Editing Cliff Burton

{{pp-protected|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Short description|American bassist (1962–1986)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Cliff Burton
| image             = Metallica 1983 press photo (cropped).jpg
| image_size        = 
| caption           = Burton in 1983
| birth_name        = Clifford Lee Burton
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1962|2|10|mf=y}}
| birth_place       = [[Castro Valley, California]], U.S.
| death_date        = {{nowrap|{{Death date and age|mf=yes|1986|9|27|1962|2|14}}}}
| death_place       = Near [[Dörarp]], Sweden
| instrument        = Bass guitar<!-- only main instruments -->
| genre             = [[Thrash metal]]<!-- Metallica played exclusively thrash metal when Burton was there -->
| occupation        = Musician
| years_active      = 1974–1986
| past_member_of    = {{flatlist|
* [[Metallica]]
* {{nowrap|EZ-Street}}
* Agents of Misfortune
* [[Trauma (American band)|Trauma]]
* Spastik Children
}}
| website           = 
}}

'''Clifford Lee Burton''' (February 10, 1962 – September 27, 1986) was an American musician who served as the bassist for the [[thrash metal]] band [[Metallica]] from 1982 until his death in 1986. He is renowned for his musicianship and influence.

Burton's early musical ventures include performing in bands such as EZ-Street and Agents of Misfortune, and frequently collaborating with guitarist [[Jim Martin (musician)|Jim Martin]]. He was discovered by [[James Hetfield]] and [[Lars Ulrich]] while performing in Los Angeles, who asked him to replace bassist [[Ron McGovney]] in Metallica. After the release of their first two albums ''[[Kill 'Em All]]'' (1983) and ''[[Ride the Lightning]]'' (1984), Burton and Metallica achieved their worldwide breakthrough with ''[[Master of Puppets]]'' (1986), often cited as both the band's best work and one of the best metal albums.

While [[Damage, Inc. Tour|touring in 1986]] to support ''Master of Puppets'', Burton died following a bus crash in Sweden. He received posthumous writing credits on ''[[...And Justice for All (album)|...And Justice for All]]'' (1988) for the song "To Live Is to Die". He was posthumously inducted to the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a member of Metallica in 2009. He also appeared in a 2011 reader poll from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' recognizing the greatest bassists of all time,<ref name="TopBassists">{{cite magazine |date=March 31, 2011 |title=Rolling Stone Readers Pick the Top Ten Bassists of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/rolling-stone-readers-pick-the-top-ten-bassists-of-all-time-20110331/9-cliff-burton-0727528 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620194506/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/rolling-stone-readers-pick-the-top-ten-bassists-of-all-time-20110331/9-cliff-burton-0727528 |archive-date=June 20, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2013 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> and on ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s list of the 50 greatest bass players of all time.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The 50 Greatest Bassists Of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-greatest-bassists-of-all-time-1003022/cliff-burton-1003052/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>

== Early life ==
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 music|heavy metal]]. He began playing the bass at age 13, after the death of his brother, who died from a brain aneurysm.<ref>{{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}}</ref> His parents quoted him as saying, "I'm going to be the best bassist for my brother."<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 music|country]] to the [[blues]].<ref name="bass player">{{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 }}</ref>

Burton cited [[Geddy Lee]], [[Geezer Butler]], [[Stanley Clarke]], [[Lemmy Kilmister]], and [[Phil Lynott]] as major influences on his style of bass playing.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== Career ==
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 (musician)|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 (Metallica song)|For Whom the Bell Tolls]]".<ref name="bass player"/> Burton joined his first professional band, [[Trauma (American 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]].<ref name="bass player" /> 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",<ref name="interview RIP">{{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  }}</ref> 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.<ref name="bass player"/> Metallica, eager to have Burton in the band, left to make a home in [[El Cerrito, California|El Cerrito]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artistwd.com/joyzine/music/metallica/history.php|title=JoyZine&nbsp;— 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}}</ref> a town located across the bay from San Francisco.
[[File:Metallica 1983 press photo.jpg|thumb|Metallica in 1983]]
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]].<ref name="history">{{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}}</ref> The band relocated to [[Old Bridge Township, New Jersey|Old Bridge]], [[New Jersey]], and quickly secured a recording contract with Zazula's label.<ref name="history"/> 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 [[Big Muff|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.<ref name="Lightning review">{{cite web| url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r12989|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Ride the Lightning'' |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=April 26, 2007}}</ref> Burton's songwriting abilities were growing, and he received credit on six of the album's eight songs.<ref name=autogenerated1>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r12989|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic Guide, ''Ride the Lightning'' review]. Retrieved April 26, 2007.</ref> Burton's playing style and use of effects is notably showcased on two tracks: the chromatic intro to "[[For Whom the Bell Tolls (Metallica song)|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.<ref name="history"/> 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.<ref name="1001 albums">{{cite book |title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, p.548 |author=Dimery, Robert }}</ref> Among the tracks featured in the album are the instrumental "Orion" (which features a prominent lead bass section) and the [[Master of Puppets (song)|title track]], which was Burton's favorite Metallica song.<ref name=autogenerated2>[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.</ref> ''Master of Puppets'' was the band's commercial breakthrough release,<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4906|pure_url=yes}} Metallica > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums.]. Retrieved April 26, 2007.</ref> 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.<ref>[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.</ref> 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<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> or "Blitzkrieg" according to the band's homepage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.metallica.com/events/event-9420.html |title=1986-09-26 Stockholm, Sweden {{!}} Metallica.com<!-- Bot generated title --> |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 }}</ref>

== Equipment ==
=== Bass guitars ===
[[File:Rickenbacker Bass 4001JG.jpg|thumb|90px|Rickenbacker 4001 bass, one of the models played by Burton]]
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.<ref name="Brewster">{{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}}</ref>  The neck pickup was swapped with a [[Gibson Brands|Gibson]] "Mudbucker" and the bridge with a [[Seymour Duncan]] "Classic Stack [[Jazz Bass]]" pickup.<ref>[https://guitarspace.org/electric-guitars/cliff-burton-rickenbacker-history/ "The Cliff Burton modded Rickenbacker"] at Guitarspace.org</ref>  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 Inc.|Alembic]] Spoiler II before it was stolen from his car.  In 1985, Burton began endorsing Japanese manufacturer [[Aria (guitar company)|Aria]].  He initially played an SB1000 model before receiving his signature "SB Black n' Gold" bass, which he used on ''Master Of Puppets''.<ref name="Brewster"/>

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.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> Current Metallica bassist [[Robert Trujillo]] was also present and was the first to try out the bass, playing parts of "[[Anesthesia - Pulling Teeth|(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth]]". Ray Burton said, "What a beautiful instrument and a wonderful tribute to Cliff."<ref name="metallica.com">{{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}}</ref>

=== Amplifiers ===
Burton initially combined a [[Sunn]] Beta Bass Amp with a [[Peavey Electronics|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.<ref name="Brewster"/>

=== Effects ===
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 (Metallica song)|For Whom The Bell Tolls]]".<ref name="Brewster"/>  Other effects used include the [[Boss Corporation|Boss]] CS-2 Compression Sustainer, [[Electro-Harmonix]] Russian [[Big Muff]], and [[Ibanez]] HD1500 Harmonics/Delay rack unit.<ref name="Brewster"/>

== Death ==
[[File:Memorial stone 4.jpg|thumb|Cliff Burton memorial stone October 15, 2018]]
In Sweden, on the Damage Inc. tour in support of ''[[Master of Puppets]]'', the band members complained that the [[Bunk bed|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".<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Burton was sleeping when, according to the driver, shortly before 7 a.m. on September 27, the bus skidded off the road (the [[European route E4|E4]], {{convert|12|mi|km|disp=sqbr}} north of [[Ljungby]], just north of [[Dörarp]])<ref name="JFA">{{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}}</ref> and flipped onto the grass in [[Kronoberg County]].<ref name="crash">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="JFA"/> The driver was determined not at fault for the accident and no charges were brought against him.<ref name="BTM">{{cite video |date=November 22, 1998 |title=Behind the Music: Metallica |medium=Television production }}</ref>

Burton's body was cremated and the ashes were scattered at the Maxwell Ranch.<ref name="minds">{{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}}</ref> At the ceremony, the song "[[Orion (Metallica song)|Orion]]" was played. Shortly after Burton's death, [[Jason Newsted]] from [[Flotsam and Jetsam (band)|Flotsam and Jetsam]] became Metallica's new bassist.

== Legacy ==
[[File:Memorial stone 2.jpg|thumb|Cliff Burton memorial stone October 15, 2018]]
Many metal bassists have expressed admiration, or have cited Burton as an influence to their playing. These include, [[Adam Duce]], [[Alex Webster]], [[Chi Cheng (musician)|Chi Cheng]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[Dick Lövgren]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Avenged Sevenfold|Johnny Christ]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Justin Chancellor]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Liam Wilson]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Mike D'Antonio]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Martín Méndez]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Paolo Gregoletto]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Paul Gray (American musician)|Paul Gray]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Paulo Jr.]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Reginald Arvizu]]<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Tony Campos]],<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> and [[Troy Sanders]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Yuke Sampurna]] & [[Erwin Prasetya]]

Metallica wrote a tribute to Burton titled "To Live Is to Die" for ''[[...And Justice for All (album)|...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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Mustaine on Burton">{{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 }}</ref> [[Thrash metal]] band [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]] dedicated its album ''[[Among the Living]]'' to him, as did [[Metal Church]] with ''[[The Dark (Metal Church album)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{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&nbsp;– METALLICA Guitarist Provides Foreword To First-Ever CLIFF BURTON Biography |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=December 30, 2009 }}</ref>

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?”<ref>{{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}}</ref>

A 2011 reader poll from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' placed Burton as the ninth greatest bassist of all time.<ref name=TopBassists/>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 2018, the [[Alameda County, California]], [[Alameda County Board of Supervisors|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== Discography ==

=== With Metallica ===
{{Main|Metallica discography}}'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[Kill 'Em All]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Ride the Lightning]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Master of Puppets]]'' (1986)
* ''[[...And Justice for All (album)|...And Justice for All]]'' (1988) <small>(posthumous writing credit on "To Live Is to Die")</small>

'''Video'''
* ''[[Cliff 'em All]]'' (1987)

'''Demos'''
* ''[[No Life 'til Leather]]'' (1982) <small>(credited but does not play)</small>
* ''Megaforce'' (1983)
* ''Ride the Lightning'' (1983)
* ''Master of Puppets'' (1985)

'''Compilations'''
* ''[[Garage Inc.]]'' (1998) <small>(featured on "[[Am I Evil?]]" and "Blitzkrieg" only)</small>

=== With Trauma ===
* ''[[Metal Massacre|Metal Massacre II]]'' (1982) <small>(features on "Such a Shame" only)</small>
* ''Scratch and Scream'' (2013 reissue) <small>(features on bonus tracks only)</small><ref>{{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 }}</ref>

=== With [[Apocalyptica]] ===
* ''Plays Metallica Vol. 2'' (2024) <small>("The Call of Ktulu" cover features the original bass master track used in ''Ride the Lightning''.)</small><ref>{{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 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{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]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{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]]