A former NASCAR driver from South Boston, VA. Among his accomplishments, Ward won both the Daytona 500 and the Southern 500. A little-known fact is that, when poised to do a shot of Jaegermeister, one is well-informed to toast Ward Burton. The avid hunter or fisherman would benefit from checking out www.twbwf.org
by waitsfan75 April 26, 2006
Cliff Burton was the most amazingly talented bassist of all time. He often merged bass playing with electric guitar playing using a wah-wah pedal. Cliff was born in San Francisco on February 10, 1962 to Jan and Ray Burton. He grew a liking for The Misfits, Mexican food, and H.P. Lovecraft. He owned a green station wagon that he often drove around the bay area with friends in, with The Misfits blasting out the windows. Cliff was a cool, laid-back guy who didn't mind going out of his way to talk to his fans. He started out playing bass for bands such as Trauma and Agents of Misfortune, and was known for his headbanging and wild stage presence. Cliff was soon discovered by Metallica, and that was when he replaced Ron McGovney and got his own place in the band, but he would only join if Metallica moved to San Francisco, which they did. Cliff's greatest masterpieces are (Anesthesia)-Pulling Teeth, The Call of Ktulu, and Orion. His career with Metallica was going great, but tragedy came with his death during a tour bus accident on September 27th, 1986. The band was on their way to Denmark when the bus supposedly slipped on a patch of ice and turned onto its side beside the road. Lars Ulrich (drums) had broken a toe and Kirk Hammett (lead guitar) had a black eye, but worst of all, Cliff had apparently been thrown off of his bunk-bed and halfway out the window, and then the bus crushed him when it had turned over. The rest of the guys, who were having a hard time coping with the tragedy, were brought to a hotel until they returned back to America a couple days later. Cliff's ashes were spread at Maxwell Ranch, a ranch where he spent a lot of his time. In 1987, a documentary of performances, interviews, and footage of the guys just having a good time called Cliff 'em All was released as a tribute to Cliff. Metallica found a new bassist (Jason Newsted) and on their next album (...And Justice For All) is a song that Cliff had written called To Live is to Die that also includes some riffs that he had written as well. Cliff Burton will forever remain in the hearts of many as the greatest bassist of all time.
by 62Orion86 June 27, 2005
Simply one of the best guitarists ever, "Master of the Telecaster". Born in Louisiana in 1939, Burton got his start by playing in the house band of the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport at the age of 14. Within his 50+ year career he has worked with everyone in the business including Ricky Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and yes the King himself, Mr. Elvis Presley from '69 to his death in '77.
He is an absolute pioneer of rock, country, and blues guitar, developing chicken pickin' and being the first to use light gauge strings so he could do wild bends.
He is considered the "Guitar Heroe's Guitar Hero" and was Elvis' favorite guitar player.
He is an absolute pioneer of rock, country, and blues guitar, developing chicken pickin' and being the first to use light gauge strings so he could do wild bends.
He is considered the "Guitar Heroe's Guitar Hero" and was Elvis' favorite guitar player.
by TCBfan April 22, 2009
A great bass player and was in Metallica. He sadly died in September 1986 in a bus crash, while sleeping in his bunk on tour. His last album was "Master of Puppets".
by Katrina December 25, 2003
The Jimi Hendrix of bass guitar. Born February 10th, 1962 in Castro Valley, California. He was the bassist of Metallica from 1982 to 1986.
Metallica's first album Kill 'em All contained songs already composed before Cliff had joined, but his influence would become heavy on the band's later albums. Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, which were landmarks in the heavy metal genre, both contained songs that were composed and polished to the level of commercial and critical success.
Alas, just like Hendrix, he died young. On September 27th, 1986, during a tour bus ride in rural Sweden, the bus slipped on black ice, causing the bus to overturn, and Cliff was crushed twice, killing him. Since then, the band has had two new bassists, Jason Newsted in 1986, and Robert Trujillo in 2003.
Metallica's first album Kill 'em All contained songs already composed before Cliff had joined, but his influence would become heavy on the band's later albums. Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, which were landmarks in the heavy metal genre, both contained songs that were composed and polished to the level of commercial and critical success.
Alas, just like Hendrix, he died young. On September 27th, 1986, during a tour bus ride in rural Sweden, the bus slipped on black ice, causing the bus to overturn, and Cliff was crushed twice, killing him. Since then, the band has had two new bassists, Jason Newsted in 1986, and Robert Trujillo in 2003.
You should hear Cliff Burton's skills on (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth, on the intro of For Whom The Bell Tolls (Yes, it is actually Cliff's bass playing), and on the instrumental Orion.
RIP Cliff Burton
February 10th, 1962 - September 27th, 1986
Cannot the kingdom of salvation
Take me home
RIP Cliff Burton
February 10th, 1962 - September 27th, 1986
Cannot the kingdom of salvation
Take me home
by Billy The Man February 17, 2008
by ILoveThom'sChickenDance November 15, 2003
by UWUD December 28, 2012