Travis Barker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Travis Barker
Barker at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards
Born	Travis Landon Barker (1975-11-14) November 14, 1975 (age 49) Fontana, California, U.S.
Other names	The Baron von Tito Bones Clarence
Education	Fontana High School
Occupation	Musician songwriter record producer
Years active	1993–present
Television	Meet the Barkers
Spouse(s)	Melissa Kennedy ​ ​ (m. 2001; div. 2002)​ Shanna Moakler ​ ​ (m. 2004; div. 2008)​ Kourtney Kardashian ​ ​ (m. 2022)​
Children	3, including Landon and Alabama
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Pop-punk alternative rock punk rock skate punk hip hop
Instruments	Drums percussion
Labels	DGC Interscope LaSalle Atlantic Geffen Hellcat MCA Golden Voice DTA Goliath Artists

Travis Landon Barker (born November 14, 1975) is an American musician. He is best known as the drummer for the rock band Blink-182. He has also worked with many hip hop artists. Travis is a member of the rap rock group Transplants. He also helped start the rock band +44. He has played with Box Car Racer, Antemasque, and Goldfinger.

Travis Barker was born in Fontana, California. He started playing drums when he was very young. He joined The Aquabats in 1996. In 1998, he left to join Blink-182. The band became very famous with their album Enema of the State (1999). Travis is known for being a very skilled drummer. He has produced music and played drums for many different types of music. These include hip hop, alternative rock, pop, and country.

He also starred in an MTV reality TV show called Meet the Barkers. In 2008, he was in a plane crash. He recovered and released his first solo album, Give the Drummer Some, in 2011. He continues to work with rappers and his bands Blink-182 and the Transplants.

Besides music, Travis started a clothing company called Famous Stars and Straps in 1999. He also created record labels, LaSalle Records in 2004 and DTA Records in 2019. Companies like DC Shoes and Zildjian have made products with his name. In 2015, he wrote a book about his life called Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums. Travis is also a vegan and has invested in a vegan restaurant in Los Angeles.

Early Life and Learning Music

Travis Barker was born in Fontana, California, on November 14, 1975. When he was four years old, his mom gave him his first drum set. This was the only drum set he had until he was 15. At age five, Travis started taking drum lessons. His teacher, Michael Mai, showed him many different drumming styles. He also started learning to play the trumpet around this time.

In junior high, Travis learned piano. He even tried singing for a short time in a choir. Besides music, Travis was also interested in becoming a professional surfer and skateboarder. But he always felt most connected to drums. He said, "I could express myself better through my drums than I could anything else."

Travis's mother passed away the day before he started high school. She told him to keep playing music and follow his dreams. At Fontana High School, Travis played drums in the jazz band. He also played the snare drum in the marching band. He gained a lot of experience playing at different events. Travis used many styles, including military and jazz rhythms. But he was especially drawn to the strong beats of hip-hop and punk rock.

Travis Barker's Music Journey

Starting Out in Music (1993–1998)

After high school, Travis worked as a trash collector. He also played in punk rock bands like Snot and Feeble. In Feeble, he met Chad Larson. Chad later helped start the ska punk band the Aquabats in 1994. Travis, who was "sleeping on [his] friend's couch," joined the Aquabats. He was only supposed to fill in for a few days, but he ended up staying.

The band recorded their album The Fury of the Aquabats!. Travis's drumming was very fast and accurate. He was so quick that he often finished his drum parts early. This gave him time to practice with other bands. With the Aquabats, he got the nickname "Baron Von Tito."

Travis Barker (top right) joined Blink-182 in 1998.

In 1997, the Aquabats toured with San Diego-based Blink-182. Blink-182's drummer, Scott Raynor, decided to leave the band. Blink-182 asked Travis to fill in for Raynor. Travis had very little time to prepare. He learned the drum parts for 20 songs in just 45 minutes before the first show. He played them perfectly.

Raynor returned for a short time, but problems continued. Blink-182 then asked Travis to join permanently. Other musicians saw how well Travis fit in with Blink-182. His drumming inspired the other members, Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus, to play even better. Travis continued playing with Blink-182 throughout 1998. He also filled in for Josh Freese in the Vandals.

Becoming a Star (1999–2004)

Travis's first album with Blink-182 was Enema of the State. It came out in June 1999. This album made the band huge stars. They became one of the biggest pop punk bands of that time. Three songs from the album became big hits: "What's My Age Again?", "All the Small Things", and "Adam's Song". "All the Small Things" was a number-one hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The music video for "All the Small Things" made fun of boy bands. It won an award at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. The album sold over 15 million copies worldwide. It had a big impact on pop punk music.

Travis Barker performing in 2003

The band's success changed Travis's life. He said he could finally afford things like art and old cars. He also bought a place to practice music. Around this time, Travis opened a clothing store called Famous Stars and Straps. He also started giving drum lessons. Blink-182 began their first arena tour in late 1999. However, Travis missed part of the 2000 tour because he broke his finger.

Blink-182's next album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001), was also a huge success. It went straight to number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold millions of copies very quickly.

In 2001, Travis married Melissa Kennedy, but they separated in 2002. After a canceled tour, Tom DeLonge started a side project called Box Car Racer. He asked Travis to play drums for it. This project became a full band and toured in 2002. This caused some tension between Tom and Mark Hoppus.

In 2002, Rancid singer Tim Armstrong asked Travis to record for a rap/rock project called the Transplants. Rolling Stone magazine called Travis "punk rock's first superstar drummer" for his work on the Transplants album. He also appeared in music videos, like Puff Daddy's "Bad Boy for Life." Blink-182 released their fifth album in 2003. This album showed a more grown-up sound. Before the album was finished, Travis's girlfriend, Shanna Moakler, gave birth to their son, Landon Asher, in October 2003.

Travis was impressed by a band called The Kinison. They were the first group he signed to his new record label, LaSalle Records, in 2004. The label was named after Travis's favorite car. He wanted the label to find all kinds of music. Travis also started boxing in his free time. In 2004, he hurt his foot during a show in Melbourne, Australia. He still performed the next night using his left foot for the kick-drum. He was in so much pain that the tour had to be canceled. Doctors told him he broke his foot and tore tendons and ligaments. In February 2005, Blink-182 announced they were taking a break.

TV Star and Music Projects (2005–2008)

Travis Barker on stage in 2004

After getting married in October 2004, Travis starred in the MTV reality series Meet the Barkers. The show followed Travis and his family. It showed Blink-182's last tour and the new Transplants album. The new Transplants album, Haunted Cities (2005), was released after Blink-182's break. Meanwhile, Mark Hoppus and Travis kept making music together. They started a new band called +44. Travis also started another project in 2005 called Expensive Taste. This project was more focused on hip-hop.

Travis also began producing music for other artists. The +44 project grew when Mark and Travis bought their own studio in October 2005. Their first album, When Your Heart Stops Beating, received mixed reviews.

Travis and his wife, Shanna Moakler, separated. Their breakup became a popular topic in the news.

In 2007, Travis started working on hip-hop remixes. He made beats for artists like Juelz Santana. He also opened new stores in Los Angeles. He continued drumming for bands like Idiot Pilot and the Federation. He also made popular remixes of Rihanna's "Umbrella" and "Crank That (Soulja Boy)". After touring with Fall Out Boy, +44 began working on a second album.

Travis kept releasing hip-hop remixes in 2008. His remix of Flo Rida's "Low" was very popular. Videos of Travis playing these remixed songs became very popular on YouTube. Travis wanted to put all his remixes and new songs on a solo album. This idea grew into his first solo record. He worked with many guest artists, including Young Dro, E-40, and Willie Nelson. In June 2008, he started performing with DJ AM (Adam Goldstein). Their duo was called TRV$DJAM. DJ AM would mix classic songs live, and Travis would play drums along with him. They performed at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7.

Solo Album and Reunions (2009–Present)

Travis Barker drumming for Blink-182 in 2011

Travis's plane accident led to Blink-182 getting back together. The band announced their return at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Travis continued to make remixes in 2009. He remixed "3 a.m." by Eminem. He also worked with Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. In August 2009, during the band's reunion tour, DJ AM passed away.

The plane crash made Travis change his lifestyle. He started running and swimming every day. He also became vegan after leaving the hospital. Travis did not fly again until 2021. He traveled by bus and took a boat for tours in Europe.

After many delays, Travis finally released his solo album, Give the Drummer Some, in March 2011. The album features many artists, from Lil Wayne to Slipknot's Corey Taylor. Blink-182's sixth album, Neighborhoods, came out in September 2011. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart. Travis continued to work with other artists. He released an EP called Psycho White with rapper Yelawolf. Travis could not join Blink-182's Australian tour in 2013. Brooks Wackerman filled in for him.

Travis Barker performing in 2016

On July 1, 2016, Blink-182 released their seventh album, California. It was very popular with fans and critics. For this album, Blink-182 members Mark Hoppus and Travis replaced co-founder Tom DeLonge. They brought in vocalist and guitarist Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio. Travis and Mark said that Tom DeLonge was not willing to work on new Blink projects.

Travis is currently producing his second solo album. He wrote a book about his life called Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums. It was released on October 20, 2015. He also appeared in a 2016 documentary film about DJ and producer Steve Aoki.

In 2018, Travis Barker played drums on songs for trap-metal musician Ghostemane and XXXTentacion. He also joined The Aquabats for a special 20th-anniversary show. In 2019, Travis remixed a song by Lil Peep & XXXTentacion called "Falling Down."

In April 2020, Travis was the drummer for Post Malone's Nirvana tribute show. This show raised money for the WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. In May 2020, Travis signed musician Jxdn to his label DTA Records. Jxdn was the first artist on the label.

In September 2020, Travis worked with Machine Gun Kelly on his album Tickets to My Downfall. He was also in the movie based on this album, Downfalls High. Travis played drums on Willow Smith's pop-punk song "Transparent Soul" in 2021.

In March 2021, Travis was featured on the Atreyu song "Warrior." In July 2021, Travis signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. In November 2021, he signed Avril Lavigne to DTA Records.

In 2022, Travis Barker helped produce Machine Gun Kelly's album, Mainstream Sellout. In June 2023, Travis met with Alex Etheridge, a 13-year-old musician with bone cancer. Alex was a big fan of Travis's drumming. They spent time talking and playing drums together. Alex and his family also watched Blink-182's concert from the front row. Alex passed away in July 2023.

Who Inspired Travis Barker?

Travis Barker shared that his first hero was Animal from The Muppets. He said Animal inspired him to play drums. He also looks up to drummers like John Bonham from Led Zeppelin, Alex Van Halen from Van Halen, Tommy Lee from Mötley Crüe, and Danny Carey from Tool. In 2016, Travis called Buddy Rich the greatest drummer of all time. He also said that Van Halen's "Jump" was the first song he learned on drums.

Travis Barker's Personal Life

Plane Accident (2008)

On September 19, 2008, Travis and DJ AM performed in Columbia, South Carolina. They were flying home on a private plane. Travis had invited his ex-wife Shanna Moakler, but she decided not to go. Travis was always scared of flying. He had a feeling he would die in a plane crash.

Just before midnight, the plane was taking off. The people on board heard a loud bang. Air traffic controllers saw sparks coming from the plane. The pilots said a tire had blown out and they would stop the takeoff. The plane crashed through a fence, crossed a highway, and hit a hill. Travis and DJ AM managed to escape the plane. They ran on the highway. Someone yelled, "Stop, drop and roll," and Travis dropped to the ground. DJ AM helped put out the fire on his feet. Travis and DJ AM were taken to a burn center. They were the only survivors of the crash. Two of Travis's friends and the two pilots passed away. Less than a year later, DJ AM also passed away.

The remains of the plane crash

Travis spent over 11 weeks in hospitals. He had many surgeries and skin grafts. He felt a lot of pain. Travis also developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the accident. He felt guilty because his friend was not supposed to be on the plane.

He changed his diet to help his burns heal. Travis recovered and was able to play drums again in November 2008. He told MTV that playing drums again "was like riding a bike." He was thankful to be able to play.

Relationships and Family

Travis's first marriage to Melissa Kennedy ended in 2002. He later married actress and former Miss USA runner-up, Shanna Moakler, on October 30, 2004. They had a wedding inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas. Travis and Shanna have two children together: a son born in 2003 and a daughter born in 2005. Travis is also very close with his stepdaughter Atiana, Shanna's daughter from a previous relationship. The family was featured in a reality TV show called Meet the Barkers from 2005 to 2006.

Travis and Shanna separated in 2006. They tried to get back together in 2007 but separated again. Their divorce was finalized in February 2008. They tried to rekindle their relationship in early 2009 but announced they were no longer together in April 2009.

In 2016, it was reported that Travis and Shanna were friendly and co-parenting their children well.

In late 2020, rumors started about Travis dating Kourtney Kardashian. Their relationship was confirmed in January 2021. During this relationship, Travis started flying again after avoiding airplanes for 13 years. In October 2021, they got engaged. They had an unofficial wedding in Las Vegas in April 2022. They officially married on May 15, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California. They had a religious wedding ceremony in Portofino, Italy, on May 22, 2022. In November 2023, they welcomed their first child together, a son.

Travis was raised Catholic. He believes in God and prays regularly with his children.

Travis Barker in Movies, TV, and Video Games

Travis Barker has appeared in many movies and TV shows. He had his own reality show, Meet the Barkers, which started in 2005. He was in a short scene with Blink-182 in the movie American Pie. In 2003, he was on MTV's Punk'd, a show where people play pranks. He also appeared on MTV's Icon show honoring Metallica.

In 2006, Travis was in a commercial for Boost Mobile. This was shown on an episode of Meet the Barkers. He also had guest roles, like playing a rapper on the crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In 2001, he appeared with Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge in a skit on MADtv.

Travis also performed at the CMA Awards in 2006. He played a mix of songs by country singer Buck Owens with other artists.

Travis performed with Skylar Grey and Kid Ink at WrestleMania 31. He is a secret playable character in the video game Tony Hawk's Project 8. He also appears in Guitar Hero World Tour.

Film and TV Appearances

Travis Barker's Music Albums

More About Travis Barker

In Spanish: Travis Barker para niños

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