Remembering Original METALLICA Bass Player Cliff Burton on His Birthday
When thrash metal pioneers Metallica first hit the mainstream in 1988 (following the release of their 4th studio album And Justice for All and the hit music video for the single “One”), Jason Newsted was their man on bass and backing vocals. Newsted left the band in 2001 and was replaced by Robert Trujillo in 2003.
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But before these two able musicians joined the ranks, Cliff Burton served as bass player for Metallica on their first 3 albums (Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, and Master of Puppets). A passionate and magnanimous musician, many Metallica purists still consider Cliff Burton the best of the bunch.
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On September 27, 1986, Burton died in a bus crash in Kronoberg County, a rural area of southern Sweden, as Metallica toured in support of Master of Puppets. “He has been recognized as a very influential musician both during his career and after his death, placing ninth in a 2011 Rolling Stone magazine online reader poll recognizing the greatest bassists of all time. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Metallica on April 4, 2009.” (Source)
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Had he survived, Burton would have celebrated his 59th birthday today. It’s the perfect time to reflect on his music and his legacy. As such, we’ve selected a few video explorations of his life and career. Enjoy them below, and raise a glass to Cliff Burton!
Are you a fan of Metallica and/or Cliff Burton? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
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