robert gregory bourdon (born january 20, 1979) is the drummer and youngest member of the rock band linkin park. bourdon was born in calabasas, california and now lives in los angeles. he grew up in the same town as the members of incubus and hoobastank. bourdon started to play drums after watching an aerosmith concert. his mother, patty, is friends with joey kramer, aerosmith's drummer. they also dated when the were much younger. this friendship meant they were able to go backstage and see the entire production. kramer also gave bourdon a kick pedal.