Which Metallica bassist died in a tour bus crash in Sweden in 1986?

Cliff Burton was the Metallica bassist who died in a tour-bus crash in Sweden in 1986.

Burton joined Metallica in 1982, replacing the band’s first bassist, Ron McGovney. His approach was unusually melodic and adventurous for thrash metal, combining distortion, classical ideas, harmonics, and prominent bass lines. He also contributed to the songwriting on Metallica’s first three albums.

His playing is especially prominent on “(Anesthesia)—Pulling Teeth” from Kill ’Em All, “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and the instrumental “Orion.” Master of Puppets, released in 1986, was his final Metallica studio album and includes several of his co-writing contributions.

After a concert in Stockholm on September 26, 1986, Metallica’s tour bus crashed near Dörarp in southern Sweden during the journey toward Copenhagen. Burton died on September 27 at age 24. The band subsequently recruited Jason Newsted as his replacement. Metallica later honored Burton through “To Live Is to Die,” an instrumental on ...And Justice for All that incorporates music he had helped create.