RichardBurgiwasbornonJuly30,1958,inMontclair,NewJersey(atownroughly15mileswestofNewYorkCity),toamusicalfamily:Hisfatherwasadrummer,hismotherwasasinger,andoneofhisthreesiblingsbecameadrummer.Burgistartedparticipatingincommunitytheaterduringhisyouth;aftergraduatingfromMontclairHighSchool,hetraveledthroughoutEuropeforawhile.