Cliff Burton

Biography

Cliff Burton was an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the heavy metal band Metallica. He joined the band in 1982 and contributed to its debut album, Kill 'Em All, as well as the critically acclaimed follow-ups Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets. Burton was recognized for his innovative "lead bass" technique, which allowed the bass to take on both melodic and rhythmic roles within the band's music. Tragically, he died on September 27, 1986, when the band's tour bus overturned in rural southern Sweden. Burton's influence on the genre and his contributions to Metallica's sound have left a lasting legacy. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Metallica on April 4, 2009.