Though bassist Cliff Burton died in 1986, Metallica frontman James Hetfield reveals that the late bassist nonetheless impacts the band creatively to this present day.

As half of the current Metallica Podcast, a portion of an interview with Hetfield talking about Cliff Burton was shared. In it, he spoke about how he continues to channel Burton when it comes time to make inventive selections in the band.

What James Hetfield Said About Cliff Burton’s Continued Presence

“Cliff still lives in all of us,” defined Hetfield throughout the chat.

“How he lives in me is that I get to channel Cliff [going], ‘What would be really cool right here?’ I do hold him in such high regard that I ask for his help still. I challenge myself, ‘Would Cliff like this?,'” he continued.

“That is a pretty high standard,” remarked Hetfield. “We already have pretty high standards for ourselves, but if I could impress Cliff, it was a good day.”

James Hetfield Reflects on Cliff Burton on The Metallica Podcast

Cliff Burton’s Legacy

Cliff Burton obtained his begin in the Bay Area band Trauma and first obtained seen by Metallica when he performed Los Angeles’ Whisky-a-go-go in 1982. James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich recruited him for Metallica after Ron McGovney’s exit and agreed to maneuver to the Bay Area the place Burton was situated after the bassist balked at the concept of shifting to Los Angeles.

He first appeared on the band’s 1983 Megaforce demo, then was on board for his or her first three studio albums – Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets. He additionally acquired a posthumous writing credit score for “To Live Is to Die” from 1988’s …And Justice for All album.

READ MORE: See 100 Rare + Previously Unseen Metallica Cliff Burton Photos

Burton’s demise occurred on Sept. 27, 1986 whereas Metallica have been out on tour in assist of Master of Puppets in Sweden. Burton was sleeping when the band’s bus skidded off the street and flipped onto the grass close by. The bassist was thrown from his bunk by the window of the automobile which landed on prime of him. He was 24 years outdated.