Cliff Burton, the bass player for Metallica during the 1980s, met a tragic end in a devastating bus accident in 1986. Despite his short time with the band, he played a crucial role in shaping their early sound and contributed to some of their most iconic albums, including Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, and Master of Puppets. After his passing, Metallica honored his memory and musical legacy in the song “To Live Is to Die,” which featured previously unreleased bass recordings he had made before the accident.
Before he joined Metallica, Cliff was already making waves in the music scene with his band Trauma in the early ‘80s. His talent didn’t go unnoticed, and he was eventually invited to become part of what would soon become one of the most influential metal bands in history.
He was born to parents Jan and Ray Burton and grew up with two older siblings, Scott and Connie. Tragically, Cliff was only 13 when he lost his brother Scott. In his personal life, Cliff was in a long-term relationship with Corinne Lynn up until the time of his death in 1986. Prior to that, he had also been in a relationship with Audrey Kimball from 1980 to 1982.
Throughout his life, Cliff Burton left a lasting impact not only through his music but also through the relationships he built and the legacy he left behind in the world of metal.
When Metallica was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 2009, he received the recognition posthumously alongside the band.