Linkin Park has been on a hiatus ever since the frontman Chester Bennington tragically passed away in 2017. Fans have been wondering who could fill the void, and now fans are campaigning for it to be Taylor Momsen or Hayley Williams.
The potential for a Linkin Park reunion is quite exciting. However, doubt remains if they can fill the void left by Bennington. Rumors are floating that the band might recruit a female lead vocalist to step in, which would bring a massive change to their sound. While this would be a bold move, it could also be a way for the band to honor Bennington’s legacy while moving forward in a new direction.
Taylor Momsen to join Linkin Park?
Taylor Momsen, frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless, recently stirred the pot with a cryptic tweet:
“So much to share, this week I’ll be posting a lot…this is a new beginning…thank you AC/DC with all our hearts, can’t be more grateful ⚡️⚡️⚡️ the Pretty Reckless has a lot of change coming to it…get ready 🦇❤️”
So much to share, this week I’ll be posting a lot…this is a new beginning…thank you AC/DC with all our hearts, can’t be more grateful ⚡️⚡️⚡️ the Pretty Reckless has a lot of change coming to it…get ready 🦇❤️ pic.twitter.com/UdO5pzZpx6
— Taylor Momsen (@taylormomsen) August 19, 2024
This message has led fans to speculate that Momsen might be hinting at joining Linkin Park as their new vocalist. Her powerful voice and stage presence could bring fresh energy to the band, making her a strong candidate. The Pretty Reckless frontwoman recently thanked AC/DC for having them on the road with them. The Pretty Reckless was AC/DC’s European tour opener and the tour concluded earlier this month.
Hayley Williams could be another choice
Another name floating around is Hayley Williams, the dynamic lead singer of Paramore. Known for her incredible vocal range and emotional depth, Williams could also be an excellent fit for Linkin Park.
Hayley Williams’ Paramore recently played their opening set at Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour on Saturday August 17. During the show, Williams gave a shout-out to fellow support act Suki Waterhouse’s Twilight-starring fiancé and performed the band’s 2008 track “Decode.”
In January 2021, Williams teased a project titled Flowers for Vases / Descansos. She released the album on February 5, 2021. Last year, Williams was featured on Taylor Swift’s re-recorded album, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), on the song “Castles Crumbling”.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, Paramore were announced as the ambassador for Record Store Day 2024 and they confirmed that they would continue as an independent band after the end of their contract with Atlantic Records. Earlier this year, the band dropped a music video for “Thick Skull.”
While nothing has been confirmed, the possibility of either Taylor Momsen or Hayley Williams joining Linkin Park is certainly intriguing. Fans will have to wait and see who steps up to take on the challenging role of leading one of rock’s most iconic bands.
Some reports have suggested that a reunion might be taking place soon. As per a recent report from Billboard, the band’s core members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Dave “Phoenix” Farrell are gearing up for a reunion tour that could kick off in 2025. Joe Hahn is seemingly also involved.
Linkin Park have also launched a 100-hour countdown timer on their official website and social media accounts and it has sparked speculation about what the band is set to announce. The website URL has also been updated to include the symbol ‘ø’ which is also the title of the YouTube video hosting the countdown timer. The timer is set to hit zero on Wednesday, August 28.
