Brad Delson Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Linkin Park, Guitar, Albums

Brad Delson is an American musician, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Linkin Park.

Recognized for his distinctive guitar riffs and contributions to the band’s nu-metal and alternative rock sound, he also served as an A&R representative and co-managed business operations for the band.

Profile

• Full Name: Bradford Phillip Delson
• Stage Name: Brad Delson, Big Bad Brad
• Born: December 1, 1977
• Age: 47 years old
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American Musician, Guitarist, Record Producer, and A&R Representative
• Height: 6 feet
• Parents: Mr and Mrs Delson
• Siblings: Greg Delson (brother)
• Spouse: Elisa Boren Delson (m. 2003)
• Children: 3, Jonah Delson, Noa Delson, Evan Delson
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $25 million to $45 million

Early Life and Education

Bradford Phillip Delson was born on December 1, 1977, in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Agoura Hills in a Jewish family of Ashkenazi descent. Little is known about his parents, but he has a brother, Greg Delson.

Growing up, he was influenced by rock and metal bands like Metallica and Guns N’ Roses, sparking his interest in guitar. He began playing guitar in his teens, jamming with friends at Agoura High School, where he met future Linkin Park bandmates Mike Shinoda and Rob Bourdon.

At 13, he attended his first concert, Metallica and Guns N’ Roses, which solidified his passion for music.

Delson graduated from Agoura High School in 1995 and enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies in 1999 with a 3.8 GPA. During college, he interned at Zomba Music Publishing and worked as a bouncer at The Roxy Theatre, where he met Chester Bennington, later recruiting him for Linkin Park. His academic background and early industry experience shaped his role as the band’s business manager.

Career

Delson co-founded Linkin Park (initially Xero) in 1996 with Mike Shinoda and Rob Bourdon, serving as lead guitarist. The band, later joined by Joe Hahn, Dave Farrell, and Chester Bennington, released their debut album Hybrid Theory (2000), which sold over 30 million copies worldwide, featuring hits like In the End and Crawling.

Delson’s guitar work, characterized by heavy riffs and melodic leads, defined albums like Meteora (2003), Minutes to Midnight (2007), A Thousand Suns (2010), Living Things (2012), The Hunting Party (2014), and One More Light (2017).

He also played keyboards and provided backing vocals, contributing to production on albums like Meteora and The Hunting Party. Delson co-managed Linkin Park’s business operations with Bourdon and Farrell and served as an A&R representative for Machine Shop Recordings, founded with the band in 2001.

He produced tracks for artists like Busta Rhymes and co-wrote Numb/Encore for the Collision Course EP (2004) with Jay-Z. After Chester Bennington died in 2017, Delson contributed to Mike Shinoda’s Post Traumatic (2018) and remained with Linkin Park through its 2024 reformation, welcoming new members Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain for the album From Zero and single The Emptiness Machine.

He also collaborated on Reanimation (2002) and Recharged (2013) remix albums. Outside of music, Delson invested in real estate, including a $3.9 million Calabasas home in 2017.

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 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 Delson as a key member.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @braddelson
• Twitter Handle: @braddelson

Personal Life

Brad Delson, resides in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, Elisa Boren Delson, whom he married on September 16, 2003. They have three children: Jonah, Noa, and Evan.

Known for his signature backwards baseball cap and large headphones during performances, Delson is private about his personal life. He is an avid basketball fan, supporting the Los Angeles Lakers, and enjoys playing the sport in his spare time.

Of Jewish descent, he incorporates cultural influences into his life but does not emphasize religion publicly. Delson is involved in philanthropy through Linkin Park’s Music for Relief, supporting disaster relief and environmental causes.

Fans on X celebrated his continued role in Linkin Park’s 2024 reformation, appreciating his loyalty to the band’s legacy. No major controversies are associated with him, and he maintains a low-key, family-oriented lifestyle.

Filmography

• Linkin Park: From a Whisper to a Scream (documentary) – Himself
• King of the Hill (2008) – Cameo as himself (TV series, 1 episode) Note: Delson’s filmography is limited to band-related 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)
• From Zero (2024) – Includes The Emptiness Machine
• Contributed to Mike Shinoda’s Post Traumatic (2018).

Net Worth

Brad Delson’s net worth is estimated at $25 million to $45 million. His wealth comes from Linkin Park’s global album sales (over 70 million), international tours, merchandise, and his role in Machine Shop Recordings. Real estate investments, including a $3.9 million Calabasas home, contribute to his wealth.