Following a change.org petition started by fans of Metallica, the Alameda County, California board of supervisors have named February 10, 2018 Cliff Burton day in the County. The proclamation lays out Burton's contribution to the arts as the reason for the honor. Metallica released a statement: "IT’S OFFICIAL! The Board of Supervisors from Alameda County has just proclaimed February 10, 2018, which would have been Cliff’s 56th birthday, “Cliff Burton Day.” As many of you know, Cliff was born and raised in Castro Valley and was the reason we high-tailed it to the Bay Area back in ’83. Thanks to all of the fans who got behind this initiative and we’d like to send our appreciation and respect to all of you who continue to honor Cliff in your own personal ways. We love that he remains so revered." Burton played bass on Metallica's first three albums before dying a tour bus crash in 1986.