Rob Bourdon
Robert Gregory Bourdon (born January 20, 1979) is an American musician, best known as a co-founding member and the former drummer of the rock band Linkin Park. He performed on the band's first seven albums until their hiatus in 2017, and was succeeded by Colin Brittain upon their reunion.
Also recorded as Robert Bourdon · Robert Gregory Bourdon · Robert G. Bourdon
Rob Bourdon

Stefan Brending (2eight) · Foto: Stefan Brending · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Name
- Rob Bourdon
- Birth Name
- Robert Gregory Bourdon
- Born
- 20 January 1979
- Birthplace
- Calabasas, California, U.S.
- Occupation
- Musician
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- alternative rock · alternative metal · nu metal · hard rock
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Robert Gregory Bourdon (born January 20, 1979) is an American musician, best known as a co-founding member and the former drummer of the rock band Linkin Park. He performed on the band's first seven albums until their hiatus in 2017, and was succeeded by Colin Brittain upon their reunion.
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wikidata · Q19205 · wikipedia · Rob Bourdon
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Rob Bourdon • Birth Name — Robert Gregory Bourdon • Born — 20 January 1979 • Birthplace — Calabasas, California, U.S. • Genre — * Alternative rock • nu metal • alternative metal • electronic rock • pop rock • Instrument — * Drums • percussion • Occupation — Musician • Years Active — 1996–2017 • Past Member Of — * Linkin Park • Relative Degree • Website — linkinpark.com
Early life
Early life
Bourdon was born in Calabasas, California. He received classical piano lessons at a young age. He was inspired to play the drums after attending an Aerosmith concert, where he was personally introduced to drummer Joey Kramer. He also cites Tower of Power and Earth, Wind and Fire as his early influences. Bourdon attended Agoura High School in Agoura Hills where he met future bandmates Brad Delson and Mike Shinoda, in the high school's jazz band. Bourdon waited tables at a restaurant and worked as a party coordinator at a bowling alley prior to becoming a full-time musician. He attended Santa Monica College where he studied accounting.
Career
Career
Bourdon and Brad Delson formed their own band, Relative Degree. The band played a sell-out concert at the Roxy Theatre before breaking up. Bourdon later joined Delson and Mike Shinoda to form Linkin Park, then known as Xero, in 1996. The band enjoyed mainstream success with their debut album, Hybrid Theory (2000), which would later go on to become 12× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Bourdon served as Linkin Park's drummer for seven studio albums and many international tours. Beyond drums and percussion, he also handled the band's business operations with Delson and bassist Dave Farrell. Bourdon played the drums for ten hours a day for seven consecutive days, mainly practicing "Keys to the Kingdom", during the production of the band's sixth studio album, The Hunting Party. He injured his back, but later recovered. He remained with Linkin Park through 2017, when the band went on hiatus following the death of vocalist Chester Bennington. Bourdon later informed the other members that he wished to distance himself from the band, and did not participate in re-release promotional activities or the 2024 compilation album Papercuts. Linkin Park announced their reformation on September 5, 2024, with new members, including Colin Brittain replacing Bourdon.
Personal life
Personal life
Bourdon resides in Los Angeles, and is Jewish.
With Linkin Park
With Linkin Park
• Hybrid Theory (2000) • Meteora (2003) • Minutes to Midnight (2007) • A Thousand Suns (2010) • Living Things (2012) • The Hunting Party (2014) • One More Light (2017)

Rob Bourdon of Linkin Park at The Globe Arena in Stockholm. Photo taken with a Canon EOS 400D and Canon EF 50 f/1.8
Rickard Laurin

ARGO-Konzerte,Centerstage,Konzert,Linkin Park,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,RiP,Rob Bourdon,Rock im Park 2014
Stefan Brending (2eight) · Foto: Stefan Brending
Musical influences
Bourdon's musical influences include Led Zeppelin, Tower of Power, Aerosmith, The Police, Bad Religion, Steely Dan, System of a Down, Incubus, and Dave Matthews Band.
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Rob Bourdon”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q19205: Rob Bourdon
Unverified · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Quirarte, Xavier. 'Hybrid Theory': 20 años de un disco explosivo de Linkin Park. Milenio. October 24, 2020.
- 2.Spatu, Madan Gupta. The year ahead. The Tribune (Chandigarh).
- 3.Contactmusic.com. Rob Bourdon Injured Back During Recording Marathon. World Entertainment News Network. April 30, 2014.
- 4.Young, Simon. Linkin Park, you're a nu metal boy band. Discuss. Metal Hammer. October 23, 2015.
- 5.Rob Bourdon. Remo.com.
- 6.David, Fricke. Linkin Park: David Fricke Talks to Chester Bennington About 'Hybrid Theory' Success. Rolling Stone. March 14, 2002.
- 7.Keeble, Edward. Rob Bourdan Injured After Rocking Too Hard. Gigwise. May 1, 2014.
- 8.Linzinmeir, Taylor. Mike Shinoda — Linkin Park Have 'No Plans' for New Music. Loudwire. April 23, 2022.
- 9.Sherman, Maria. Linkin Park reunite 7 years after Chester Bennington's death, with new music. AP News. September 5, 2024.
- 10.Garcia, Thania. Linkin Park Selects Emily Armstrong From Rock Band Dead Sara as New Singer, Reveals Tour and Album 'From Zero'. Variety. September 5, 2024.
- 11.Singh, Surej. Linkin Park address founding drummer Rob Bourdon's departure. NME. September 6, 2024.
- 12.Micallef, Ken. Rob Bourdon. Modern Drummer. 48. September 2014.
- 13.Micallef, Ken. Rob Bourdon: Midnight Confessions. ModernDrummer.com. May 18, 2007.
- 14.Chessler, Suzanne. Rothbury Redux. The Detroit Jewish News. University of Michigan. June 18, 2009.
References
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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