Benjamin Jackson Burnley IV is the founder, lead singer, and second rhythm guitarist of the Nu metal/hard rock band
Breaking Benjamin. He is the only member of the band who has never left. In 2007 his band went on a hiatus because his alcohol addiction left him with Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome and during that hiatus he had to fire two of his bandmates, Aaron Fincke and Mark Klepaski, for illegally signing off on a contract to their newest hit song "Blow Me Away."
Eventually, he beat the odds of a 1-in-20 chance and recovered without severe permanent brain damage. However, the drummer, Chad Szeliga, later left the band in 2012. In late 2014, Ben recruited four new band members with Kieth Wallen on rhythm guitar so Ben himself could be a little more animated while singing (as he often moved as little as possible while playing live so he could
concentrate on
playing guitar and keeping within range of the
microphone at all times)
Ben has several phobias, but he does not let them get in his way. However, he refuses to perform live in any countries outside of USA and Canada, as his fear of death makes him walk rather than drive as little as possible to avoid car crashes, and he doesn't fly at all.
Ben is the fourth Benjamin Jackson Burnley of his bloodline, preceded by his great-grandfather, grandfather, and uncle, who are all dead. His infant son if the fifth in his bloodline (Benjamin Jackson Burnley V)
Ben is around 36 years old and is 6"4 tall (approx. 2 metres)
