Benjamin Burnley

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2016 RiP Breaking Benjamin - Benjamin Burnley - by 2eight - 8SC8634

Benjamin Burnley (born March 10, 1978) is an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, primary songwriter, and founder of the band Breaking Benjamin. He is known for his distinctive voice and his role in shaping the band's sound and success.

Early Life

Benjamin Jackson Burnley IV was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He grew up in a musical family and developed an interest in music at a young age. Burnley taught himself to play guitar by listening to and playing along with his favorite records.

Career

Formation of Breaking Benjamin

In 1998, Burnley moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he formed the band Breaking Benjamin with drummer Jeremy Hummel. The band's name was inspired by an incident in which Burnley accidentally broke a borrowed microphone during a performance. The band quickly gained a following in the local music scene.

Albums and Success

Breaking Benjamin released their debut album, Saturate, in 2002. The album featured the hit single "Polyamorous" and helped establish the band in the rock music scene. Their second album, We Are Not Alone, released in 2004, included the successful singles "So Cold" and "Sooner or Later".

The band's third album, Phobia, released in 2006, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's lead single, "The Diary of Jane", became one of their most popular songs. In 2009, Breaking Benjamin released Dear Agony, which continued their commercial success.

Hiatus and Return

In 2010, Breaking Benjamin went on hiatus due to Burnley's health issues. During this time, Burnley dealt with various personal challenges, including chronic illness and addiction. The band returned in 2014 with a new lineup and released the album Dark Before Dawn in 2015, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

In 2018, Breaking Benjamin released Ember, followed by Aurora in 2020, which featured reimagined versions of their previous hits.

Personal Life

Burnley has been open about his struggles with Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome, a condition caused by chronic alcohol abuse. He has also spoken about his battle with phobias and anxiety, which have influenced his songwriting.

Musical Style and Influences

Burnley's musical style is characterized by his powerful vocals and the band's blend of post-grunge, alternative metal, and hard rock. He has cited bands such as Nirvana, Tool, and Deftones as major influences on his music.

Discography

• Saturate (2002)
• We Are Not Alone (2004)
• Phobia (2006)
• Dear Agony (2009)
• Dark Before Dawn (2015)
• Ember (2018)
• Aurora (2020)

See Also

• Breaking Benjamin
• List of Breaking Benjamin band members
• Post-grunge
• Alternative metal