For Jason Newsted solo band, see newsted. Jason Curtis Newsted (born March 4, 1963 in Battle Creek, Michigan) is an American bass guitarist a member of Voivod and Supernova, but is best known as a former member of the metal band Metallica. Jason left Flotsam And jetsam to take on full duties as the Bassist for Metallica, replacing the oft lamented Cliff Burton in 1986 after a tragic accident on their tour bus threw Cliff out the window and onto the road where he was then crushed when the bus flipped on top of his body. Founding members of the .