Chester Bennington’s son Jaime hits out at Mike Shinoda for “betraying trust” of Linkin Park fans with Emily Armstrong
https://www.nme.com/news/music/chester-benningtons-son-jaime-hits-out-at-mike-shinoda-for-betraying-trust-of-linkin-park-fans-with-emily-armstrong-3791931
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>Armstrong joins the line-up in place of late vocalist Chester Bennington, who died in 2017. Initially, the reception was largely positive among fellow artists and fans, but controversy soon arose after it emerged that the singer seemingly had ties to Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson. This was brought to light after a message sent to Armstrong by The Mars Volta and former At The Drive-In frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala recirculated over the weekend.
Jaime also claims Chester didnt commit Suicide (look at his insta bio). Can´t take him seriously
Linkin Park has nothing to stand on now that Chester’s family has come out against this and saying what all us fans have been saying — this is a disgrace to Chester’s memory.
Shinoda and the band obviously don’t care. And they don’t have to. Sadly, enough people will probably still listen to them that they can afford to lose dedicated fans. And I’m sure the outrage and controversy only help get their new music out there.
I understand that it’s their lives, not ours. It’s just a shame that they don’t have love and respect for Bennington’s legacy or for the fans that still miss him. The Linkin Park we knew is gone forever. This band is something very different.
Feels like the only reason they kept the name was so that they could use the full catalog of material.
1. I don’t trust anything his son says
2. None of us know what Chester would of wanted that’s what makes Linkin park coming back even more impressive regardless
3. Mike Shinoda is more linkin park then anyone speaking out against this is. He’s the original dude and if he approves of Emily then that’s it
His son seems mentally unwell so I would take this with a huge grain of salt. No one can know what Chester would or would not have wanted for the band, and not to sound cold but I think that’s up to its living members. I’ve never heard of Emily Armstrong before but I liked the song The Emptiness Machine they released recently.
This is the deepest cut so far and fuck everyone who overlooked this _minor malfeasance_ and shat all over Chester’s memory
Honestly just let the band be done. We’ve gone this long without them I think we can stand to continue this way. Just feels like a money grab.
With all due respect, who cares what Chester‘s family thinks? They were never part of the band and Chester ain’t around anymore.
The fact that they’re having this woman sing songs about Chester’s struggles when Scientology doesn’t believe in treating mental health issues is a disgraceful choice. It’s truly so gross and disrespectful not only to Chester but to the people who connect with his words on a personal level.
Scientologists should be banned everywhere
What did this new woman do that nobody likes her?
Linkin park is nothing without Chester and was only relevant when he was alive
I don’t mind them trying to continue but honestly finding someone that could actually sound like Chester would have been better. This lady can’t do the old songs any justice and there’s plenty of people out there, woman included that could actually perform the old music a lot better than this person. Such an odd choice imo.
This was my immediate reaction to hearing that they were reuniting. They should’ve renamed the band and left Chester’s legacy alone and in tact.
Why is it a disgrace to his memory?
In what way?
Personally, I believe that simply renaming the band would have resolved the issue. Reforming in this way feels similar to if Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, and Krist Novoselic had continued and called themselves Nirvana 2.0. It seems like they’re trying to leverage the credibility of the Linkin Park name instead of rebranding and creating something original. Calling the new lineup “Linkin Park 2.0” could imply that it’s a new and improved version of the band. They should definitely keep making music, but this isn’t Linkin Park, so perhaps it shouldn’t carry that name.
Wow when the family gets involved you know you did something bad.
Looking forward to a quick reversal.
I know it’s a band, but the band was Chester for all intents and purposes. Even thinking of having another singer just sounds off unless it was someone already with the band or someone very close to all of them.
Mike Shinoda is really holding onto these 30 year old songs like dude let it go
Mike Shinoda is very talented and clever. He could’ve gracefully retired LP and formed a new band with the remaining members and Emily. I think this would have been respectful to Chester’s memory and still given LP fans something new to be excited about. The new song is actually good, but hearing her sing the old songs is torture. Sorry.
They should have left the band alone after Chester. I had no idea the band was back together until I read about this whole controversy which I didn’t care for at all but now I’m like “just stay dead”.
LP fans weren’t satisfied after LP moved on from nu-metal. They bitched and moaned with each new album that didn’t sound like Hybrid Theory or Meteora. LP fans will never be satisfied.
P.S.: Rob Bourdon left the band, as well.
I did say they should hire a woman. Just that it should be me.
Is not so much that she supported masterson, is that Scientology wants to replace mental health science and services with the writings and ideas of a mediocre sci-fi author.
Nobody talks about that shit.
When Chester died, the band was over. I get it, a band is not just the lead singer.
But when your vocalist is the biggest draw, as he could both sing and scream amazingly well, it’s over. I get it, many bands continued on after the lead singer died. Greats like Freddie Mercury for instance. I am sure Queen is doing OK with Lambert, but name 3 songs they created that were hits and beloved. I can’t even name 1 as Freddie Mercury WAS Queen.
Linkin Park had many years and albums together. They had amazing successes. They should let the legacy end with Chester’s passing. And they shouldn’t have chosen a singer who doesn’t believe Mental Health problems are real. And they certainly should not let her sing the songs that are about those issues.
Armstrong has the scream, but she does not have the melody that Chester brought. I was only a fan of LP for Chester’s vocals. No offense to Shinoda, but I am not really a fan of his style at all.
And sadly, when Chris Cornell killed himself in May 2017, it destroyed Chester. Chris and Chester were good friends and Chester idolized him. It’s no coincidence Chester killed himself on what would have been Chris Cornell’s 53rd birthday on July 20th 2017.
What I am saying is, sometimes when the lead singer dies, it’s ok to let the music end. It’s ok for the rest of LP to go do something else. And I know that’s harsh but VERY seldom can the new singer match up to the quality of the previous singer. I am not comparing Armstrong to Chester. But you can’t help but see that her singing their older songs is wrong and also not nearly as good.
For me LP died with Chester and I was a fan up to and includ8ng “One More Light.” Just my 2 cents and sorry if someone is offended by me saying Chester made LP good. But he did. Their unreleased demo stuff before Chester joined was not good at all.
I gave it a chance and couldn’t get into it.
The Mars Volta band member pointed out that since Emily is a Scientologist, that they’re most likely gonna start giving out pamphlets and advertising at their shows.
She also supported Danny Masterson so I’m not exactly gonna be onboard for this anytime soon.
If Chester is singing about drug addiction is it ok if she isn’t a drug addict
They’re garbage, the new lead singer is garbage. Ignore them, don’t give them money, and they’ll go away
Does she even sound like Chester?
Just change the name and start over, should have done that from the beginning if you didn’t have their blessing or knew Armstrong’s drama
Damn this makes me sad
Everybody’s milking this issue huh?
All everyone can do is, if they are true to their word and don’t support this, will not buy tickets and protest the concerts/tour. 🤷♂️
Linkin Park is literally the sound of adolescent angst. How could you even grow old and mature performing this ?