- Chester Bennington's son voices disapproval of his father's return, claiming "his legacy is annihilated".
Jamie Bennington, child of the late Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington, has criticized the band's resurrection, asserting that Mike Shinoda has "effectively annihilated the existence and heritage of my father in real-time." According to him, Shinoda is "senile and tone-deaf."
Controversial Return of Linkin Park
Linkin Park's reappearance in early September stirred diverse sentiments. The band unveiled their comeback through a live-stream concert to their countless international followers and revealed that Emily Armstrong, lead singer of rock ensemble Dead Sara, would collaborate with Mike Shinoda as the band's second vocalist. However, many fans were displeased with this decision due to Armstrong's former affiliations with Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
On September 6, Armstrong addressed these grievances in a statement. She had attended a court hearing with Masterson, whom she considered a friend, several years ago. "Shortly thereafter, I came to the realization that I should not have done that. I have not spoken to him since," she penned. She clarified, "I hold no tolerance for abuse or violence towards women, and I express my empathy towards the victims of such crimes."
"Wiped Out the Life and Legacy of My Father"
Jamie Bennington implicates Shinoda for the decision to bring on the new vocalist: "You've obliterated the existence and legacy of my father in real-time - during the global commemoration of Suicide Prevention Month. You disregard the potential impact that Emily's ideologies will have on the fanbase. There's no explicit declaration backing the victims of violence within our fanbase," Jamie asserted. He added, "You've misused the trust that fans and supporters, including myself, have bestowed upon you for decades. We looked up to you to be the moral exemplar. The benevolent figurehead. Now, you're just senile and out of touch."
"I Appreciate It Every Time I Hear It"
Mike Shinoda, who recently garnered acclaim for the band's return and the inclusion of Emily Armstrong as their new vocalist, said, "Emily has consistently managed to hit the notes and pound out the lyrics." He acknowledges that fans will require time to adjust to the change. "The question will be, 'How will it resonate with the public?' I can't predict how it will be received. But I can appreciate it when I listen to it." It will be intriguing to observe how fans respond to the band's initial album and live concerts seven years after Chester Bennington's demise. Linkin Park's inaugural performance with vocalist Emily Armstrong is scheduled for September 11 in Los Angeles, and their debut album, "From Zero," will be released on November 15.
Pictures and stories from the colorful world of celebrities
Despite Jamie Bennington's criticism of Mike Shinoda for bringing Emily Armstrong into Linkin Park, causing him to feel that his father's legacy is being erased, the band continues their comeback with Armstrong as their second vocalist. Linkin Park, with their new lineup, will perform in Los Angeles on September 11, and their debut album, "From Zero," is set to release on November 15.
