Robert Trujillo (Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne)

Photo courtesy of Metallica Com Photo courtesy of Metallica Com

Photo courtesy of Metallica Com

A master of metal bass, Roberto Agustin Trujillo has distinguished himself on stage and on record with Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society, and Infectious Grooves, among others.

 

Plying his craft with a decidedly funky disposition, Robert varies his tools from traditional four to extended range with deft expertise and purpose.

 

Inspired by James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius, Sly Stone’s Larry Graham and Geezer Butler – Robert is a versatile finger, plectrum, slap player. Though he studied music “formally” Trujillo developed his own code for bass charts and arrangements. Among Robert’s main weapons of choice include Fender Precision, his signature Warwick bass, Zon, and Yamaha instruments.  

 

In addition to his well-earned status as a world-class player, Mr. Trujillo was a major force as co-producer in the creation of the Jaco Pastorius documentary and occasionally plays Jaco’s restored “Bass of Doom” in concert.     

 

 

Robert Trujillo Sound & Vision…

 

Black Label Society: “Demise of Sanity”  https://youtu.be/iNeQz5JVxXI

 

Infectious Grooves “Violently and Funky” https://youtu.be/1f7XwCsx4fs

 

Ozzy Osborne “Gets Me Through” https://youtu.be/2AsLRPzqdpc

 

Metallica

 

“Hard Wired” https://youtu.be/uhBHL3v4d3I

 

“The Day that Never Comes” https://youtu.be/76m2kmsAxhA

 

Metallica & Lou Reed: “Sweet Jane” https://youtu.be/aoyoBUoy6UI

 

Photo courtesy of Metallica Com Photo courtesy of Metallica Com

Photo courtesy of Metallica Com

Cliff Burton (Metallica)

Courtesy of Metallica Com

Cliff Burton was unquestionably among of the most innovative, singular instrumentalists in rock history.

 

He was a natural virtuoso who melded thrash with classical, blues, and jazz. We can only speculate on how the instrument would have evolved had the revolutionary metal master had not been removed from this mortal coil so young – and so tragically.

 

Akin to John Entwistle and Jaco Pastorius, two of Cliff’s influences, Burton profusely purveyed the “lead school” of bass with Metallica.

Utilizing sonically enhanced instruments – Rickenbacker and Aria Pro – wired though guitar amplification gear, Burton’s melodic improvisations were oft enhanced by wah and distortion effects. Hence, many listeners assumed that Cliff’s lines, rendered with a high end resonance, were guitar parts!

 

Burton’s right hand technique was baffling: somehow he was able to play with remarkable fluidity without anchoring his thumb on any part of the bass.

 

Unfortunately, Metallica’s decidedly juvenile behavior in the media early in their career hampered the band’ s acceptance by the rock establishment -which might have been the whole idea in the first place. As such Cliff was never afforded the respect he deserved outside the fervent fan-base of heavy metal and thrash during his lifetime.

 

Every track Cliff recorded with Metallica, including his bass solo composition “Pulling Teeth” (Kill Them All, 1983), and such works as “Orion” (Master of Puppets, 1986) and “Creeping Death” (Ride The Lightening, 1984), are worth exploring .

 

For the definitive history of Cliff Burton and Metallica, be advised to read Joel McIver’s tomes Justice For All: The Truth About Metallica (2014) and To Live Is To Die: The Life and Death of Metallica’s Cliff Burton (2016).

 

Cliff Burton Sound & Vision…

 

“Pulling Teeth” https://youtu.be/GhFMMiTmHb4

 

“For Whom The Bell Tolls” Live https://youtu.be/qdlQyNe_9tE

 

“Seek and Destroy” https://youtu.be/UzdDAd9EBOI

 

“Orion” https://youtu.be/aoO5LYx1Kxc

 

KYBP Adjunct Professor Tony Senatore’s Rendition of “Master of Puppets” https://youtu.be/0vU9-HFQVLY