Cliff Burton Day officially launched to honor late Metallica bassist

February 7, 2018

Cliff Burton Day, now an official day of observance in late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton's hometown of Castro Valley, California, is set for Feb. 10. A regional board proclaimed the holiday in an edict last week, as shared by the band on Twitter. See the proclamation in Metallica's post below.

“It's official! The Board of Supervisors from Alameda County has just proclaimed February 10, 2018, which would have been Cliff's 56th birthday, Cliff Burton Day,” Metallica announced on Tuesday, posting an image of the official document. Burton was born in Castro Valley in 1962, joining Metallica on bass in 1982 and performing on their first three studio albums, Kill 'Em All, Ride The Lightning and Master Of Puppets. The musician tragically died in a 1986 tour bus accident while traveling with the band in Sweden.

As previously reported, Metallica fans organized a Change.org petition earlier this year to give Burton his own holiday, amassing over 5,000 online signatures. Blabbermouth reports that Robert Souza, who organized the petition, was instrumental in advising the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council on declaring the official Cliff Burton Day.

According to California news source ABC 7, the Municipal Advisory Council voted 7-0 in favor of creating the Cliff Burton Day, with their vote then forwarding the resolution on to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, who proclaimed the official holiday on Tuesday, Feb. 6, as noted above.

“Thanks to all of the fans who got behind this initiative,” the band added. “We love that he remains so revered”

IT’S OFFICIAL! The Board of Supervisors from Alameda County has just proclaimed February 10, 2018, which would have been Cliff’s 56th birthday, “Cliff Burton Day.” Thanks to all of the fans who got behind this initiative. We love that he remains so revered. pic.twitter.com/Qxy0yFptSS

— Metallica (@Metallica) February 6, 2018