Date of Birth: February 10, 1962
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: September 27, 1986
Biography
Clifford Lee Burton, widely known as Cliff Burton, was an influential American musician best known as the bassist for the iconic heavy metal band Metallica. Born on February 10, 1962, in Castro Valley, California, Burton was introduced to music at a young age by his parents, who encouraged his interests in various forms of art. Burton began playing the piano at age six before switching to the bass guitar at age 13, inspired by the untimely death of his brother. He joined Metallica in 1982, bringing a unique style and musicianship that significantly shaped the band’s early sound. His complex bass lines and innovative use of distortion and effects became a hallmark of Metallica’s music. Burton played on the band’s first three studio albums: “Kill ‘Em All,” “Ride the Lightning,” and “Master of Puppets,” the last of which is considered one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time. Tragically, Burton’s life was cut short on September 27, 1986, when Metallica’s tour bus skidded off the road in Sweden, leading to a fatal accident. His death was a profound loss to the music community, and he is remembered as one of the greatest bassists in rock and metal history. Burton’s legacy continues to inspire musicians around the world.
5 Interesting Facts about Cliff Burton
1. Cliff Burton was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Metallica in 2009.
2. He was known for his distinctive finger-picking style and his use of bass pedals, which added a unique dimension to Metallica’s sound.
3. Burton was a fan of classical music, particularly Johann Sebastian Bach, whose influence can be heard in his bass solos.
4. He was known for wearing bell-bottom jeans, which became something of a trademark look for him.
5. Burton’s contributions to Metallica are commemorated in the song “To Live Is to Die,” which features a spoken word section he wrote.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Cliff Burton
1. “Why should we change on stage? We’re Metallica.”
2. “Control your life through insanity.”
3. “I just like playing music and I’m not going to stop.”
4. “Every once in a while, a person comes along who defies the odds, who defies logic, and fulfills an incredible dream.”
5. “You’re not done until the pain stops.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the time of his death in 1986, Cliff Burton’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Cliff Burton did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Cliff Burton Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Burton
2. [Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction](https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/metallica
3. [Metallica Official Site](https://www.metallica.com/
4. [Biography on AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cliff-burton-mn0000159295/biography
5. [Find a Grave Memorial](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7866/cliff-burton
