Name	Les Claypool
Height
Naionality
Date of Birth	September 29, 1963
Place of Birth	Richmond, California, U.S.
Famous for

Claypool was born September 29, 1963 in Richmond, California, but was raised in El Sobrante, California in a working class family with a history of working as auto mechanics. His early education included Collins Elementary School and De Anza High School. Les' parents divorced when he was a young child, but he says that he had a decent childhood, citing that he was never abused or severely bullied.

Claypool was able to develop his slap technique through listening to players like Stanley Clarke and Larry Graham. He also bought his first Carl Thompson bass, his trademark four string bass. (He now owns seven, including a multi-wood fretless 6-string called the Rainbow Bass.)

In 1986, after the death of Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, Claypool auditioned to play bass for Metallica, playing the song "Master of Puppets" on his bass. In Metallica's Behind the Music, Claypool said that during the audition he jokingly asked the others if they wanted to "jam on some Isley Brothers tunes." James Hetfield remarked that Claypool was not awarded the job because "he was too good".

He also went to high school with Kirk Hammett.