Rob Bourdon

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Rob Bourdon
Bourdon with Linkin Park at Rock'n'Heim 2015
Bourdon with Linkin Park at Rock'n'Heim 2015
Background information
Birth nameRobert Gregory Bourdon
Born (1979-01-20) January 20, 1979 (age 45)
Calabasas, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Drummer
Years active1996–present
Member ofLinkin Park
Formerly ofRelative Degree
Websitelinkinpark.com

Robert Gregory Bourdon (born January 20, 1979)[1][2] is an American musician, best known as the drummer and co-founding member of the rock band Linkin Park.[3]

Early life[edit]

Bourdon was born in Calabasas, California.[1] He received classical piano lessons at a young age.[4] He was inspired to play the drums after attending an Aerosmith concert, where he was personally introduced to drummer Joey Kramer.[4][5] He also cites Tower of Power and Earth, Wind and Fire as his early influences.[5] Bourdon attended Agoura High School in Agoura Hills where he met future bandmates Brad Delson and Mike Shinoda, in the high school's jazz band.[5] Bourdon waited tables at a restaurant and worked as a party coordinator at a bowling alley prior to becoming a full-time musician.[6] He attended Santa Monica College where he studied accounting.[6]

Career[edit]

Bourdon and Brad Delson formed their own band, Relative Degree.[5] The band played a sell-out concert at the Roxy Theatre before breaking up.[5]

Bourdon later joined Delson and Mike Shinoda to form Linkin Park, then known as Xero, in 1996.[6] The band enjoyed mainstream success with their debut album Hybrid Theory (2000), which would later go on to become 12× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.[6] Bourdon served as Linkin Park's drummer for seven studio albums and many international tours.[6] Beyond drums and percussion, he also handled the band's business operations with Delson and Dave Farrell.[4] Bourdon injured his back during the production of the band's sixth studio album, The Hunting Party, after playing for 10 hours a day for 7 consecutive days but later recovered.[7] He remained with Linkin Park through 2017, when the band went on hiatus following the death of front man and vocalist Chester Bennington.[8]

Musical influences[edit]

Bourdon's musical influences include Led Zeppelin, Tower of Power, Aerosmith, The Police, Bad Religion, Steely Dan, System of a Down, Incubus, and Dave Matthews Band.[9]

Personal life[edit]

Bourdon resides in Los Angeles.[10] He is Jewish.[11]

Discography[edit]

With Linkin Park[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Quirarte, Xavier (October 24, 2020). "'Hybrid Theory': 20 años de un disco explosivo de Linkin Park". Milenio (in Spanish). Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  2. ^ Spatu, Madan Gupta. "The year ahead". The Tribune (Chandigarh). Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "Rob Bourdon Injured Back During Recording Marathon". World Entertainment News Network. Contactmusic.com. April 30, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Young, Simon (October 23, 2015). "Linkin Park, you're a nu metal boy band. Discuss". Metal Hammer. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Rob Bourdon". Remo.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e David, Fricke (March 14, 2002). "Linkin Park: David Fricke Talks to Chester Bennington About 'Hybrid Theory' Success". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  7. ^ Keeble, Edward (May 1, 2014). "Rob Bourdan Injured After Rocking Too Hard". Gigwise. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  8. ^ Linzinmeir, Taylor (April 23, 2022). "Mike Shinoda — Linkin Park Have 'No Plans' for New Music". Loudwire. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  9. ^ Micallef, Ken (September 2014). "Rob Bourdon" (PDF). Modern Drummer. p. 48. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  10. ^ Micallef, Ken (May 18, 2007). "Rob Bourdon: Midnight Confessions". ModernDrummer.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  11. ^ Chessler, Suzanne (June 18, 2009). "Rothbury Redux". The Detroit Jewish News. University of Michigan. Retrieved December 5, 2022.

External links[edit]