Had Cliff Burton not been killed in tour bus accident in 1986, today would be his 52nd birthday and Metallica would be a VERY different band. This is the guy who taught Het how to play rhythm guitar and constructed all those epic arrangements on Metallica's first three albums and most of the fourth posthumously. ...and he's the reason I am not a guitar player. Happy birthday to the Master of the 4-String Bass Motherf#cker!
(http://www.paranormalknowledge.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/cliff-burton.jpg)
he once said he swore to become the best bassist he could as a tribute to his younger brother who had died before him. He sure lived up to that. My oldest son has started playing his guitar again, and I've been learning some songs from the first Metallica album. Great stuff.
RIP Cliff...
Cliff Burton--one of the greatest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O9zMnwD65Q