Benjamin Jackson Burnley IV, professionally known as Benjamin Burnley, was born on March 10, 1978, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He spent his early childhood in nearby Ocean City until the age of 12, when his family relocated to Pennsylvania, citing high coastal taxes. They settled in Snyder County, and Burnley completed his education through homeschooling, later earning his GED. At 21, he moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he lived with future Breaking Benjamin bassist Jonathan Price.
Burnley later returned to Ocean City, New Jersey, aiming to provide a similar upbringing for his son. He was previously married to Rhiannon Napier, who maintains a private life away from public attention. The couple welcomed a son, Benjamin Jackson Burnley V, on November 1, 2014. The name is part of a long-standing generational tradition in the Burnley family. The surname 'Burnley' is believed to be connected to the town of Burnley in England, from where the family likely originated.
Burnley developed an interest in music at an early age, heavily inspired by the American grunge band Nirvana. He taught himself to play guitar during his teenage years, primarily by listening to the album Nevermind. Before achieving widespread recognition, Burnley performed at local coffee shops, covering popular songs alongside his own compositions. He frequently collaborated with other local musicians, honing his performance and songwriting skills in grassroots venues.
Burnley's most significant musical endeavor is the rock band Breaking Benjamin. The original lineup began in 1998 as a collaboration with guitarist Aaron Fincke, along with Chris Lightcap and Nick Hoover. The group disbanded after Burnley briefly moved to California to pursue other opportunities. In 1999, he reformed the band in Pennsylvania with drummer Jeremy Hummel and bassist Jason Davoli under the name Plan 9. Eventually, Burnley reverted to using the name Breaking Benjamin during a live performance.
The band saw several lineup changes over the years. Notable past members include Aaron Fink and Mark Klepaski, formerly of the band Lifer. The current lineup consists of Burnley along with Aaron Bruch, Shaun Foist, Jasen Rauch, and Keith Wallen. The band's breakthrough came when local DJ Freddie Fabbri began playing their single “Polyamorous” on his radio station, bringing them regional and eventually national attention.
Burnley has collaborated with numerous artists within the rock and alternative scenes. He is known for live duets and studio contributions with groups such as Evans Blue, Three Days Grace, and Disturbed. Breaking Benjamin has received several accolades, including three platinum records, two gold records, and multiple platinum and gold singles. The band's 2015 album Dark Before Dawn debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, marking a major milestone in their career.
| Birth Date: | 10 Mar, 1978 |
| Age: | 42 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Atlantic City |
| Gender: | Male |
| Net Worth 2021: | 4 million |
