Entertainment

Late Metallica bassist honored in California community

11 of February 2018

This photo provided by Alameda County, shows Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan presenting a Cliff Burton Day proclamation to Robert Souza, who led a petition drive that led to the board's declaration. Supervisors in Alameda County named Feb. 10 Cliff Burton Day, in honor of the late bassist of Metallica who was born in Castro Valley south of Oakland. Burton was 24 when he was killed in a bus accident in 1986. He would've turned 56 on Saturday. (Courtesy of Alameda County),This photo provided by Alameda County, shows Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan presenting a Cliff Burton Day proclamation to Robert Souza, who led a petition drive that led to the board's declaration. Supervisors in Alameda County named Feb. 10 Cliff Burton Day, in honor of the late bassist of Metallica who was born in Castro Valley south of Oakland. Burton was 24 when he was killed in a bus accident in 1986. He would've turned 56 on Saturday. (Courtesy of Alameda County)

A heavy metal hero is being celebrated in the San Francisco Bay Area community where he grew up. Supervisors in Alameda County named Feb. 10 Cliff Burton Day, in honor of the late bassist of Metallica who was born in Castro Valley south of Oakland. Burton was 24 when he was killed in a bus accident in 1986. He would've turned 56 on Saturday. Burton's 93-year-old father, Ray, told supervisors that his son would've had a huge smile on his face about receiving the proclamation.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A heavy metal hero is being celebrated in the San Francisco Bay Area community where he grew up.

Supervisors in Alameda County named Feb. 10 Cliff Burton Day, in honor of the late bassist of Metallica who was born in Castro Valley south of Oakland.

Burton was 24 when he was killed in a bus accident in 1986. He would’ve turned 56 on Saturday.

The designation came after Metallica fan Robert Souza started an online petition to get officials to recognize Burton. It got 5,600 signatures.

Burton’s 93-year-old father, Ray, told supervisors that his son would’ve had a huge smile on his face about receiving the proclamation.

Burton played on Metallica’s first three albums. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Metallica in 2009.