Thomas Matthew DeLonge (born December 13, 1975) is an American musician best known as the co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and guitarist of the rock band Blink-182. He has been with the band in three stints: 1992 to 2005, 2009 to 2015, and since 2022. He is also the lead vocalist and guitarist of Angels & Airwaves, which he formed in 2005.
DeLonge is known for his distinctive nasal singing voice. He founded companies like Macbeth Footwear, Modlife, and To the Stars and has multiple film projects in development.
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Table of Contents
Tom DeLonge Net Worth
Tom DeLonge has a net worth of $70 million. He is one of the most vocal UFO researchers of the modern era, believing in aliens since his youth. In 2015, he founded To The Stars, Inc., focusing on UFO research. The company merged into To the Stars Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2019, producing the History Channel show “Unidentified: Inside America’s UFO Investigation.”
In 2020, he sold the rights to his Blink-182 catalog to Hipgnosis Songs. He has also sold multiple properties, including a $3.8 million home in Del Mar, California.
Early life
Thomas Matthew DeLonge was born in Poway, California on December 13, 1975, to a mortgage broker mother and an oil company executive father. He has a brother named Shon and a sister named Kari. DeLonge first played trumpet, then guitar, which he received as a gift in sixth grade.
He was introduced to punk music in seventh grade and formed a one-man band called Big Oily Men. DeLonge was an average student who focused on skateboarding and music. After high school, he worked in construction until Blink-182 signed to MCA Records in 1996.
Career
DeLonge formed his first successful band, Blink-182, in 1992. He was removed from Poway High School for attending a basketball game while inebriated, later attending Rancho Bernardo High School, where he became friends with Kerry Key and Anne Hoppus. DeLonge and Mark Hoppus formed the core of the band, jamming and writing songs.
The trio, including drummer Scott Raynor, initially played under names like Duck Tape and Figure 8, before settling on Blink. Their debut album, Cheshire Cat (1995), although not commercially successful, is considered iconic by musicians.
Personal life
In 1996, DeLonge began dating Jennifer Jenkins, whom he had known since high school. They were married in Coronado, California, on May 26, 2001, with the band Jimmy Eat World performing at the reception.
DeLonge gave each groomsman, including Mark Hoppus, silver yo-yos from Tiffany’s. The couple had a daughter and a son before divorcing in 2019. In May 2021, DeLonge married his girlfriend, Rose-Marie Berryman.
Why did Tom DeLonge quit Blink?
Tom DeLonge left Blink-182 in 2015, primarily due to creative differences and personal priorities. He had been increasingly focused on his other projects, including his work with the band Angels & Airwaves and his interests in filmmaking and UFO research.
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Conclusion
Tom DeLonge’s career, marked by musical innovation and entrepreneurial ventures, reflects a journey of continuous evolution. His impact on the punk rock scene with Blink-182, coupled with his ventures in business, demonstrates his multifaceted talents. DeLonge’s story is one of adaptability, creativity, and resilience, making him a notable figure in both the music and business worlds.
FAQs about Tom DeLonge’s Net Worth
- How has Tom DeLonge’s music evolved over the years?
- DeLonge’s music has evolved from the punk rock sound of Blink-182 to the more experimental and atmospheric style of Angels & Airwaves, showcasing his versatility as a musician.
- What business ventures has Tom DeLonge been involved in?
- DeLonge has been involved in several business ventures, including Macbeth Footwear, Modlife, and To the Stars, which focus on apparel, technology for artists, and exploration of fringe science, respectively.
- How did Tom DeLonge’s early life influence his music career?
- DeLonge’s early life, marked by his passion for skateboarding and punk rock, greatly influenced his music style and the formation of Blink-182, laying the foundation for his career.
- What impact has Tom DeLonge had on the music industry?
- DeLonge has had a significant impact on the music industry, especially in the punk rock genre, through his work with Blink-182 and Angels & Airwaves, influencing a generation of musicians and fans.
- What is the significance of Tom DeLonge’s return to Blink-182?
- DeLonge’s return to Blink-182 signifies a reunion of the original lineup and a revival of the chemistry and creative energy that propelled the band to fame, exciting fans and promising new music and performances.
