bunks on their tour bus were unsatisfactory and uncomfortable. The story of how Burton won the bunk differs between the two band members; as Kirk Hammett stated on VH1's Behind the Music, he and Burton drew cards, and Burton picked the ace of spades, thereby getting the first choice of bunk. Burton told Hammett "I want your bunk". Hammett replied "Fine, take my bunk, I'll sleep up front, it's probably better anyway".{{Citation |title=Metallica - VH1's 'Behind the Music' - Remastered (2009) [Full TV Special] | date=May 17, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omofTr8uDUo |language=en |access-date=September 25, 2022}} However, Ulrich's version of the event was that Hammett and Burton drew straws, while Burton drew the long straw, winning the choice of bunk.{{Citation |title=Lars Ulrich Remembers the Accident That Killed Metallica's Original Bassist Cliff Burton (1996) | date=August 8, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NmZy5-GuXY |language=en |access-date=August 9, 2022}} Burton was sleeping when, according to the driver, shortly before 7 a.m. on September 27, the bus skidded off the road (the E4, {{convert|12|mi|km|disp=sqbr}} north of Ljungby, just north of Dörarp){{cite book| last = McIver| first = Joel| author-link = Joel McIver| title = Justice for All: The Truth about Metallica| publisher = Omnibus Press| year = 2004| pages = 159–165| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=6LwTMoqykcYC&q=cliff+burton+death&pg=PA159| isbn = 978-0-7119-9600-7| access-date = November 9, 2020| archive-date = October 30, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211030145842/https://books.google.com/books?id=6LwTMoqykcYC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA159&q=cliff+burton+death&hl=en&source=newbks_fb| url-status = live}} and flipped onto the grass in Kronoberg County.{{cite web|url= http://www.metallica.com/Band/history.asp?part=2|title= Metallica History Part 2|access-date= December 23, 2006|publisher= Metallica|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110803191222/http://www.metallica.com/404.asp|archive-date= August 3, 2011|df= mdy-all}} With no safety restraints on the bunks, Burton was thrown violently through one of the windows of the bus, which fell on top of him right afterwards, killing him instantly. He was 24 years old.

The bus driver said that the crash was caused by the bus hitting a patch of black ice on the road, but Hetfield later stated that he first believed the bus flipped because the driver was drunk. Hetfield also stated that he walked long distances down the road looking for black ice and found none. When local freelance photographer Lennart Wennberg (who attended the crash-scene the following morning) was asked in a later interview about the likelihood that black ice caused the accident, he said it was "out of the question" because the road was dry and the temperature around {{convert|2|C|F|order=flip}}, above the freezing point of {{convert|0|C|F|order=flip}}. This was confirmed by police who, like Hetfield, also found no ice on the road. Ljungby detective Arne Pettersson was reported in a local newspaper to have said the tracks at the accident site were exactly like ones seen when drivers fall asleep at the wheel. However, the driver stated under oath that he had slept during the day and was fully rested; his testimony was confirmed by the driver of a second tour bus that was carrying the band's crew and equipment. The driver was determined not at fault for the accident and no charges were brought against him.{{cite video |date=November 22, 1998 |title=Behind the Music: Metallica |medium=Television production }}

Burton's body was cremated and the ashes were scattered at the Maxwell Ranch.{{cite web |title=Cliff in Our Minds Biography |url=http://www.cliffinourminds.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20100305004038/http://www.cliffinourminds.com/ |archive-date=March 5, 2010 |access-date=December 9, 2007 |publisher=Cliff in Our Minds}} At the ceremony, the song "Orion" was played. Shortly after Burton's death, Jason Newsted from Flotsam and Jetsam became Metallica's new bassist.

File:Memorial stone 2.jpg

Many metal bassists have expressed admiration, or have cited Burton as an influence to their playing. These include, Adam Duce, Alex Webster, Chi Cheng,{{Cite web |title=Tasteful 'Tones. By Joel McIver : Articles, reviews and interviews from Rock's Backpages |url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/tasteful-tones |access-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629184904/https://rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/tasteful-tones |url-status=dead }} Dick Lövgren,{{Cite web |last=Casadei |first=Stefano |date=March 2, 2016 |title=Exclusive FBPO interview with Dick Lövgren |url=https://forbassplayersonly.com/dick-lovgren/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=For Bass Players Only |language=en-US}} Johnny Christ,{{Cite web |last=West |first=Kelly |date=November 3, 2011 |title=Avenged Sevenfold Bassist Johnny Christ Tells Us His Influences [INTERVIEW] |url=https://katsfm.com/avenged-sevenfold-bassist-johnny-christ-interview-on-94-5-kats-audio/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=94.5 KATS |language=en}} Justin Chancellor,{{Cite web |title=Tool's Chancellor Explains How He Gets So Much Clarity in Bass Tone, Names Strings He Uses |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/tools_chancellor_explains_how_he_gets_so_much_clarity_in_bass_tone_names_strings_he_uses.html |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=www.ultimate-guitar.com |language=en}} Liam Wilson,{{Cite web |last=Casadei |first=Stefano |date=April 13, 2020 |title=Liam Wilson talks Dillinger Escape Plan, Azusa bands |url=https://forbassplayersonly.com/liam-wilson/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=For Bass Players Only |language=en-US}} Mike D'Antonio,{{Cite web |title=Killswitch Engage - Mike D'antonio Bass Gear Rig and Equipment |url=https://www.uberproaudio.com/who-plays-what/225-killswitch-engage-mike-dantonio-bass-gear-rig-and-equipment#:~:text=D'Antonio%20formed%20the%20band,Cro-Mags%20as%20personal%20influences |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=www.uberproaudio.com}} Martín Méndez,{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Kevin |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Martin Mendez: My Top Five Bass Influences |url=https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2021/08/31/martin-mendez-my-top-five-bass-influences/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=No Treble |language=en-US}} Paolo Gregoletto,{{Cite web |last=Casadei |first=Stefano |date=August 7, 2017 |title=Exclusive For Bass Players Only interview Paolo Gregoletto |url=https://forbassplayersonly.com/paolo-gregoletto/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=For Bass Players Only |language=en-US}} Paul Gray,{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2021 |title=Slipknot: Paul Gray's 10 best songs |url=https://www.kerrang.com/slipknot-paul-grays-10-best-songs/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=Kerrang! |language=en}} Paulo Jr.,{{cite web |last=Maragno |first=Karla |year=2009 |title=Entrevista com Paulo Xisto – SEPULTURA |url=http://baixobrasil.blogspot.be/2009/05/entrevista-com-paulo-xisto-sepultura.html |publisher=baixobrasil.com}} Reginald Arvizu{{Cite web |last=McIverpublished |first=Joel |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Korn's Fieldy: "I want it to be an almost percussion-sounding instrument rather than a bass" |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/korns-fieldy-i-want-it-to-be-an-almost-percussion-sounding-instrument-rather-than-a-bass |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=guitarworld |language=en}} Tony Campos,{{cite web |date=April 10, 2012 |title=Previously Unreleased "Golden Gods" Interview With TONY CAMPOS (Soulfly, Prong, ex-Static X)! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUVQvCnNZn0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/HUVQvCnNZn0 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |access-date=May 3, 2015 |publisher=YouTube.com}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |date=April 25, 2007 |title=Interview with Tony Campos Bassist for Static-X |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT8gPhXr6q0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/kT8gPhXr6q0 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |access-date=May 3, 2015 |publisher=YouTube.com}}{{cbignore}} and Troy Sanders.{{Citation |title=Mastodon's Troy Sanders - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? | date=January 25, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogCm_RnAVV8 |access-date=February 20, 2024 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2020 |title=Mastodon's Troy Sanders: "We Went From Crashing On Cat-Littered… |url=https://www.kerrang.com/mastodons-troy-sanders-we-went-from-crashing-on-cat-littered-floors-to-playing-the-biggest-stages-with-all-of-our-heroes/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=Kerrang! |language=en}}

Metallica wrote a tribute to Burton titled "To Live Is to Die" for ...And Justice for All. Burton also received a writing credit for the lyrics in the middle of the song, as well as the bass lines being a medley of unused recordings Burton had performed prior to his death.{{cite book|last=McIver|first=Joel|author-link=Joel McIver|title=To Live Is to Die: The Life and Death of Metallica's Cliff Burton|year=2009|publisher=Jawbone Publishing|isbn=978-1-906002-24-4|page=230}} A non-Metallica tribute to Burton, "In My Darkest Hour", was created by thrash metal band Megadeth. According to Dave Mustaine, after hearing of Burton's death, he sat down and wrote the music for the song in one sitting.{{cite web|last=Herzog|first=Kenny|title=Setlist - Dave Mustaine|url=https://www.avclub.com/dave-mustaine-1798226690|work=The A.V. Club|date=July 18, 2011|access-date=November 6, 2013|archive-date=November 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109010157/http://www.avclub.com/articles/dave-mustaine,59091/|url-status=live}} The lyrics, however, are unrelated to Burton's death. Mustaine was Metallica's lead guitarist in the early days and was a close friend of Burton at the time.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/article/dave_mustaine_countdown_to_extinction?page=0,1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908073357/http://www.guitarworld.com/article/dave_mustaine_countdown_to_extinction?page=0,1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |title=Dave Mustaine: Countdown to Extinction |access-date=November 27, 2010 |magazine=Guitar World }} Thrash metal band Anthrax dedicated its album Among the Living to him, as did Metal Church with The Dark.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

In 2006, a memorial stone was unveiled in Sweden near the scene of the fatal crash. The lyrics "...cannot the Kingdom of Salvation take me home" from "To Live Is to Die" are written on Burton's memorial stone. On April 4, 2009, Burton was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Metallica bandmates James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett. Subsequent bassists Jason Newsted and Robert Trujillo were inducted as well. During the ceremony, the induction was accepted by his father Ray Burton, who shared the stage with the band and said that Cliff's mother was Metallica's biggest fan.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgrSwealWCs&t=960s|title=Metallica - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony 2009|website=YouTube |date=September 25, 2011}}

A biography, To Live Is to Die: The Life and Death of Metallica's Cliff Burton, written by Joel McIver, was published by Jawbone Press in June 2009. Hammett provided the book's foreword.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=112537 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530064914/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=112537 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 30, 2012 |title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET – METALLICA Guitarist Provides Foreword To First-Ever CLIFF BURTON Biography |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=December 30, 2009 }}

On the “Hardwired… to Self Destruct Deluxe" bonus track “Fade to Black (Live at Rasputin Music)" James dedicates the song to Cliff, saying “For Cliff!” and “Can you hear us Cliff?”{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/watch-metallica-perform-live-at-berkeleys-rasputin-music/|title=Watch METALLICA Perform Live At Berkeley's Rasputin Music|last=Blabbermouth|date=April 16, 2016|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=December 25, 2016|archive-date=December 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225081415/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/watch-metallica-perform-live-at-berkeleys-rasputin-music/|url-status=live}}

A 2011 reader poll from Rolling Stone placed Burton as the ninth greatest bassist of all time.

In 2017, it was revealed that Burton's parents had been donating his posthumous royalty payments to a scholarship fund for music students at his alma mater Castro Valley High School.{{cite web|url=https://wmmr.com/2017/08/11/cliff-burtons-father-donates-metallica-royalties-music-scholarships-2/|title=Cliff Burton's Father Donates Metallica Royalties To Music Scholarships|date=August 11, 2017|access-date=June 20, 2019|archive-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620095623/https://wmmr.com/2017/08/11/cliff-burtons-father-donates-metallica-royalties-music-scholarships-2/|url-status=live}} In 2018, the Alameda County, California, Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation declaring February 10, 2018, which would have been Burton's 56th birthday, as "Cliff Burton Day" after a fan petition successfully passed.{{cite magazine|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/02/alameda-county-california-has-declares-february-10th-as-cliff-burton-day-in-honor-of-the-late-metallica-bassist/|title=Alameda County, California declares February 10th as "Cliff Burton Day" in honor of the late Metallica bassist|last=Young|first=Alex|date=February 6, 2018|access-date=February 7, 2018|magazine=Consequence of Sound|archive-date=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207072123/https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/02/alameda-county-california-has-declares-february-10th-as-cliff-burton-day-in-honor-of-the-late-metallica-bassist/|url-status=live}} The S&M2 concert in 2019 featured San Francisco Symphony bassist Scott Pingel paying tribute to Burton by playing his signature bass solo, "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth", using an electric double bass with pedal effects.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/san-francisco-symphony-bassist-on-show-stopping-tribute-to-metallicas-cliff-burton-891589/|magazine=Rolling Stone|title=San Francisco Symphony Bassist on Show-Stopping Tribute to Metallica's Cliff Burton|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2020|author=Grow, Kory|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927004244/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/san-francisco-symphony-bassist-on-show-stopping-tribute-to-metallicas-cliff-burton-891589/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Metallica discography}}Studio albums

• Kill 'Em All (1983)
• Ride the Lightning (1984)
• Master of Puppets (1986)
• ...And Justice for All (1988) (posthumous writing credit on "To Live Is to Die")

Video

• Cliff 'em All (1987)

Demos

• No Life 'til Leather (1982) (credited but does not play)
• Megaforce (1983)
• Ride the Lightning (1983)
• Master of Puppets (1985)

Compilations

• Garage Inc. (1998) (featured on "Am I Evil?" and "Blitzkrieg" only)

• Metal Massacre II (1982) (features on "Such a Shame" only)
• Scratch and Scream (2013 reissue) (features on bonus tracks only){{cite web | url=https://bravewords.com/news/trauma-late-metallica-bassist-cliff-burton-featured-on-scratch-and-scream-reissue | title=TRAUMA - Late METALLICA Bassist Cliff Burton Featured on Scratch and Scream Reissue | date=October 12, 2013 }}

• Plays Metallica Vol. 2 (2024) ("The Call of Ktulu" cover features the original bass master track used in Ride the Lightning.){{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/apocalyptica-releases-cover-of-metallicas-the-call-of-ktulu-featuring-cliff-burtons-original-bassline | title=APOCALYPTICA Releases Cover of METALLICA's 'The Call of Ktulu' Featuring CLIFF BURTON's Original Bassline | date=June 5, 2024 }}

{{reflist|2}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{facebook|id= rayhburton1|name= Cliff Burton Family}}
• [http://www.cliffinourminds.com/ Cliff In Our Minds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015034124/http://www.cliffinourminds.com/ |date=October 15, 2007 }} – memorial website

{{s-start}}

{{s-bef|before=Ron McGovney}}

{{s-ttl|title=Metallica bassist|years=1982–1986}}

{{s-aft|after=Jason Newsted}}

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{{Metallica}}

{{2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burton, Cliff}}

Category:1962 births

Category:1986 deaths

Category:20th-century American bass guitarists

Category:20th-century American male musicians

Category:American heavy metal bass guitarists

Category:American male bass guitarists

Category:Metallica members

Category:Musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area

Category:People from Castro Valley, California

Category:Road incident deaths in Sweden

Category:Thrash metal musicians