Linkin Park Member Was Told To Fire Mike Shinoda

Late Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington once claimed during an interview with Kerrang! that he was told he’s “the star” and that Linkin Park should be his band. Mike Shinoda would be relegated to just being the keyboard player or, worse, jettisoned. Bennington resisted immediately:

“I said, ‘F*** you guys. Are you serious? I’ve only just got into the band, and you’re telling me to start a coup against the guy who writes all the music? It’s his band. If he could sing, I wouldn’t have a job. You f***ing idiots, what’s wrong with you?’

This has resurfaced at a time when Linkin Park reunited with a new lineup after the tragic passing of Chester Bennington, in 2017. They recently released a new single titled “The Emptiness Machine” from their upcoming album From Zero which marks the band’s first release of new music in several years.

The addition of Emily Armstrong to the band garnered mixed reactions from the fans and Mike Shinoda has also addressed the same. Meanwhile, she has received support from Chester’s widow, Talinda Bennington. She seemingly approved of the band’s choice to replace Chester. But, Chester’s son, Jamie Bennington expressed his distaste.

Chester Bennington’s mother, Susan Eubanks. Chester’s mother is “upset” over Linkin Park’s decision to replace Chester with Emily. During an interview with Rolling Stone, Susan Eubanks claimed that the nu-metal band had previously assured her that she would be notified about any future changes should its members continue performing as a group. However, Eubanks felt “betrayed” as the band, hired Emily as Bennington’s replacement.

Eubanks noted that Bennington’s first wife, Samantha Marie Olit, and their son Draven (22), were also unaware that Linkin Park were reuniting with Armstrong until they announced it to the world. She then alleged that over the last couple of years, both Joe Hahn and Mike Shinoda personally made a promise to her that they would fill her in on any happenings with Linkin Park.