It was an American music tragedy when Metallica's tour bus flipped and Cliff Burton was killed at the young age of 24. He won the right to sleep in the bunk, considered the most comfortable on the bus, in a game of chance. Never play with chance if you're a musician on the road, just ask Richie Valens.
Burton was, as the lion-like James Hetfield will attest, responsible for the look and feel of the early Metallica, which was influenced by his interests in H.P. Lovecraft, George Romero movies, and The Misfits. He was an energetic, long haired rock icon with sleepy eyes, an appealing smirk, and killer bass soloist.
Plus, we share a birthdate.
But what do you think?