Cliff Burton

Cliff Burton
Burton in 1986
Background information
Birth name	Clifford Lee Burton
Born	February 10, 1962(1962-02-10) Castro Valley, California, United States
Died	September 27, 1986(1986-09-27) (aged 24) Ljungby Municipality, Sweden
Genres	Thrash metal, speed metal, heavy metal
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Bass, piano, guitar, vocals
Years active	1979–1986
Labels	Megaforce, Elektra
Associated acts	Metallica, Agents of Misfortune, EZ-Street, Trauma
Website	Official Metallica website
Notable instruments
Rickenbacker 4001 Aria Pro II SB-1000

Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton (February 10, 1962 – September 27, 1986) was an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band Metallica.

Burton joined the band in 1982 and performed on its debut studio album, Kill 'Em All. He performed on two more Metallica albums, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, both of which met with major commercial and critical success. Burton was known for his "lead bass" approach, in which the bass played a melodic and soloist role, in addition to holding down the harmonic and rhythmic foundation of the band.

On September 27, 1986, Burton died when the band's tour bus over-turned in rural southern Sweden. Burton was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Metallica on April 4, 2009.

Biography

Early years

Burton was born on February 10, 1962, in Castro Valley, California to Jan and Ray Burton. He had two elder siblings, Scott and Connie. Burton's interest in music began when his father introduced him to classical music and he began taking piano lessons. In his teenage years, Burton had an interest in rock, classical and eventually heavy metal. He began playing the bass at age 13, after the death of his brother. His parents quoted him as saying, "I'm going to be the best bassist for my brother."^[1] 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, country and blues.^[2] Burton also cited Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath, Misfits, Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, and Geddy Lee of Rush as influences on his style of bass playing.^[3]

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 guitarist "Big" Jim Martin and future Faith No More and Ozzy Osbourne drummer 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 trademark 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".^[2] Burton joined his first major band, Trauma, in 1982. Burton recorded the track "Such a Shame" with the band on the second Metal Massacre compilation.

Metallica

In 1982, Trauma traveled to Los Angeles to perform at the Whisky a Go Go.^[2] 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" (which later became "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth"), the two went in search of what they thought was an amazing guitar player. When they learned that what they had heard was a bass solo by Burton, they decided to recruit him 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",^[4] he agreed. The idea of having to move to Los Angeles did not sit well with him, and said he would join only if the band would relocate from Los Angeles to his native San Francisco Bay Area.^[2] Metallica, eager to have Burton in the band, left their origin of Los Angeles to make a home in El Cerrito,^[5] a town located across the bay from San Francisco.

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 John Zazula, owner of Megaforce Records.^[6] The band relocated to Old Bridge, New Jersey and quickly secured a recording contract with Zazula's label.^[6] Its debut album, Kill 'Em All, features Burton's famous solo piece, "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth", which showcased his use of effects, such as a wah-wah pedal (until then the wah-wah pedal had been the near-exclusive domain of six-string guitarists,^[2] with the exception of Geezer Butler on Black Sabbath's debut album, and occasionally ultra-progressive bassists such as Chris Squire).

Metallica's first album, Kill 'Em All, was originally titled Metal Up Your Ass, but the music censors didn't like the title and forced the band to change it. After the band learned of the change, Cliff said "Just kill 'em all, man,"^{[citation needed]}((source : imdb.com)) and the band members got an idea for the new title, and Metallica's debut album was titled Kill 'Em All, and was released in 1983.

The band's second studio album, Ride the Lightning, showcased the band's increasing musical growth.^[7] Burton's songwriting abilities were growing, and he received credit on six of the album's eight songs.^[8] Burton's playing style and use of effects is showcased on two tracks: the chromatic intro to "For Whom the Bell Tolls", and the "lead bass" on "The Call of Ktulu".

The increase of musicianship on Ride the Lightning caught the attention of major record labels.^[6] Metallica was signed to Elektra Records, and began working on its third album, Master of Puppets, which is considered by most critics to be a landmark album in both thrash and the whole of metal.^[9] Burton is featured heavily on a number of tracks, most notably the instrumental "Orion", which again featured Burton's lead bass playing style. The album also contained Burton's favorite Metallica song "Master of Puppets".^[10] Master of Puppets was the band's commercial breakthrough,^[11] but it would be Burton's final album with Metallica.

Burton's final performance was in Stockholm, Sweden, at the Solnahallen Arena on September 26, 1986.^[12] One of Burton's final performances with the band is available for free to download from Metallica's website.^[13]

Death

Memorial stone near the crash site, next to Master of Puppets CD.

During the European leg of the Damage Inc. tour in support of Master of Puppets, the band complained that the sleeping cubicles on their tour bus were unsatisfactory and uncomfortable. To decide who received pick of the bunks, Kirk Hammett and Burton drew cards.^[14] On the evening of September 26, 1986, Burton won the game with an Ace of Spades, thereby getting the first choice of bunk and pointed at Hammett and exclaimed "I want your bunk!" Hammett replied "Fine, take my bunk, I'll sleep up front, it's probably better up there anyway". Burton was sleeping shortly before 7 am on September 27 when, according to the driver, the bus skidded off the road (the E4, 2 miles north of Ljungby),^[15] and flipped onto the grass in Ljungby Municipality, near Dörarp in rural southern Sweden.^[16] Burton was thrown through the window of the bus, which fell on top of him. They tried to save him and managed to lift the bus up a little, but before they could retrieve him, the weight of the bus became too much and the bus slipped off the crane and landed on the ground again.

James Hetfield later stated that he first believed the bus flipped because the driver was drunk, claiming his breath smelled of alcohol after the accident. Hetfield also stated that he walked long distances down the road looking for black ice and found none. Local freelance photographer Lennart Wennberg, who attended the crash scene the following morning, later asked in an interview about the likelihood that black ice caused the accident, said it was 'out of the question' because the road was dry and the temperature around two degrees Celsius (37 degrees Fahrenheit). This was confirmed by police who 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.^[15] The driver was determined not at fault for the accident and no charges were brought against him.^[17]

Burton was cremated and his ashes scattered at the Maxwell Ranch.^[14] At the ceremony, the song "Orion" was played. The lyrics "...cannot the Kingdom of Salvation take me home" from "To Live Is to Die" are written on Burton's memorial stone. Shortly after Burton's death, Jason Newsted from Flotsam and Jetsam became Metallica's new bassist; a position he held until 2001.

A memorial for Burton in Ljungby, Sweden

The best-known non-Metallica tribute to Burton is the song "In My Darkest Hour" by rival 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. 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. Mustaine said the song was inspired by Burton's death.^[18]

On October 3, 2006, a memorial stone was unveiled in Sweden near the scene of the fatal crash. It is located by the parking lot to Gyllene Rasten.

Contemporary thrash metal band Anthrax dedicated its album Among the Living to him, as did Metal Church with The Dark.

On April 4, 2009, Burton was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the rest of Metallica. During the ceremony, the induction was accepted by his father, Ray Burton, who shared the stage with the band and mentioned that Cliff's mother was actually Metallica's biggest fan.

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.^[19]

Discography

Main article: Metallica discography

Studio albums Kill 'Em All (1983) Ride the Lightning (1984) Master of Puppets (1986) Demos No Life 'til Leather (1982) (credited but does not play) Megaforce (1983) Ride the Lightning (1983) Master of Puppets (1985) Compilations Metal Massacre Vol.II (with Trauma)

Equipment

Bass guitars

• Rickenbacker 4001 in Burgundy; later modified with Gibson Mudbucker and Seymour Duncan J Humcancelling pickup. Cliff also had a Seymour Duncan stratocaster pick-up installed under the Rickenbacker bridge in place of the foam mute. This bass resides at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Aria SB-1000. Cliff is seen using this for "Day On The Green" with dot inlays. Cliff was not really a big fan of this bass and preferred the Black n Gold 1. This bass is now at HQ, Metallica's current recording studio.
• Aria Black n Gold 1. This was also his favorite guitar, and used most often. This had the famous oval inlays. It is now on display along with James Hetfield's ESP Explorer at the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.
• Alembic Spoiler. This was stolen from Cliff, according to him in an interview.^[20]

Amplifiers

• Mesa Boogie 4x12 cabinets
• Mesa Boogie Custom-built 1x15 cabinets in to match 4x12 size
• Ampeg SVT-1540HE Classic Series Enclosure
• Mesa Boogie D-180 head x 2
• Sunn Coliseum Lead amp with 2x15 cabinet in the early years
• Peavey MK IV Head with 1x18,2x10 in early years

Effects

• Chrome Tel-Ray Morley Power Wah Boost
• Chrome Tel-Ray Morley Power Wah Fuzz
• Electro-Harmonix Big Muff
• Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-808
• Boss CS-2 Compressor
• Boss CS-1 Compressor (according to "To Live Is to Die" Cliff Burton Metallica Biography Book-Front page color pics)
• Electro Harmonix Bass Balls
• MXR Limiter (Red One)
• Ibanez HD-1500 Delay/Moduration Rack unit

References

1. ^ O., Harald. "Interview link". Allmetallica.com. http://www.allmetallica.com/info/interviews/cliffparents.php. Retrieved 2007-12-09. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} {6Ellefson, David (February, 2005). "The King of Metal Bass". Bass Player Magazine. http://www.bassplayer.com/story.aspx?id=164. Retrieved 04-26 2007. 
3. ^ "Cliff Burton: Information". Answers.com. http://www.answers.com/topic/cliff-burton/. 
4. ^ "Cliff Burton R.I.P. Interview". Metallicaworld.com. http://www.metallicaworld.co.uk/Interviews/1986_cliff.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-26. 
5. ^ ((( JoyZine - Interview with Metallica by Ron Quintana )))^{[dead link]}
6. ^ ^{a b c} "Metallica History Part 1". Metallica. http://www.metallica.com/Band/history.asp?part=1. Retrieved 2007-04-26. 
7. ^ "Ride the Lightning". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r12989. Retrieved 2007-04-26. 
8. ^ Allmusic Guide, Ride the Lightning review. Retrieved 2007-26-04.
9. ^ 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, p.548. 
10. ^ Cliff Burton R.I.P. Interview. Retrieved 2007-26-04.
11. ^ Metallica > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums.. Retrieved 2007-26-04.
12. ^ metal-george's Cliff Burton Page. Retrieved 2007-26-04.
13. ^ LiveMetallica.com > Vault.. Retrieved 2007-31-08.
14. ^ ^{a b} "Cliff in Our Minds Biography". Cliff In Our Minds. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071015034124/http://www.cliffinourminds.com/. Retrieved 2007-12-09. 
15. ^ ^{a b} McIver, Joel (2004). Justice for All: The Truth about Metallica. Omnibus Press. pp. 159–165. ISBN 9780711996007. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=6LwTMoqykcYC&pg=PA159&dq=cliff+burton+death#PPA160,M1. 
16. ^ "Metallica History Part 2". Metallica. http://www.metallica.com/Band/history.asp?part=2. Retrieved 2006-12-23. 
17. ^ Behind the Music: Metallica (Television production). 22 November 1998. 
18. ^ "Dave Mustaine: Countdown to Extinction". Guitar World. http://www.guitarworld.com/article/dave_mustaine_countdown_to_extinction?page=0,1. Retrieved 2010-11-27. 
19. ^ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET - METALLICA Guitarist Provides Foreword To First-Ever CLIFF BURTON Biography". Roadrunnerrecords.com. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=112537. Retrieved 2009-12-30. 
20. ^ O,Harold (february 1986). "CLIFF BURTON R.I.P. - 1986". http://www.metallicaworld.co.uk/Interviews/1986_cliff.htm. 

External links

Biography portal

• Metallica.com - The Official Metallica Website
• Cliff In Our Minds memorial website
• Arron's Tribute To Cliff Burton
• Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame: Metallica FuseTV
• Trauma Part I
• Trauma Part II

Preceded by Ron McGovney

Metallica bassist 1982-1986

Succeeded by Jason Newsted

Persondata
Name	Burton, Cliff
Alternative names	Burton, Clifford Lee
Short description	Musician, Songwriter
Date of birth	1962-02-10
Place of birth	Castro Valley, California, U.S.
Date of death	1986-09-27
Place of death	Ljungby Municipality, Sweden