Benji Madden life and biography

Benji Madden is an American guitarist and backup vocalist for the band Good Charlotte, which he co-founded with his identical twin brother, Joel Madden.

Benjamin "Benji" Madden was born as Benjamin Levi Combs on March 11, 1979 in the town of Waldorf, Maryland. He has an identical twin brother, Joel Madden, with whom he formed the band Good Charlotte. He has an older brother named Josh, who helps design their DCMA Collective clothing line. Madden also has a younger sister, Sarah. Madden attended La Plata High School in La Plata, Maryland. When he was sixteen years old his father, Roger Combs, left the family causing them financial hardship. Madden took up various odd jobs to help with the family's bills. While in his early twenties, Madden changed his last name from Combs, his father's name, to his mother's maiden name, Madden.

In the 2001 film Not Another Teen Movie, Benji, Adam Ly and the other Good Charlotte members made a cameo as the band at the school's prom. Madden made another appearance 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. "MADE" stands for the will to fight and die for those who you love. 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. A DCMA Collective store was opened in Los Angeles, California, on March 15, 2008.

While still playing in Good Charlotte, Benji and his brother Joel take part in a side project group called the Dead Executives. Madden was a co-writer and co-producer of some of the songs on Hilary Duff's Most Wanted (2005) compilation album. He also co-wrote the theme song for Paris Hilton's reality show "My New BFF." He has appeared as a back-up vocalist for artists such as MxPx, Kill Hannah, Apoptygma Berzerk, Mest, The 69 Eyes, Sean Kingston, Three 6 Mafia, Chamillionaire, and Matisyahu. As of September 2009 Benji has joined the band Taintstick, fronted by radio talk show host, professional MMA fighter, and pro skateboarder, Jason Ellis. He is also rumored to be a member of Rad Omen along with Peter Dante, Dirt Nasty, and DJ Troublemaker.

On April 3, 2010, Benji partook in a boxing match against MTV and VH1 host Riki Rachtman at Ellismania 5: Get These Brawls. The event was hosted by Jason Ellis at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Rachtman made several public statements against Benji and Good Charlotte prior to the fight, presumably to enrage Benji and cause him to exhaust himself early in the fight. Benji beat Rachtman by knockout 1 minute and 42 seconds into the first round.

Madden was also a judge for the 10th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.

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