Brad Delson

Early Life

Bradford Philip Delson was born and raised in Agoura Hills, California, where he developed a passion for music at a young age. He attended Agoura High School, where he met his future bandmate Mike Shinoda. Initially, Delson played the trumpet but switched to guitar at the age of 12, influenced by iconic bands like Guns N' Roses and Metallica. He formed a rock band called Relative Degree with drummer Rob Bourdon, but the group disbanded after their first live performance. Delson later attended UCLA, majoring in communication studies, and graduated in 1999. During his time at UCLA, he was roommates with bassist Dave Farrell and interned for Jeff Blue, who provided him with valuable insights into the music industry.

Career

In 1996, Delson co-founded Xero, the precursor to Linkin Park, alongside Mike Shinoda and Rob Bourdon. The band later expanded to include vocalist Chester Bennington, bassist Dave Farrell, and turntablist Joe Hahn. Delson played guitar on all eight of Linkin Park's albums and even took on bass duties for their debut album, "Hybrid Theory," when Farrell was unavailable. He was instrumental in shaping the band's sound and co-produced several albums, including "The Hunting Party" and "One More Light." Delson's playing style is characterized by a desire to blend his guitar work with the band's hip-hop and electronic influences, often avoiding traditional guitar solos until encouraged by his bandmates.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Delson married Elisa Boren in September 2003, and they reside in Los Angeles. He is actively involved in philanthropy, having established the Delson Scholarship Fund at UCLA and co-founding Music for Relief, a non-profit organization aimed at aiding disaster victims and combating global warming. Delson is also a supporter of Little Kids Rock, which provides musical instruments and education to underserved children. In 2009, he served as the keynote speaker at UCLA's commencement ceremony, reflecting his commitment to education and community support.