Benji Madden
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Benji Madden | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Benjamin Levi Combs |
| Also known as | Benji, Benj, Kid Vicious |
| Born | March 11, 1979 [1] |
| Origin | Waldorf, Maryland, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Pop punk, Punk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, backup vocalist |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Label(s) | Epic Records, Daylight Records |
| Website | www.goodcharlotte.com |
Benjamin Levi Madden (born Benjamin Levi Combs on March 11, 1979) is the guitarist and backup vocalist of the band Good Charlotte.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Benji Madden was born in a working class Irish-American family. He has an identical twin brother, Joel Madden, who sings lead in Good Charlotte. He has an older brother named Josh, who helps design their clothes, and a younger sister, Sarah, who is in a band called Her Daily Obsession. Madden attended La Plata High School in La Plata, Maryland. When Madden was 15 years old, his father left the family, causing them financial hardship. Madden took up various odd jobs as a teenager to help with the family's bills. While in his early 20's, Madden changed his last name from Combs, his father's name, to his mother's maiden name, Madden.
[edit] Other projects
In the 2001 film Not Another Teen Movie, Benji and the other Good Charlotte members made a cameo as the band at the school's prom and in the 2006 film Material Girls with his brother Joel.
Madden started a clothing line called MADE Clothing along with his brothers Joel and Josh. The line is now defunct. In early 2006 MADE Clothing became DCMA Collective. The line is owned by himself, his brothers Joel Madden, Josh Madden, and friend Tal Cooperman.
Alongside playing in Good Charlotte, Benji along with his brother Joel Madden is also a part of the experimental hip hop group and producers Dead Executives
[edit] Personal life
Benji and his brother Joel both became vegetarians under the influence of fellow band mate Billy Martin. As of '03, Benji has taken a stricter vow on his eating habits by adapting to a vegan lifestyle. Benji is currently living in Glendale, California.
In January 2008, media outlets reported that Madden and his long-time girlfriend and fiancée, Sophie Monk had split up.[2] In response to recent rumors that the couple had broken up, Good Charlotte's rep told Us Weekly: "Benji Madden and Sophie Monk are together and very happy." [3] However, on February 12, 2008 it was officially announced by Monk's Sydney agent, Yoon Kim, that "Sophie and Benji have officially split. The decision was mutual and they remain amicable."[4]
Shortly after his engagement with Sophie Monk ended, Benji Madden has been dating Paris Hilton, well-known best friend of Nicole Richie, who is living with Benji's brother, Joel.
Madden is an avid collector of gothic dolls. He showed off his vast collection on an episode of MTV Cribs.
[edit] Featured Guest appearances
| Year | Song | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Tightly Wound" | MxPx | Secret Weapon (album) |
| 2007 | "Sex Without Love" | Ben Lee | Ripe (album) |
| 2003 | "Jaded (These Years)" | Mest | Mest (album) |
| 2002 | "January" | Goldfinger (band) | Open Your Eyes (Goldfinger album) |
[edit] Other appearances
- Rancid's "Fall Back Down" music video
- MxPx's, "It's Alright", from the Before Everything & After album
- MxPx's, "On The Outs", from the Before Everything & After album
- Ben Lee's, "Sex Without Love", from the Ripe album
- Good Charlotte feat. X-ecutioners - "Let's Go"
[edit] References
- ^ Good Charlotte Biography. allmusic.com (2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
- ^ Sophie Monk nad Benji Madden split up. News.com.au (7 January 2008). Retrieved on 13 January 2008.
- ^ Monk and Madden deny split. News.com.au (8 January 2008). Retrieved on 13 January 2008.
- ^ www.news.com.au
[edit] External links
- Benji Madden at the Internet Movie Database
- Benji Madden at MySpace
- DCMA Collective (Benji's clothing line)
- Official Good Charlotte Website
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