Metallica marks anniversary of Cliff Burton's death

Photo of Cliff BURTON and METALLICA Fin Costello/Redferns (Fin Costello/Redferns)

By Josh Johnson

September 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm EDT

Metallica is commemorating the anniversary of bassist Cliff Burton's death.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, September 27, the metal legends write, "We miss you, Cliff," alongside a video of a recent performance of the song "Orion."

The instrumental "Orion" appears on Metallica's Master of Puppets album and was largely written by Burton. Following his death, "Orion" became a tribute song to Burton.

Burton played on Metallica's first three albums: 1983's Kill 'Em All, 1984's Ride the Lightning and 1986's Master of Puppets. He died September 27, 1986, in a bus accident. He was 24.

Metallica then recruited Jason Newsted to play bass. After Newsted's departure in 2001, Robert Trujillo joined in 2003 and has remained Metallica's bassist ever since.

On Air

View All

1-877-595-1073

86^°