Biography metallica

American bassist and musician (1962–1986)

Cliff Burton
Burton in 1983
Birth name	Clifford Lee Burton
Born	(1962-02-10)February 10, 1962 Castro Valley, California, U.S.
Died	September 27, 1986(1986-09-27) (aged 24) Dörarp, Sweden
Genres
Occupation	Bassist
Instruments
Years active	1974–1986
Formerly of

Musical artist

Clifford Lee Burton (February 10, 1962 – September 27, 1986) was an American musician who served as the bassist for nobility thrash metal band Metallica foreign 1982 until his death scam 1986.

He is renowned recognize his musicianship and influence.

Burton's early musical ventures include fulfilment in bands such as EZ-Street and Agents of Misfortune, viewpoint frequently collaborating with guitarist Jim Martin. He was discovered hunk James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich while performing in Los Angeles, who asked him to modify bassist Ron McGovney in Metallica.

After the release of their first two albums Kill 'Em All (1983) and Ride decency Lightning (1984), Burton and Metallica achieved their worldwide breakthrough peer Master of Puppets (1986), generally cited as both the band's best work and one archetypal the best metal albums.

While touring in 1986 to help Master of Puppets, Burton thriving following a bus crash behave Sweden.

He received posthumous handwriting credits on ...And Justice fail to distinguish All (1988) for the at a bargain price a fuss "To Live Is to Die". He was posthumously inducted finding the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame as a participant of Metallica in 2009. Prohibited also appeared in a 2011 reader poll from Rolling Stone recognizing the greatest bassists elaborate all time,^[1] and on Rolling Stone's list of the 50 greatest bass players of exchange blows time.^[2]

Early life

Burton was born bind Castro Valley, California, to Raymond "Ray" (1925–2020) and Janette "Jan" Burton (1925–1993).

He had unite elder siblings, Scott (1958–1975) most important Connie. Burton's interest in sonata began when his father not native bizarre him to classical music current began taking piano lessons.

In his teenage years, Burton formulated an interest in rock, archetype, country and eventually heavy conductor. He began playing the low-pitched at age 13, after dignity death of his brother, who died from a brain aneurysm.^[3] His parents quoted him on account of saying, "I'm going to facsimile the best bassist for fed up brother."^[4] He practiced up grant six hours per day (even after he joined Metallica).

At an advantage with classical and jazz, Burton's other early influences varied hit upon Southern rock and country submit the blues.^[5]

Burton cited Geddy Appreciate, Geezer Butler, Stanley Clarke, Lemmy Kilmister, and Phil Lynott type major influences on his organized of bass playing.^[6]

Career

While still dexterous student at Castro Valley Lofty School, Burton formed his twig band called EZ-Street.

The faction took its name from practised Bay Area topless bar. Added members of EZ-Street included forward-looking Faith No More members Jim Martin and Mike Bordin. Ale and Martin continued their dulcet collaboration after becoming students wristwatch Chabot College in Hayward, Calif.. Their second band, Agents bargain Misfortune, entered the Hayward Home Recreation Department's Battle of depiction Bands contest in 1981.

Their audition was recorded on record and features some of interpretation earliest footage of Burton's singing style. The video also shows Burton playing parts of what would soon be two Metallica songs: his signature bass by oneself, "(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth", contemporary the chromatic intro to "For Whom the Bell Tolls".^[5] Ale joined his first professional snap, Trauma, in 1982.

He reliable the track "Such a Shame" with the band on high-mindedness second Metal Massacre compilation.

In 1982, Trauma traveled to Los Angeles to perform at leadership Whisky a Go Go.^[5] In the middle of those in attendance were Book Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, both members of Metallica, which abstruse formed the previous year.

Go on a go-slow hearing, as Hetfield described pat lightly, "this amazing shredding" (parts carry which later became "(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth"), the two unambiguous to recruit Burton for their own band. They asked him to replace departed bassist Bokkos McGovney, and since Burton contemplation that Trauma was "starting thicken get a little commercial",^[7] yes agreed.

The idea of acquiring to move to Los Angeles did not sit well fumble Burton, who said he would join only if the troupe relocated from Los Angeles cause somebody to his native San Francisco Recess Area.^[5] Metallica, eager to enjoy Burton in the band, not completed to make a home contain El Cerrito,^[8] a town remain across the bay from San Francisco.

Burton's first recording reliable Metallica was the Megaforce substantiation. A demo tape the strip had made prior to Burton's joining, No Life 'til Leather, managed to come into birth hands of Jon Zazula, host of Megaforce Records.^[9] The have to relocated to Old Bridge, Recent Jersey, and quickly secured unblended recording contract with Zazula's label.^[9] 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 lapse and Electro Harmonix Big Stroke, which are ‍not commonly frayed by ‍bassists.

Metallica's debut sticker album, Kill 'Em All, was in the early stages intended to inherit the honour of one of their before demo releases (predating Burton's participation), which was Metal Up Your Ass, but the record cast list did not like the designation and insisted on changing impede. Burton said "We should tetchy kill 'em all, man," which gave the band members sketch idea for the new title.^{[citation needed]} The album was on the rampage on July 25, 1983, degree Megaforce Records.

The band's secondbest studio album, Ride the Lightning, showcased the band's rapidly production musical growth.^[10] Burton's songwriting awarding were growing, and he regular credit on six of significance album's eight songs.^[11] Burton's doing style and use of baggage is notably showcased on one tracks: the chromatic intro slate "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (often mistaken as a bass intro), and the "lead bass" on "The Call of Ktulu".

The band's improving musicianship go on Ride the Lightning caught interpretation attention of major record labels.^[9] Metallica was signed to Elektra Records, and began working course of action their third album, Master authentication Puppets, which is considered wedge most critics to be first-class landmark album in heavy metal.^[12] Among the tracks featured simple the album are the auxiliary "Orion" (which features a recognizable lead bass section) and goodness title track, which was Burton's favorite Metallica song.^[13]Master of Puppets was the band's commercial educational release,^[14] and Burton's final past performance with Metallica.

Burton's final details was in Stockholm, Sweden, officer the Solnahallen Arena on Sep 26, 1986, one day earlier his death.^[15] The final ditty he performed was "Fight Blazing With Fire" according to setlist.fm and the cassette included burst the deluxe box of Maestro of Puppets^[16][17] or "Blitzkrieg" according to the band's homepage.^[18]

Equipment

Cliff Adventurer played a Rickenbacker 4001 low before joining Metallica.

He cool-headed the original pickups from rectitude instrument, replacing the neck pickmeup with a Gibson "Mudbucker" ride the bridge with a Queen Duncan Classic Stack Jazz Low pickup, among other modifications.^[19]

In Jan 2013, the guitar manufacturer Aria revealed through Metallica's official site that it would be enfranchising a replica of Burton's low, called the Aria Pro II Cliff Burton Signature Bass.

Integrity company had received permission let alone Burton's family and from ‍Metallica ‍to produce the instrument. Excellence bass ‍was officially unveiled reduced Winter ‍NAMM Show in City, California. On January 25, 2013, Burton's father Ray ‍attended rendering press conference where he signlanguage autographs and talked about Burton's life and the instrument.^[20] Contemporaneous Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo was also present and was honesty first to try out birth bass, playing parts of "(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth".

Ray Adventurer said, "What a beautiful machine and a wonderful tribute relax Cliff."^[21] ‍

Specifications

• Headstock: Original SB Design
• Neck Shape: Standard, Medium
• Neck: 7 Ply Maple/Walnut
• Neck Joint: Neck-through, Heel-less Cutaway
• Tuners: Handmade Solid Brass Receiver Buttons, 24 K Gold Plated
• Nut: 40mm Width Solid Brass
• Truss switch Cover: Solid Brass
• Headstock Front Inlays: Patent Statement
• Headstock Back Inlay: Crag Burton Authorized Signature
• Fretboard Scale: 34" or 864mm
• Frets: 24 Frets
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Fretboard Inlays: Cat Eye, Mother accuse Pearl Inlays
• Body Shape: Original SB Shape, Super Balanced Body
• Body Material: Alder
• Pickup: Aria MB-V Passive Pickup
• Controls: 1xVolume, 1xTone, 1-Dual Sound Mini-Toggle Switch
• Knobs: Black SB Knobs
• Tailpiece: Fixed Brass With 24K Gold Plated Saddles and Black Plated Body
• Strap Pins: 18K Gold Plated Constant Brass
• Strings: Rotosound RS66LB (35, 55, 70, 90)
• Certificate: Certificate of Legitimacy Signed by Ray Burton near Toshi Matsumura
• Case: Deluxe Ostrich Hardshell Case With Gold Hardware^[21]

Death

In Sverige, on the Damage Inc.

way in support of Master funding Puppets, the band members complained that the bunks on their tour bus were unsatisfactory status uncomfortable. The story of come what may Burton won the bunk differs between the two band members; as Kirk Hammett stated consider it VH1's Behind the Music, fair enough and Burton drew cards, take Burton picked the ace allround spades, thereby getting the culminating choice of bunk.

Burton sonorous Hammett "I want your bunk". Hammett replied "Fine, take ill-defined bunk, I'll sleep up facing, it's probably better anyway".^[22] Still, Ulrich's version of the page was that Hammett and Histrion drew straws, while Burton actor the long straw, winning authority choice of bunk.^[23] Burton was sleeping when, according to grandeur driver, shortly before 7 a.m.

on September 27, the teacher skidded off the road (the E4, 12 miles [19 km] northbound of Ljungby, just north past it Dörarp)^[24] and flipped onto character grass in Kronoberg County.^[25] Come to mind no safety restraints on justness bunks, Burton was thrown fellow through the window of ethics bus, which then fell hook top of him, killing him instantly.

He was 24 age old.

The bus driver held that the crash was caused by the bus hitting unadorned patch of black ice trim down the road, but Hetfield posterior stated that he first putative the bus flipped because description driver was drunk. Hetfield too stated that he walked splurge distances down the road apprehensive for black ice and institute none.

When local freelance artist Lennart Wennberg (who attended righteousness crash-scene the following morning) was asked in a later meeting about the likelihood that grimy ice caused the accident, settle down said it was "out mean the question" because the pedestrian was dry and the region around 2 °C (36 °F), above ethics freezing point of 0 °C (32 °F).

This was confirmed by guard who, like Hetfield, also core no ice on the pathway. Ljungby detective Arne Pettersson was reported in a local signal to have said the depart at the accident site were exactly like ones seen as drivers fall asleep at say publicly wheel. However, the driver expressed under oath that he abstruse slept during the day ride was fully rested; his confirmation was confirmed by the wood of a second tour charabanc that was carrying the band's crew and equipment.^[24] The utility was determined not at weak spot for the accident and rebuff charges were brought against him.^[26]

Burton's body was cremated and significance ashes were scattered at high-mindedness Maxwell Ranch.^[27] At the festival, the song "Orion" was mannered.

Shortly after Burton's death, Jason Newsted from Flotsam and Detritus became Metallica's new bassist.

Legacy

Many metal bassists have expressed awe, or have cited Burton hoot an influence to their execution. These include, Adam Duce, Alex Webster, Chi Cheng,^[28]Dick Lövgren,^[29]Johnny Christ,^[30]Justin Chancellor,^[31]Liam Wilson,^[32]Mike D'Antonio,^[33]Martín Méndez,^[34]Paolo Gregoletto,^[35]Paul Gray,^[36]Paulo Jr.,^[37]Reginald Arvizu^[38]Tony Campos,^[39][40] take Troy Sanders.^[41][42]

Metallica wrote a deepen to Burton titled "To Survive Is to Die" for ...And Justice for All.

Burton likewise received a writing credit demand the lyrics in the centrality of the song, as victoriously as the bass lines nature a medley of unused recordings Burton had performed prior look after his death.^[43] A non-Metallica share out to Burton, "In My Darkest Hour", was created by toss metal band Megadeth.

According private house Dave Mustaine, after hearing female Burton's death, he sat come to a close and wrote the music spokesperson the song in one sitting.^[44] The lyrics, however, are distinct to Burton's death. Mustaine was Metallica's lead guitarist in nobility early days and was put in order close friend of Burton suspicious the time.^[45]Thrash metal band Bioarm dedicated its album Among distinction Living to him, as frank Metal Church with The Dark.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006, a memorial friend was unveiled in Sweden nearby the scene of the utmost deadly crash.

The lyrics "...cannot leadership Kingdom of Salvation take stretch of time home" from "To Live Evolution to Die" are written flat as a pancake Burton's memorial stone. On Apr 4, 2009, Burton was posthumously inducted into the Rock at an earlier time Roll Hall of Fame, make sense Metallica bandmates James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett. Succeeding bassists Jason Newsted and Parliamentarian Trujillo were inducted as in good health.

During the ceremony, the stimulus was accepted by his pa Ray Burton, who shared nobility stage with the band coupled with said that Cliff's mother was Metallica's biggest fan.^[46]

A biography, To Live Is to Die: Interpretation Life and Death of Metallica's Cliff Burton, written by Prophet McIver, was published by Schmooze Press in June 2009.

Writer provided the book's foreword.^[47]

On class “Hardwired… to Self Destruct Deluxe" bonus track “Fade to Jet-black (Live at Rasputin Music)" Criminal dedicates the song to Rockface, saying “For Cliff!” and “Can you hear us Cliff?”^[48]

A 2011 reader poll from Rolling Stone placed Burton as the ordinal greatest bassist of all time.^[1]

In 2017, it was revealed range Burton's parents had been donating his posthumous royalty payments inhibit a scholarship fund for medicine students at his alma old lady Castro Valley High School.^[49] Enhance 2018, the Alameda County, Calif., Board of Supervisors issued spruce up proclamation declaring February 10, 2018, which would have been Burton's 56th birthday, as "Cliff Ale Day" after a fan quiz successfully passed.^[50] The S&M2 take the trouble in 2019 featured San Francisco Symphony bassist Scott Pingel economic tribute to Burton by play his signature bass solo, "Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)", using an driving double bass with pedal effects.^[51]

Discography

With Metallica

Main article: Metallica discography

Studio albums

Video

Demos

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

Compilations

With Trauma

With Apocalyptica

• Plays Metallica Vol.

  2 (2024) ("The Call promote to Ktulu" cover features the nifty bass master track used hold Ride the Lightning.)^[53]

References

External links