Richness of Content: As heavy metal writer Joel McIver states in his latest biography, it's amazing that nobody's ever written a book about arguably the most influential bassists in metal history. Cliff Burton has been cited as an influence to just about every bassist in the genre today, and so Joel decided to write the first ever in depth story about the life, and tragic end, of Metallica's Cliff Burton.
The book itself is divided into 15 chapters, with the first two discussing Cliff's life in San Fransisco while learning to play the bass as well as his short time spent in his first band Trauma before joining Metallica in 1983. Fellow bandmate Kirk Hammett provides the forward, and this early section of the biography contains great interviews with Burton's parents Ray and Jan Burton, as well as his old bass teacher Steve Doherty, Who all comment on Cliff's vigorous practicing of up to 6 hours a day, as well as having a great musical and literary knowledge at such a young age.
Chapters 3 through 11 focus on the all too short time Cliff Burton was in Metallica. The book devotes about 2 chapters each to the Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets era of Metallica, with great interviews from the rest of the band, as well as friends of Cliff's and other famous bassists in today's metal. Joel McIver talks about the recording process of the three albums as well as funny anecdotes while the band were on tour, and McIver even devotes an entire chapter each for the three albums and the role Cliff played in each song. Throughout these chapters, there is more talk of Cliff's quiet, funny, down to earth personality, as well as his influence within the band by teaching the band members much more about musical theory and harmonies, which any listener can tell you played a gigantic role in Metallica's second and third album, and for the rest of their careers.
The third and final part of the book of course talks about Cliff's tragic death on September 27th 1986, after the band's tourbus flipped over while on a road near Ljunby, Sweden. McIver talks in great detail, thanks to the people Who were on that very tourbus, of just how exactly the crash happened, and how it was almost Kirk Hammett Who died. The next chapter talks of the aftermath of the accident, featuring the reactions of many people close to Cliff when they heard the news that a true music icon, their friend, had died. The author also shows, in vivid detail, just how deeply the band was affected by Cliff's death. To Live Is To Die describes the hazing endured by Jason Newsted after he joined the band, and of how, to this day, Cliff will always Live on inside Metallica.
The book ends with the story of Cliff's legacy, with touching stories from James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich. You can't deny the impact Cliff Burton had on metal, from his simply amazing solos and beautiful harmonies to his always remembered headbanging and bellbottom jeans. The book ends with this truly beautiful passage:
"Cliff Burton's music will always be there for those Who need it. Musicians Live on through their music, and in that sense Cliff will never die". // 10
Style: Joel McIver writes in a very unique style. While the words are simple and the writing not all that complex, he has the ability to make both hardcore fans and non-Metallica fans fall in love with this truly amazing bassist Who helped shape his genre. The biography even includes a glossary to help non-metalheads out with some of the more confusing music terms, some great interviews by just about everybody close to Cliff Burton (with a full Who's Who list at the end of the biography) as well as featuring a selection of great photos of Cliff, from the Kill 'Em All days right up until the end. // 10
Impression: To Live Is To Die: The Life and Death of Metallica's Cliff Burton is the definitive Cliff Burton book. It weaves through the all too short life of this truly amazing man. Any fan of Cliff, Metallica or bass guitar should pick up a copy of this truly great biography. Joel McIver leaves nothing out, and gets right to the point about the life, The Music, the man, and the death, of the greatist metal bassist Who ever lived: Cliff Burton.
"When a man lies he murders
some part of the world.
These are the pale deaths which
men miscall their lives.
All this I cannot bear
to witness any longer.
Cannot the kingdom of salvation
take me home"
These are the pale deaths,
R.I.P. Cliff Burton (February 10th 1962 - September 27th 1986) // 10
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