Editing Cliff Burton (section)

== Early life ==
Burton was born in [[Castro Valley, California]], to Raymond "Ray" (1925–2020) and Janette "Jan" Burton (1925–1993). He had two elder siblings, Scott (1958–1975) and Connie. Burton's interest in music began when his father introduced him to classical music and began taking piano lessons.

In his teenage years, Burton developed an interest in rock, classical, country and eventually [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]. He began playing the bass at age 13, after the death of his brother, who died from a brain aneurysm.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sevinc |first=Bihter |date=February 17, 2022 |title=The Oath Cliff Burton Dedicated His Life To After Losing His Brother |url=https://rockcelebrities.net/the-oath-cliff-burton-dedicated-his-life-to-after-losing-his-brother/ |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=Rock Celebrities |language=en-US}}</ref> His parents quoted him as saying, "I'm going to be the best bassist for my brother."<ref>{{cite web |author=O., Harald |url=http://www.allmetallica.com/info/interviews/cliffparents.php |title=Interview link |publisher=Allmetallica.com |access-date=December 9, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023054236/http://www.allmetallica.com/info/interviews/cliffparents.php |archive-date=October 23, 2007 }}</ref> He practiced up to six hours per day (even after he joined Metallica). Along with classical and [[jazz]], Burton's other early influences varied from [[Southern rock]] and [[country music|country]] to the [[blues]].<ref name="bass player">{{cite web |url=http://www.bassplayer.com/story.aspx?id=164 |title=The King of Metal Bass |access-date=April 26, 2007 |author=Ellefson, David |date=February 2005 |publisher=Bass Player Magazine }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Burton cited [[Geddy Lee]], [[Geezer Butler]], [[Stanley Clarke]], [[Lemmy Kilmister]], and [[Phil Lynott]] as major influences on his style of bass playing.<ref>{{cite web|title=A rare interview with Metallica's legendary bassist|publisher=Artistwd.com|url=http://www.artistwd.com/joyzine/music/burton/burton.php#.Uvy9Z4VWivk|access-date=February 13, 2014|archive-date=December 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229143354/http://www.artistwd.com/joyzine/music/burton/burton.php#.Uvy9Z4VWivk|url-status=live}}</ref>