Jason Newsted Recalls Joining Metallica After Cliff Burton
Jason Newsted has reflected on the difficult timing of stepping into Metallica following the 1986 death of bassist Cliff Burton, saying the band had little chance to process the tragedy before returning to work. In a recent radio interview, Newsted described entering an environment defined by grief, anger, and shock while he was simultaneously trying to seize what he viewed as a career-defining opportunity.
Newsted said Metallica were “never given any time to feel it or process it,” recalling that he was playing through Burton’s equipment within weeks of the funeral arrangements. Newsted told Loudwire Nights it was “maybe 20 days after the ashes were spread” when he found himself “playing on Cliff’s amp,” as the group resumed commitments despite being in their early 20s.
While Newsted said he felt “the happiest” he had ever been to land the role, he added that his mood clashed sharply with his new bandmates’ state of mind. He characterised the remaining members as “collectively depressed, filled with anger and anguish,” and said they “couldn’t comprehend what had happened,” making his first stretch with the group a psychological balancing act as he tried to keep his “chin up” and support them.
Newsted also argued that Burton’s death left Metallica without a key guiding force, saying that at the time “nothing happened unless Cliff said so.” He suggested the band’s attempts to push forward included unhealthy coping in the immediate aftermath, claiming the weeks following the crash were marked by efforts to numb the pain while the reality of the loss was still sinking in. The remarks add context to later tensions during Newsted’s tenure, a period that has remained a point of debate among fans and the band’s inner circle, including Lars Ulrich’s reported frustrations with Newsted.
Newsted’s comments underline how quickly Metallica’s momentum forced major decisions after Burton’s death, with a new member expected to perform under extreme circumstances. Decades on, his recollections continue to shape the public understanding of the band’s transition period and the emotional toll surrounding one of metal’s most infamous losses.
