(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Ray Burton, father of late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, passed away last week at the age of 94.

Cliff’s sister, Connie Burton, confirmed the news on Sunday, Jan. 19. In a Facebook post, she wrote, “To let you all know that my Dad died last Wednesday.” Once the Metallica members Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Robert Trujillo, and Kirk Hammett found out, they each posted their own condolences online.

“It is with incredible sorrow that we said farewell to Cliff’s dad Ray Burton last week,” the band’s official statement read. “For 38 years, we were lucky enough to have the energy, wisdom and light of Ray in our lives. His eternal youth with his drive, positivity and relentless smile were both incredibly powerful and stirringly honest. From coast to coast and overseas too, Ray’s beaming face would regularly greet us, offering warmth and anchor to our travels, and when it came to the entire Metallica family, band, crew and fans, he viewed us all as his own.”

Read the full message on Metallica’s official website.