Cliff Burton of Metallica Passed Away 37 Years Ago Today


 

Photo used with permission from the private collection of Michael Anthony Alago.

Photo used with permission from the private collection of Michael Anthony Alago. https://www.instagram.com/michaelanthonyalago/

 

Although we cherish and honor the legacy of Metallica’s iconic classic lineup bassist Clifford Lee Burton (February 10, 1962 – September 27, 1986), we also remember today as the day he passed away 37 years ago in the now infamous bus crash in Sweden. Cliff has left an indelible mark, not only on the greatest metal band ever, but its fans worldwide. As former Ghost Cult Senior Editor Metal Mark wrote in an article in 2017 “…we will never know the full greatness that he could have achieved with the band.” In the meantime, his legacy lives on with Cliff Burton Day held this year in his hometown of Castro Valley, California, while Metallica continues to pay tribute to the music they made together, ticking off anniversaries of Cliff’s albums, and even though Cliff’s father Ray Burton has passed away, Cliff’s family continues donating Cliff’s royalties to charity. Check out these tributes to Cliff and appreciate this once in a lifetime person and talent.

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CLASSIC ALBUMS REVISITED: Metallica’s Debut Album “Kill Em All” Turns 40


 

Nearly every facet of Metallica’s nearly 43-year career has been explored in zines, magazines, message boards, websites, blogs, vlogs, social media, and AOL (and other) messenger chats but first in drunken huddled conversations with friends in bars, parking lots, and hang spaces. From humble beginnings came the now fully not humble biggest band in the world in 2023.

 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Metallica – 72 Seasons


 

And so the Metallica riff machine rolls on! forty years after their debut album Kill Em All (1983) laid the blueprint for the Thrash Metal genre, they return with record number … well that’s kind of up for debate depending on how you view their discography, and whether you count live albums, covers album and erm collaborations. But 72 Seasons (Blackened Recordings Inc) is here, their latest artistic statement four decades into a career that has seen them rise from the US West Coast underground, to become the most successful Heavy Metal band of all time. Continue reading


Watch The Official Memorial Livestream for Metallica Bassist Cliff Burton – “Cliff Burton Day 2022”


Influential early Metallica bassist Cliff Burton would have turned 60 years old yesterday, February 10th, 2022. He was honored with a special “Cliff Burton Day” live stream at with a special live stream on YouTube which you can see below. Emceed by Nicholas Gomez, the party will include Big Mick, Metal Joe, Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer), Dan Riley, Brian Lew, Dean Delray, Brian Slagel, Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Canada Dave, Connie Burton and more!

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Super7’s ReAction Figure of Metallica Bassist Cliff Burton is On Sale Now


Super7 Toys has released their Metallica Cliff Burton ReAction Figure, in time for Cliff Burton Day, which is today February 10th. 2022. Today would have been Cliff’s 60th birthday! The 3.75” Cliff Burton ReAction figure includes his bass guitar and a hammer to “kill them all” accessories! Proceeds from this figure will benefit the Cliff Burton Scholarship Fund. The package is inspired by Metallica’s Ride The Lightning and the artwork is by Ed Repka. Check out this video with Brian Lew (Murder In The Front Row book, Super7) to discuss the release.

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Celebrate Cliff Burton (Metallica) Day With a Livestream Event and Exclusive Merch


Influential early Metallica bassist Cliff Burton would have turned 60 years old tomorrow, February 10th, 2022. He will be honored with a special “Cliff Burton Day” February 10th with a special live stream at with a special live stream at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST. Watch at the link below. In addition to many who knew Cliff personally, professionally and family, there will be a merch drop, specially designed by Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, a new Super7 ReActionfigure of Cliff, the first for a member of Metallica, and more!

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Metallica Released Their Thrash Classic “Master of Puppets” 35 Years Ago


Metallica released their Thrash Metal defining moment thirty-five years ago today with Master of Puppets (Elektra Records/Blackened Recordings). While 1986 gave us many legend-status albums from top-tier bands, this is still the one that stands above all the others. Taking the NWBHM influence of Kill Em All, and the improved thrash stylings and songcraft of Ride The Lightning, and moving leaps forward, MoP rules from start to finish. Sadly, this was to be their final album with Cliff Burton who died during the tour cycle promoting this album, but Master of Puppets is a genre classic through and through. Jam it loud and proud today! Continue reading


Watch Metallica Play Live in Chicago in 1983 for #MetallicaMondays


Metallica’s weekly concert series #MetallicaMondays continues tonight with a livestream of the bands’ 1983 concert in Chicago! As they do every week, the band will host simultaneous fundraisers benefiting All Within My Hands via YouTube and Facebook. During the first two shows alone, fans raised tens of 1000s of dollars. Generous donations like these help AWMH provide grants like those for Feeding America, Direct Relief, Crew Nation, and the USBG National Charity Foundation in support of COVID-19 relief efforts. Continue reading