Metallica's Cliff Burton Died 40 Years Ago Today Ghost Cult Magazine

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

“Bass solo, take one.”

September 27, 1986, remains one of the darkest days in Metal history, as we remember Cliff Burton of Metallica, who died on this day 40 years ago. Perishing in the infamous bus crash near Dörarp, Sweden, Cliff’s shadow has only grown larger in the four decades since his death. Metallica continues to pay tribute to Cliff at every concert, and while the band reached heights of fame and success Cliff likely never dreamed of, the loss of their bandmate, friend, and creative force looms over them forever. 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.” Meanwhile, his legacy lives on with the annual Cliff Burton Day, held in his hometown of Castro Valley, California. Metallica will soon celebrate their arguably greatest achievement with Cliff, and maybe Thrash Metal’s greatest album, Master of Puppets, with a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, with Life Burns Faster At The Sphere. Not only leaving a musical legacy, Cliff’s father Ray Burton created a foundation in Cliff’s name that continues donating his royalties to charity. Check out these tributes to Cliff and appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime person and talent. RIP.