Cliff Burton of Metallica - death being reported on the radio in 1986

I taped this off the radio on the day Cliff Burton died back in 1986. I was 13 years old. The radio station was WRTN from New Rochelle, NY. An awesome underground metal station that came on every Friday night at midnight that me and my brother would always listen to.
I couldn't believe the news. I threw a tape in and started recording so I could play it for my friends the following day. (obviously no internet yet) The tape sat in a tape bag in my parents attic for the next 20+ yrs.
I loved Metallica back then and was deeply upset about Cliff's death. If anything, hearing this tape now I'd like to think it might hold some historical significance and others would like to hear it too. It does for me and it still takes me back to that very night sitting there listening with my brother and hearing the news for the first time in disbelief. It also provides a glimpse back in time, now over 30 years ago, when the news first broke here in the states.
RIP Cliff

[@kieroncraig3594]

Radio voice sounds like lars

[@hockeyflow9100]

but without acsend..

[@TheRealEricMitchell]

Kiwi_91 I thought the same thing!

[@mylovelypets2023]

old It's Electric haa

[@rosiewhitfield123]

Yeah he sure does. I noticed it in the early part of the broadcast. Got to be Danish like Lars sure is 💜

[@WhoisVinnie]

I agree

[@robgomes1262]

cliff burton will never be forgotten.

[@rosiewhitfield123]

Exactly right. Rest up Cliff 😢😢😢😢

[@robgomes1262]

@redlightflash CLIFF BURTON WAS ONE OF THE BEST BASS GUITAR PLAYERS OF HIS TIME his unique. Heavy metal sound.was Unique in itself.. inspired hundreds of thousands if millions bye now included myself to pick up a bass guitar And he also played on Metallica's three successful albums.that still Rock.till this day now play METALLICA'S KILL EM ALL. FIRST album play (Anesthesia Pulling Teeth).Bass solos take ☝ one..and let. CLIFF BURTON tell you himself. THREW HIS AWESOME BASS. Sound . RIP. CLIFF BURTON 1962-1986.Gone but never forgotten

[@larsnilsson8949]

You can say that again! That´s for sure.

[@colenystrom4524]

Rock in peace, Clifford Lee Burton

[@F0ndlzDaKl0wn]

i was on my way to school, everyone was quiet and sad.

[@cvzanikos1]

QIX nowadays kids would be worrying and crying about the broken screen on their phones

[@jordanwhitehouse7726]

HELLASgate7 lol true

[@Notmeunknown123]

True I hate my generation though... I’m 17 and could only dream to experience Cliff play- he’s the whole reason I picked up the bass.

[@padre619]

@@cvzanikos1 now everyone would be crying about a rapper being a dumbass and getting shot

[@THOBOOPLAYZ]

@@cvzanikos1 now they crying bout x

[@brandonceballos4228]

I was 23 years old i remember hearing this on the radio

[@buddymack9606]

Thanks for posting this. It's hard to believe it's been 31 years (tomorrow) since Cliff died. I too recorded on tape the news about Cliff's death off the radio in San Antonio that horrible Saturday night. The news really hit me hard and I didn't know how to deal with it. On some levels, it's still shocking to think about. I have never met Metallica but I was a rabid fan of theirs all through high school in the mid-1980s. We snuck out to see them when they came to SA for Ride the Lightning, and then the next year we partied our asses off after going to the Master of Puppets show. Hell even up until the mid-1990s I still listened to them every day. RIP Cliff, and thanks for all of your music. Many people you never met carry you with them still.

[@bryandiaz7054]

Were you a junior in high school at the time, just curious?

[@buddymack9606]

I had graduated from high school just a few months before Cliff was killed. What about you?

[@anthonygajewski1464]

i was 16 in detroit and remember it well it was stroming the heavens were crying i was woken up to torando sirens and this horrible news.

[@setforglobaldoom]

So fucked up...it feels and sounds like it was yesterday.

[@rtornellort]

Thank you for having the presence of mind to tape this. It's truly a piece of history.

[@johnhadley2179]

I still feel a great sadness. Rest in peace Cliff.

[@Killer0fToast]

Holy shit! this is hella rare, omfg

[@morgancoyan9242]

Listening to this feels like it's happening right now. It gives you goosebumps. Thanks for sharing.

[@embassyhotel]

I was 9 years old & didn't really know that genre of music yet but Cliff & Peter Steele were the reason I picked up a bass guitar.

[@jasonhuntley4203]

their will never be a bad-ass bassist ever to walk on stage with the intensity cliff brought to the table r.i.p cliff gone but never EVER FORGOTTON

[@juanchito26]

I remember listening to the exact same interview....I think the guy's name was Matthew Shoughnessy or something like that....I was about 17 at the time, and had bought Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets....

[@thomasackerly7732]

Juan Sarasky Yes that was name Juan it was at IONA UNIVERSITY NY back then...

[@juanchito26]

I actually heard this interview as it was happening...Live. It was breaking news then, I could not believe it. The actual interview was longer....such a shock...I had just seen them with Ozzy about 4 months before...

[@MechaSandvich]

"To live is to die" RIP Cliff Burton

[@jamesgreener1407]

Cannot the kingdom of salvation take me home

[@sloppiejoe87]

This is so rare! Thank you!

[@mattbermo1958]

The commentator reminds me a lot of Lars. Thanks for uploading this, RIP Cliff

[@TheLordGoat]

I was listening that night as well. Intense.

[@muriloninja]

This is out of this world crazy to hear...'86 recording very fresh news and opinions at the time.

[@tonybp]

Just finished reading Cliff's biography... and I've been watching a lot of Metallica videos from this era. It's very emotional. Metallica is a huge part of my life.

[@TunedIntoCars]

37 years gone, never forgotten. Got to hear Orion open a Metallica show this April in Amsterdam. I lost it...

[@KeithLenn]

I was the first dj to break this news - got a phone call from a friend who had a friend at the scene - I was on the air at the time...WRNP 640 Radio New Paltz

[@boblambert8262]

KeithLenn yeah. ok dude. My dad was there too . shut up your still not cool

[@bubyacobozzi1457]

lies

[@edgy1776]

Bob Lambert Wow youre fucking triggered.

[@picax8398]

KeithLenn new paltz? New york!?

[@jasonpavao1031]

Yeah I call bullshit!!!!!

[@rickkelley4618]

What a great find. Thanks for sharing.

[@iluvpepi]

Thank you for uploading this. I really felt like it was 1986 and I was listening to breaking news. Incredibly sad time and excellent reporting by the host.

[@davidtrevino5211]

Thank you so much for this, priceless for me because most people in my High school didn't find out till Monday morning through word of mouth. First time I'm listening to something official. Obviously no internet back then. Whole school was sad all week. We had just seen him live on June 5th 1986. McAllen, Tx.

[@zerozero7004]

Man I remember hearing this on the radio growing up in the Bronx. Such a sad night!. Midnight Metal was always playing Saturday Nights. I had a bunch of shows recorded on tape. Wish I still had them. Damn this brought chills !

[@dudeman3929]

SlayNYC ---- Shout out to the Bronx, born and raised, still here. I'm born in 83 so too young when this happened but a fan. this was sad shit, must've been crazy to hear when it happened

[@shawnhenschel770]

Thanks for posting this . Cliff was a Great Man & an inspiration to me from when i was young & still to this day! I recently met his father Ray & I can see why Cliff became the the the person we ALL Love & miss . R.I P Brother

[@MRRU-uz7ej]

😢 Rock in peace CLIFF Gone but never ever forgotten... 🥀

[@ModernDayWarrior2112]

Thanks for sharing this. I remember hearing the news. Big loss to the metal world. Cliff was one of a kind.

[@brutal666]

I was listening to RTN when this happened i was so shocked

[@mattbermo1958]

Orion Rahman RTN is the name of the station

[@burnsred2172]

I was on a fishing trip in Canada when Cliff died in that terrible accident I didn't even hear about it until I returned to the States it still has stuck with me to this day I was 16yrs old 😢

[@blueshirttail]

Super cool. Thanks for posting.

[@daveg5528]

Remember this like it was yesterday. It was devastating news at the time.

[@Bloodrunsreddownthenile]

Myself, my sister and all of our friends were devastated when we found out.

[@diego67.5]

This breaks my heart man

[@coalminergroupie]

I cried that day. Long and hard

[@julianlasbaina6781]

KZbin 5 years later: Hey, wanna listen a radio from 1986 talking about Cliff Burton?

[@nothingdotdlmsc381]

this was so shattering to every metal head then

[@getwooked3970]

I played to live is to die in memory of him. Rip cliff god bless you

[@memelord7447]

Cliffs the reason I’m learning to play bass

[@larsnilsson8949]

That Saturday morning, september 27 1986, when I heard the news about the death of Cliff Burton, such a sad day. I was about to go and see the concert in Solnahallen, Stockholm, Sweden, but I had to cancel. My friends saw the show, the last show with Cliff and it was great, they told me. A couple of days later I got the bootleg from Solnahallen and Cliff played great, as always, but it was hard listening to his awesome bass solo and knowing this was his last show ever. That morning, very, very sad day. R.I.P. Cliff!

[@unoeinars746]

RIP Cliff! I miss you so much

[@metalfox146]

33 years ago today. Still too soon

[@yankeesgirl1988]

I’m reading Enter Night...and I just finished reading abt Cliffs death and I’m sitting here sobbing. I wish I could have seen Metallica play when he was still alive. My heart goes out to the band and what they went through.

[@StONed-mb1iv]

I do remember thinking that they were finished.... #gladToBeWrong

[@andrewtucker2782]

feels real and im only 28 years old... man.. r.i.p cliff. Metallica for life

[@jacobt25]

Miss you Cliff!!🤘🏼

[@jordencharles4830]

Bro I wasn’t even born in the 80s wish I could have met this guy

[@guitarsbymetaljay]

Today is the 34th anniversary. RIP Cliff Burton

[@gabifrancis7414]

This is how my dad found out that Cliff passed and I think he said that he was in high school and around this time he got into Metallica was when Cliff passed

[@carolinesmith7390]

So young and so heartbreaking💔

[@andrewsmith4854]

We all love you cliff and you will always be a part of Metallica

[@jeffh.phoenix810]

RIP CLIFF. May God rest his soul.

[@jacobt25]

Rip Cliff love you Man! 🤘🏼 you’ll always be my idol see you soon man!

[@bradyfisher2115]

Rip cliff

[@lostinnevermore5354]

RIP Cliff we miss you we love you still. Forever and a day all my love to you and Ray❤️❤️❤️

[@CrashYitsu]

It's too bad you didn't record more of the show.

[@davidtrevino5211]

CrashYitsu Just enjoy it for what it is. Be Grateful you have this little bit at least.

[@michelegephart2906]

This breaks my heart 💔, Such a tragedy!

[@leopardsammy1306]

I just wish i was born earlier...

[@thomasackerly7732]

I remember listen to the show i tape to have it in my room

[@bdr113080]

I’m guessing this was a collage radio station? They were the only ones playing metal bands in 86.

[@jordencharles4830]

Hold I think the real reason Lars can’t play drums that good is probably from the arthritis in his foot since he broke it.

[@MetallicaFanSandman]

And I’ve always been glad that Metallica never stopped and kept going. Fuck the stupid haters that say Metallica should of stopped after cliff was killed.

[@forentertainment3259]

4:59 "The information you're gonna hear all morning long and all evening long", and all nightmare long.

[@guitarofdestiny]

Cliff was a genius.

[@thomasackerly7732]

Iona University The station was at

[@santoslhalper6116]

It would be nice to hear what Scott Ian had to say

[@davidkriman7763]

La leyendas nunca mueren :'v

[@kadenlangley4884]

There's somthing about cliff that , I don't know it gets to me

[@johnlewis3358]

RIP Cliff

[@josearvizupiceno3092]

Long live to clifford lee Burton

[@dustinstephenson7914]

Rock in heaven

[@ava.sunny.sunny.2380]

I hate how you can hear the man that's talking breathing....... It's kinda annoying... But this video is rare... Hella rare..

[@willwozniak2826]

Is the full interview on here somewhere?

[@brutal666]

kzbin.info/aero/PL38CFDF488EE219C1

[@willwozniak2826]

@@brutal666 thanks man! Keep rocking out on the drums!

[@paulcrosby7419]

Its currently 12:53 eadtern time in the us and its 6;54 in sweden so im sorry everyone cliff burtons been dead for 40 years officially

[@Blackson187]

30

[@paulcrosby7419]

thats what i meant

[@paulcrosby7419]

i was tired

[@dupersuper6516]

*32

[@rosiewhitfield123]

@@dupersuper6516 32 years back in September. My mother had an aggressive cancer at the time Cliff was taken from us. Mum passed away 20th April the following year. Sad 7 months in 86-87.

[@MrStrongbox]

Damn. Could you imagine if John Bush ended being the singer of Metallica? What direction would they have went in?

[@criptonnsite]

2020

[@manuelgioiosa7768]

MAESTRO, ritornaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[@kenousti190]

That reporter sounds like American versio of Lars

[@christianjackson9360]

SAD BUT TRUE, but he'll never be forgotten!!

[@thenamelessone1933]

imagine the band members having to break the news to his parents

[@_Only_Zuul]

is anyone else still alive apart from metallica, who were on that bus in the accident?

[@capo2371]

Cliff is the bass teacher of God now

[@LSweet2007]

I didn't know Lars broke his foot? 🤔

[@paulgraves1392]

Considering that this was pre-internet years, it could be a case of misreporting. Remember that the host is only going off calls that he had received about this. The implication i get is that this was not a major story in mainstream news, but was in the underground metal scene hence why the host is struggling to get the information he needs to report on.

[@rosiewhitfield123]

I did. Brought the book called Enter night Metallica the biography written by Mick Wall. Have read over halfway through. Poor Lars hobbling about.

[@willwozniak2826]

Broke his toe.

[@DrLuke49]

This video is the best. I just cannot upvote the death of Cliff Burton.

[@l04d83]

Why does the Universe have a tendency to kill all the talented people and leave the others on Earth

[@ABlazeintheNorthernSky]

Because life on earth is full of temptation, and the ones that go away too soon are the ones that are truly special.

[@LukeBlazevic]

Should’ve been the bus driver

[@colenystrom4524]

0:36 we're just gonna let you know, uh, run over it-" Really. What the fuck. "run over it"? That could be taken wrong lmao

[@reccos2412]

People died everyday

[@bonzilla6397]

They gave him up for sacrifice. I see all the symbolatry. It's all there.

[@ThefirstPirate]

What the fuck?

[@Gringoloco145]

bonzilla63 we should give you up for sacrifice.

[@spacecase7504]

Mustaines black magic back fires.

[@amythatcher4601]

the actual fuck???

[@amythatcher4601]

The Real Eric Mitchell forget about her she's a religious freak