The legacy of Metallica‘s legendary bassist Cliff Burton was celebrated in style yesterday (February 10) in his hometown of Castro Valley, California. Marking what would have been the musician’s 64th birthday, the historic Chabot Theater played host to the ninth annual “Cliff Burton Day.”
The event served as a heartfelt tribute to the man who helped shape the sound of thrash metal. Hosted by radio personality Baby Huey, the night featured intimate stories from the people who knew life on the road with Cliff best.
This year’s celebration paid special attention to the 40th anniversary of the “Damage Inc.” tour. A panel of veteran road crew members—including Eddie Kercher, Big Mick, Bobby Schneider, John Marshall, Howard Ungerleider, Andy Battye, and Aiden Mullen—took the stage to share memories of that era. They were joined by Faith No More drummer Mike Bordin and Bryan Kehoe, offering a rare glimpse into the camaraderie and chaos of Metallica‘s early days.
In addition to the storytelling, the event featured live musical performances by Humma Kavula, Cataclysmic, and Harald Oimoen.
Fans in attendance were able to purchase commemorative t-shirts and posters, with all proceeds going directly to the Cliff Burton Music Scholarship Fund. The charity is dedicated to helping children pursue their own musical ambitions, ensuring Cliff‘s influence continues to inspire the next generation.
“Cliff Burton Day” was officially proclaimed by Alameda County supervisors on February 10, 2018, which would have been Cliff‘s 56th birthday. Since then, it has become an annual tradition for the local community and metalheads worldwide.
Burton famously joined Metallica in 1982 after the band witnessed him performing with his previous group, Trauma. Refusing to move to Los Angeles, Cliff convinced the band to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area—a decision that cemented the region’s status as a thrash metal hub.
During his brief but impactful tenure, Burton performed on the band’s first three seminal albums: Kill ‘Em All, Ride The Lightning, and Master Of Puppets. His songwriting credits include classics like “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” “Fade To Black,” and “Creeping Death.” Tragically, his life was cut short in a tour bus accident in Sweden in 1986.
