Clifford Burton was a musician. He is best remembered as the bassist for the American thrash metal band Metallica. On September 27, 1986 Cliff met his untimely death in an unfortunate road accident. Clifford Burton was a musician. He is best remembered as the bassist for the American thrash metal band Metallica. On September 27, 1986 Cliff met his untimely death in an unfortunate road accident.