To Live Is To Die: The Life & Death Of Metallica’s Cliff Burton
by Joel McIver

A tribute in words

Fans of Metallica will no doubt already own RC contributor McIver’s comprehensive biography, 2004’s huge-selling Justice For All, so the thought of another near-300 pages on just one of its members – late bassist Cliff Burton – is quite daunting. Thankfully, with a cast of interviewees including musical collaborators, Burton’s long-term girlfriend and contemporaries, a narrative soon appears that more than justifies the project.

Burton’s skill as a bassist was quite remarkable, with the author’s exuberance leading him to declare Cliff as having changed the face of heavy metal itself – a point to be endlessly argued in late night discussions, if nothing else. The interview material includes extensive quotations from Burton’s supportive parents and paints a picture of a huge musical talent with a wide-ranging set of influences from Bach to Lynyrd Skynyrd, a well-liked guy with a thirst for knowledge and beer. The incident in which Burton’s life was prematurely ended is explored to an extent, but the book is about his life more than his death, which is how it should be. Burton’s musical legacy is recorded in three classic Metallica albums – and this lovingly-assembled biography only adds to the legend.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

ISBN 9781906002244, 272 pages

Reviewed by Joe Shooman
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