Linkin Park: the rock band from the early 2000’s with hit songs such as “Numb” and“In the End”is under heat for their new era. In 2017, lead singer Chester Bennington died of suicide at the young age of 41. Due to this tragic event the band went on a hiatus of 7 years. On September 5, 2024, they announced they were making a comeback and had already released a new album. At this point, the band’s new singer Emily Armstrong had already gotten herself in hot waters with not only fans but also Chester Bennington’s own family.
Armstrong already had a failed band, named Dead Sara in which “they had to crowd-fund the release of their next album” which is making fans question her motives. Armstrong originally was supposed to join the band for a few days to test a new sound but gradually worked her way to lead singer. This left many fans upset saying that she doesn’t deserve it and should have left Chester Bennington’s legacy to rest. No one was as upset at Chester’s own son, Jaime Bennington.
Bennington’s son stated that the band “quietly erased my father’s life and legacy…We trusted you to be the bigger better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention. Now you’re just senile and tone deaf. Insane.”. Jaime goes on to directly address his father’s long term bandmate when stating, “You have betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself.” Emily has shown no sensibility towards the family.
This whole situation had also gone over Chester’s mother’s head stating, “They told me that if they were ever going to do something, they would let me know. They didn’t let me know, and they probably knew that I wasn’t going to be very happy…. they’re trying very hard to erase the past. They’re performing songs that Chester sang. And I don’t know how the fans are taking it, but I know how I take it. And having [Armstrong] singing my son’s songs is hurtful.”.
Freshman and longtime fan of Linkin Park, Sophie O’Hara said she felt “.. the band died when Chester died. I mean, she’s good and all, but it won’t be the same.”. This seems to be a common theme among fans, “In my opinion, they should have just not broken up, but instead do kind of what the Beatles did. I know a lot of people are controversial about that with the AI for the Beatles, but they could have easily kept Chester’s voice alive in a few ways and maybe have one or two more songs to enough to end the Lincoln Park career” stated O’Hara. The Beatles final song includes AI to recreate the voice of the deceased bandmate, John Lennon.
Overall Linkin Park fans don’t seem to be thrilled with the way the band is handling the negative attention as well as the fan base. Armstrong is yet to address the family’s situation and doesn’t seem to be doing so in the near future.
Emily Armstrong performing Chester’s song live:
