Name  Ben Burnley

Best known for  Writing and performing in my band Breaking Benjamin.

More from Spin:

Bruce Springsteen Teases 2025 Archival Releases

Native Son

Replacements Guitarist Slim Dunlap Dies At 73

Current city  NYC

Really want to be in  Happy to be in NYC, especially around the holidays.

Excited about  I’m very excited about the new music we’ve been working on and I’m looking forward to getting it out there to the world, and of course hitting the road for some upcoming tours in the new year.

My current music collection has a lot of  A bit of everything honestly. Of course some classics like Black Sabbath, Metallica, Nirvana, but also some new bands like Bad Omens and Sleep Token.

And a little bit of  Classical.

Preferred format  No preference, but the convenient choice is streaming because it’s right at your fingertips on your phone.

5 Albums I Can’t Live Without:

1

Nevermind, Nirvana 

The biggest influence on me—it was the album/band that made me want to be a musician. Without it there would be no Breaking Benjamin.

2

Korn, Korn

This album is the first album that I listened to that made me want start adding in a bit more aggressive style of vocals. It also led to tapping into a heavier style overall and experimenting with lower guitar tunings. 

3

Sixteen Stone, Bush

I used to sing this album front to back in my car as a teenager and it really shaped my vocal style. I liked the raspy delivery of the vocals and was able to add it to what I was doing with my music. This album also introduced me to some staple song structures which inspired me to try and build upon in my writing.

4

Undertow, Tool

This album also helped shape my style and cadence as a singer. I loved the dark mood and delivery of MJK, and Tool as a whole really got me interested in writing actual guitar riffs.

5

Ten, Pearl Jam 

Just a great album front to back. There’s a lot of great musicianship and a lot of subtle, clever, and great things in it.  I feel like every time I listen to it I hear something new.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.