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Benjamin J. Burnley IV
Burnley performing in February 2009
Burnley performing in February 2009
BornMarch 10, 1978 (1978-03-10) (age 46)
Ocean City, New Jersey
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
Years active1998–present
Known forBreaking Benjamin
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[1][2]
SpouseRhiannon Napier née (m. 2014)
ChildrenBenjamin Jackson Burnley V
Musical career
Instrument(s)Guitar, bongo drum

Benjamin Jackson Burnley IV (born March 10, 1978) is an American musician, composer, and producer, best known as the founder and frontman of the rock band Breaking Benjamin. As the sole constant of the group, Burnley has served as its principal songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist since its inception in 1998. Since signing with Hollywood Records in 2002, Burnley has composed four studio albums under the name Breaking Benjamin, two of which have reached platinum and one of which has reached gold in the United States.[3] Outside of Breaking Benjamin, Burnley has also collaborated with acts such as Adam Gontier[4] and Red.[5]

Burnley's lyrical content frequently and most recently consists of cryptic, angst-pervaded themes that "waffle between being plaintive and aggressive", with an "innocuous voice that is crystal clear ... fluctuating between contemplative subjectivity and growling anger."[6] Burnley uses baritone guitars and drop tunings to match the range of his voice.[7]

Early life and development of Breaking Benjamin

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Burnley was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania[1] to Sydnee Burnley, the sister of Benjamin Jackson "B.J." Burnley III, for whom the singer is named.[8] He grew up in New Jersey before moving to Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania when he was 12.[9][10] Burnley "wasn't really into music" during this time, describing that, "I'd just see Twisted Sister and all that '80s shit ... I couldn't even fathom why people got into bands." However, Burnley was eventually introduced to Nirvana. He added, "I'd never heard anything like 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' ... That band opened my mind completely."[10] At age 14, Burnley began teaching himself how to play guitar by listening to Nirvana's Nevermind,[11] and now credits them as the "one and only band" responsible for his career.[12]

Burnley began his career as a solo cover musician. The name Breaking Benjamin emerged when one night, while covering a Nirvana song, Burnley knocked over the microphone and broke it. The owner of the microphone later said, "Thanks to Benjamin for breaking my fucking mic."[13] Burnley was eventually joined by guitarist and high school friend Aaron Fink, bassist Nick Hoover, and drummer Chris Lightcap, though soon thereafter disbanded and moved to California to record and perform music on his own. After returning to Pennsylvania in 1999, Burnley formed Plan 9 with drummer Jeremy Hummel and bassist Jason Davoli (though Davoli was later replaced by Jonathan "Bug" Price).[1][14] The band was later re-christened as Breaking Benjamin when Burnley said during a performance, "Thank you, we're Breaking Benjamin."[15] Aaron Fink later returned to Breaking Benjamin, along with Mark Klepaski who replaced Price on bass.[16]

Breakthrough and mainstream tenure

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Breaking Benjamin first gained significant attention when Freddie Fabbri, a local radio personality, aired the track "Polyamorous". After it became the number one requested track on his station,[17] Fabbri financed the recording of the group's eponymous EP, which sold all 2,000 copies that were printed in 2001.[11] In March 2002, over a dozen record companies visited a two-night showcase where Breaking Benjamin was playing, and the group subsequently signed with Hollywood Records,[17] with whom they would embark on an initial seven-year mainstream tenure.

Burnley began composing the band's debut record Saturate alongside producer Ulrich Wild in early 2002. Released in August later that year,[11] it gained moderate success.[18] The band's sophomore effort, We Are Not Alone, soon followed in June 2004, the first of three to be produced by David Bendeth, selling 48,000 copies in its first week of sales.

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Reformation

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Personal life

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(Source dump)

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Said, Sammy. "Benjamin Burnley Net Worth". TheRichest.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013.
  2. ^ "Breaking Benjamin gave Youngstown a fix". The Vindicator. March 25, 2010. Archived from the original on April 6, 2015.
  3. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database". RIAA. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  4. ^ Brutus, Lou (January 17, 2013). "Get The Dirt". KQRX 95.1. Brazos Communications West, LLC. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015.
  5. ^ "Red - Shadows". iHeart Radio. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  6. ^ Spence D. (September 11, 2006). "Breaking Benjamin - Phobia". IGN. j2 Global. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014.
  7. ^ "Ben Burnley Talks About His Baritone Guitar And Low Tunings". YouTube. FRET12. Retrieved April 10, 2015. (verified channel, primary source).
  8. ^ "Benjamin Jackson Burnley III, 54, Middleburg". The Daily Item. CNHI. July 2, 2010. Archived from the original on April 12, 2015.
  9. ^ a b Ferguson, Jon (February 18, 2010). "Breaking Benjamin: Songs from dark places". LancasterOnline. LNP Media Group. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015.
  10. ^ a b c Miller, Kirk (August 12, 2004). "Breaking Benjamin Break: Pennsylvania rockers bring back the Seattle sound". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media, LLC. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013.
  11. ^ a b c Henderson, Alex. "Breaking Benjamin Bio". AllMusic. All Media Network. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014.
  12. ^ Howells, Rich (October 26, 2014). "Breaking Benjamin covers Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Tool". NEPA Scene. That Thin Line Productions. Archived from the original on April 12, 2015.
  13. ^ Carmona, Abel (August 19, 2006). "Breaking Benjamin w/ Evans Blue - Verizon Wireless Theater - Houston, TX". Houston Music Review. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015.
  14. ^ "Breaking Benjamin Artisfacts". Songfacts. Archived from the original on August 1, 2014.
  15. ^ Loothra, Sachin (October 19, 2011). "Artist of the Week: Breaking Benjamin". Observer's Paradise. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; September 3, 2013 suggested (help)
  16. ^ Sisak, Michael (August 3, 2011). "From breaking to broken: The success & failure of Breaking Benjamin". Citizens' Voice. Times-Shamrock Communications. Archived from the original on August 3, 2014.
  17. ^ a b "Breaking Benjamin Bio". The Gauntlet. Archived from the original on July 18, 2014.
  18. ^ "Breaking Benjamin Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Archived from the original on July 24, 2013.
  19. ^ http://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/celeb/benjamin-burnley-net-worth/
  20. ^ http://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Benjamin_Burnley
  21. ^ http://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/benjamin-burnley.html
  22. ^ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/breaking-benjamin-break-20040812

Notes

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