Rob Bourdon

Early Life

Robert Gregory Bourdon, known as Rob Bourdon, was born in Calabasas, California. From a young age, he received classical piano lessons, but his passion for music truly ignited after attending an Aerosmith concert, where he met drummer Joey Kramer. This encounter inspired him to pursue drumming, and he drew early influences from bands like Tower of Power and Earth, Wind and Fire. Bourdon attended Agoura High School, where he met future bandmates Brad Delson and Mike Shinoda in the jazz band. Before fully committing to music, he worked various jobs, including waiting tables and coordinating parties at a bowling alley, while also studying accounting at Santa Monica College.

Career

Bourdon's musical journey began with the formation of a band called Relative Degree with Brad Delson, which achieved a sell-out concert at the Roxy Theatre before disbanding. In 1996, he joined Delson and Shinoda to form Linkin Park, initially known as Xero. The band skyrocketed to fame with their debut album, "Hybrid Theory," released in 2000, which achieved 12× Platinum status. As Linkin Park's drummer, Bourdon contributed to seven studio albums and numerous international tours. He was also involved in the band's business operations alongside Delson and bassist Dave Farrell. During the production of their sixth album, "The Hunting Party," Bourdon practiced extensively, even injuring his back in the process. After the tragic death of vocalist Chester Bennington in 2017, the band went on hiatus, and Bourdon later chose to distance himself from the group, opting out of promotional activities for their 2024 compilation album, "Papercuts."

Personal Life

Residing in Los Angeles, Bourdon identifies as Jewish. His diverse musical influences range from Led Zeppelin to System of a Down, showcasing his eclectic taste and the depth of his artistic development throughout his career.