Brad Delson

Brad Delson is an American musician, songwriter, and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and a founding member of the rock band Linkin Park. Born Bradford Philip Delson on December 1, 1977, in Agoura Hills, California, he began playing the trumpet at a young age and switched to guitar at 12. Delson attended UCLA, where he earned a degree in communication studies and interned at Zomba Music Publishing. He co-founded Xero in 1996 with high school friends Mike Shinoda and Rob Bourdon, which later evolved into Linkin Park. The band achieved global success with their debut album Hybrid Theory in 2000, which sold over 30 million copies worldwide .

Beyond his musical career, Delson has made significant contributions as a producer and entrepreneur. He co-founded Machine Shop Recordings in 2001, a record label that signed artists like Skylar Grey and Styles of Beyond. In 2015, he helped launch Machine Shop Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in companies such as Lyft, Shyp, and Blue Bottle Coffee . Delson's involvement in both the creative and business aspects of the music industry has solidified his reputation as a multifaceted artist and entrepreneur.

Reflecting on his experiences, Delson has shared several insights. He once remarked, “I’m inspired by the sheer ingenuity and intelligence possessed by my fellow band mates” . Additionally, he emphasized the band's diverse musical influences, stating, “The biggest misconception about us is that we’re just a rock band. We think our music is a cross-section of many genres; a hybrid of what the six of us have grown up on” . Through his work and words, Brad Delson continues to inspire with his dedication to innovation and collaboration in the music industry.