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2006 Oct 05 - James on Cliff - Memorial Stone Interview! |
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This interview with James was published in a Swedish newspaper today. Here is a translated version:
- We would never have written guitar harmonies or instrumental songs, or songs with very complicated melodies and orchestrations without Cliff, says James Hetfield of Metallica over the phone from the bands headquarters in San Fransisco.
- We would simply not be where we are today.
Upon the description of the Cliff Burton memorial stone, James gets amazed and very happy.
- Wow. That really shows the engagement and the love that our fans has for our music and the people behind it. Cliff is one of the icons that are not easily forgotten. Apparently some fans that are very devoted have taken the time and strength to create something timeless as a stone to remind people of Cliff. That is truly fantastic.
It was not until this year that Metallica started playing "Orion" live during the spring tour when they performed "Master of puppets" in its entirety.
- It was the highlight in the set for me, says James Hetfield. It is a summary of Cliff, and I cried every time we played it, but it was good tears. I was overwhelmed of gratitude to have been playing in the same band as Cliff, and to have had the opportunity of learning things of him.
 Listen and watch Orion from the 2006 Korea gig here
Right now Metallica are working on material for their 10th album with producer Rick Rubin. On the wall in their headquarters hangs the poster for the gig in Copenhagen where they were heading when the accident hapened. James Hetfield says that Cliff Burton still is present when the band writes songs.
- We talk about what Cliff would think and what he would have contributed. And now, especially with our new basist Rob who plays powerful and with his fingers just as Cliff did, I have a feeling that he likes what we are doing here.
Nobody in the band has been back in Dörarp since the accident, but James Hetfield points out that they should.
- I think that it would do us good, but my relationshop to death is different. I grew up with the religion Christian Science, in which you do not believe in burials. In a way it is incredibly unhealthy to not have closure, some time to mourn. But the thought behind it is to let the person live on within you. I know that Cliff lives on with us.
Will you go to Dörarp to see the memorial stone?
- Definitetly. There is no doubt about that there is something that all of us would like. Not too much regarding the mourning issue, but to see how loved Cliff is.
This is all that James said in the interview, if you want to see the article in its entirety, see this page (swedish): FULL STORY
Cheers!
Cliff In Our Minds
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