Kirk Hammett, Flemming Rasmussen and Burton’s girlfriend Corinne Lynn were interviewed for author Joel McIver’s new Burton book, ‘To Live Is To Die: the Life And Death Of Metallica’s Cliff Burton’. Read our exclusive excerpt!

Speaking exclusively to Hammer, McIver reveals that he spoke to a stellar cast of Metallica associates for his book. “I’ve been consistently blown away by how willing people have been over the last year or so to help out with Cliff’s story. Any Metallica book has to involve a certain group of 1982-era ‘Bay Area bangers’ — specifically Brian Lew, Ron Quintana and Harald Oimoen — and all those guys were extremely helpful. Fred Cotton of Spastik Children and Gary Holt of Exodus, who were regulars at the infamous ‘Metallica Mansion’ in El Cerrito, gave me some invaluable insights into Cliff’s character, as did Lightning/Puppets producer Flemming Rasmussen and Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel.”

“Ross Halfin did me a huge favour by asking Kirk Hammett to get involved, and Kirk himself showed true class by taking the time to speak to me in the middle of a huge tour. Finally, Cliff’s girlfriend Corinne Lynn was brave enough to revisit the sad day when she heard about his death — perhaps the most profound interview I executed for this book. There are at least another 30 other interviewees who have been consistently awesome, and with the help of all these people I hope I’ve come up with a book which goes some way to honouring Cliff’s memory in the way it deserves.”

Read our exclusive excerpt!

To Live Is To Die: The Life And Death Of Metallica’s Cliff Burton is available in the UK from June 30th and the US on July 1st.