Rob Bourdon Biography: Age, Net Worth, Linkin Park, Drums, Height, Wife, Awards

Rob Bourdon is an American musician, best known as a co-founding member and former drummer of the rock band Linkin Park.

His drumming blended rock, metal, and hip-hop, contributing to the band’s genre-defying sound until his departure between 2022 and 2024.

Profile

• Full Name: Robert Gregory Bourdon
• Stage Name: Rob Bourdon
• Born: January 20, 1979
• Age: 46 years old
• Birthplace: Calabasas, California, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Musician, Drummer
• Height: 6 feet 3
• Parents: Gregory Bourdon (father), and Patty Bourdon (mother)
• Siblings: Dave Bourdon (brother)
• Spouse: Not Married
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $20 million to $30 million

Early Life and Education

Robert Gregory Bourdon was born on January 20, 1979, in Calabasas, California, to Gregory and Patty Bourdon. Of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, he grew up in a musically inclined environment in Agoura Hills, California.

His mother’s friendship with Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer sparked his interest in drumming after meeting Kramer backstage at an Aerosmith concert in fourth grade, where he received a kick pedal. Bourdon began classical piano lessons at age six but switched to drums at 12 after starting lessons.

By age eight or nine, he and his brother Dave played along to Aerosmith and Faith No More on their parents’ couch with drumsticks. He attended Agoura High School, where he met future Linkin Park bandmates Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson in the jazz band. He also crossed paths with members of Hoobastank.

Bourdon later attended Santa Monica College but did not complete a degree, focusing instead on his music career. Before fame, he worked as a waiter and party coordinator at a bowling alley.

Career

Bourdon’s music career began in sixth grade with a band called No Clue, later renamed Physical Evidence, playing cover songs at backyard parties. In 10th grade, he joined the band Karma, where he bonded with Shinoda and Delson, forming Relative Degree, which performed a sell-out show at the Roxy Theatre before disbanding.

In 1996, Bourdon co-founded Xero, the precursor to Linkin Park, with Shinoda and Delson. After struggles, the band, renamed Linkin Park with the addition of Chester Bennington, released Hybrid Theory (2000), a 12× Platinum album with hits like In the End and Crawling.

Bourdon drummed on all seven Linkin Park studio albums, including Meteora (2003), Minutes to Midnight (2007), A Thousand Suns (2010), Living Things (2012), The Hunting Party (2014), and One More Light (2017), with standout performances on tracks like Powerless and Keys to the Kingdom. He also handled business operations with Delson and Dave Farrell.

After Chester Bennington’s death in 2017, Linkin Park went on hiatus, and Bourdon contributed drums to Mike Shinoda’s Post Traumatic (2018) track Place to Start. He remained involved with the band until at least mid-2022 but distanced himself, missing promotions for Hybrid Theory 20 and Papercuts.

In 2024, Linkin Park reformed with new drummer Colin Brittain, confirming Bourdon’s exit. His influences include Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Tower of Power.

Awards and Nominations

• Grammy Awards: • 2002: Won Best Hard Rock Performance for Crawling (Linkin Park). • 2006: Won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for Numb/Encore (Linkin Park and Jay-Z). • Nominated six times total for various Linkin Park projects.
• MTV Europe Music Awards: Linkin Park won 10 awards, including Best Rock Act (multiple years).
• American Music Awards: Linkin Park won six awards for Favorite Artist Alternative Rock.
• World Music Awards: Linkin Park won three awards. Note: Awards reflect Linkin Park’s collective achievements, with Bourdon as a key member.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @robbourdon

Personal Life

Rob Bourdon, resides in Los Angeles, California, and maintains a low profile. He is single, with no confirmed current relationships, spouse, or children. Past relationships include actress Vanessa Lee Evigan (2001–2007), model Irina Shayk (2007–2009), and a rumored brief romance with actress Shiri Appleby.

His private nature limits details about his personal aspirations, but he enjoys surfing and playing piano, though he never incorporated piano into Linkin Park’s music. Bourdon’s hobbies also include appreciating nature, and he is known for wearing racing shoes during performances for better drum pedal control.

His favorite Linkin Park songs to perform include In the End, Tinfoil, and The Little Things Give You Away. He faced a back injury during the production of The Hunting Party but recovered.

Fans on X expressed disappointment over his absence from Linkin Park’s 2024 reformation, wishing him well on his personal journey. No major controversies are associated with him.

Filmography

• Linkin Park: From a Whisper to a Scream (documentary) – Himself
• Dark as Day (unverified, likely a promotional appearance)

Note: Bourdon’s filmography is limited to band-related documentaries or minor appearances.

Discography

• Hybrid Theory (2000)
• Reanimation (2002, remix album)
• Meteora (2003)
• Collision Course (2004, with Jay-Z)
• Minutes to Midnight (2007)
• A Thousand Suns (2010)
• Living Things (2012)
• Recharged (2013, remix album)
• The Hunting Party (2014)
• One More Light (2017)
• Contributed drums to Place to Start on Mike Shinoda’s Post Traumatic (2018).

Net Worth

Rob Bourdon’s net worth is estimated at $20 million to 30 million. His wealth primarily comes from Linkin Park’s global album sales (over 70 million), international tours, and merchandise. Sources vary, with estimates like $20 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2017) and $5–10 million (Wikispro, 2020), but higher figures account for ongoing royalties and assets.