James Hetfield, frontman of Metallica , mentions how the late former bassist Cliff Burton influences the band today. During The Metallica Report Podcast , the guitarist explains that he connects with Burton to make creative decisions for the group he leads with Lars Ulrich.
In a podcast, Hetfield says ( via Loudwire ): “Cliff still lives in all of us. The way he lives inside me is the way I connect with Cliff, 'What would look good here?' I have so much regard for him that I still ask him for help. I challenge myself, 'Would Cliff like this?'”
The guitarist cites the band's high standards and mentions his late former colleague again: "We have very high standards, but if I could impress Cliff, that would be a great day."
Check out The Metallica Report episode 61 with James Hetfield:
Cliff Burton's legacy in Metallica
Cliff Burton joined Metallica in 1982, demanding that the band move from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Hetfield and Ulrich complied with the request and expelled bassist Ron McGovney from the group.
With Metallica, Burton recorded the powerful bass lines on the albums Kill 'Em All (1983), Ride The Lightning (1984), Master of Puppets (1986), and received songwriting credits on the instrumental track “To Live is to Die” from …And Justice for All (1988).
In September 1986, during the European tour for Master of Puppets , the bassist was thrown from the band's tour bus, which skidded on an icy and slippery road in Sweden, and died brutally after the group's transport crushed his body.
Check out Metallica and Cliff Burton performing “For Whom The Bell Tolls”:
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