News : Former Metallica Bassist Jason Newsted Pays Tribute to Cliff Burton

Jason Newsted has honoured former Metallica bassist Cliff Burton on the 40th anniversary of his death.

Burton was 24 when he died in a tour bus crash in Sweden on September 27, 1986.

Newsted, who joined Metallica the following month, said Burton had a natural ability that few musicians could match.

“Cliff could wake up and do it. James [Hetfield] could wake up after how many ever beers and do it. Just wake up 10 minutes out of bed and play as good as I could after working for five hours to get to that spot,” he told Heavy Consequence.

He also likened Burton to Primus bassist Les Claypool, saying both had become remarkable players while still teenagers.

“By the time [Burton’s] 16, 17, pretty, pretty goddamn good already. Same as Les [Claypool]… They’re the same age and the same deal and live some miles from each other, same trip, both those cats in that way. By the time they’re 17… they are… already there,” Newsted said.

Newsted recalled how much James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich wanted Burton in Metallica. They were willing to move to make it happen, even before the band had recorded an album.

“James and Lars, who are also very exceptionally talented people, recognised it so strongly that they moved their lives to be just in a band with the guy before they even made a f****** record… He was that f****** good,” he said.

Newsted also remembered watching Burton perform in 1985 and feeling both motivated and daunted by what he saw.

“From a bassist fan player person, I saw him play in 1985… a year and a little bit before he died… It was like, why do you even f****** bother? Here’s the firewood. Let me get that for you. Maybe if I try really hard, I could be a tenth of as good as that… I think ultimately it was inspiring, and made me want to try harder, but it was intimidating as f*** the whole time,” he recalled.

Four decades on, Newsted said he is glad Burton’s contribution to metal continues to be recognised.

“I think that what I like the most or what I really appreciate is how everyone continues to show such respect for his efforts, because they were so fantastical in his brief span,” he added.

Newsted left Metallica in 2001, citing “private and personal reasons and the physical damage I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love.”

The Ride The Lightning band continues to tour around the world with Robert Trujillo on bass.