Regarding Linkin Park’s reunion with new lead vocalist Emily Armstrong, Chester Bennington’s mother has spoken out, saying she was never informed about the band’s upcoming tour or new songs.
On July 20, 2017, Bennington, the lead singer of the legendary Crawling Hitmakers, committed suicide at the age of 41. It was revealed earlier this month that 38-year-old Armstrong has joined the group with plans for a new album and tour.
Susan Eubanks, Bennington’s mother, has accused the band of breaking their pledge to inform her if they intended to get back together, saying she only learned about Armstrong “on Google” and that the “betrayal” had left her in tears.
She says neither turntablist Joe Hahn nor rapper Mike Shinoda informed her that a reunion was imminent, despite their numerous run-ins in previous years.
She said, “I feel betrayed,” to Rolling Stone. They assured me that they would notify me if they ever took any action. They probably knew I wouldn’t be happy, which is why they didn’t tell me. It really irritates me.
They seem to be making a concerted effort to forget the past. Chester’s songs are being performed. I’m not sure how the fans are feeling about it, but I know how I feel. Additionally, it hurts to hear [Armstrong] sing my son’s music.
When she last saw Hahn, “four or five years ago,” he “promised her” that he would keep her informed of any developments with the band, but he also stated that he “didn’t have any intention of starting the band back up,” according to her.
Susan claims to have met Shinoda two years ago and that although he did get in touch with Chester’s widow Samantha and son Draven when the band was planning to release new songs featuring Chester, he kept the reunion a secret from her.
“I learned about Emily Armstrong joining the band on Google,” Susan stated, expressing her shock at the news of Armstrong’s new lead singer position. Linkin Park is frequently the first result that appears when I search for something on Google. And the whole “We have an announcement” stuff caught my attention. If you search for anything on Google, they were at the top for the entire week.
During the band’s broadcast, Susan criticized Armstrong’s vocal skills, claiming that she was “screeching her way through a very high note.” And I left as quickly as I possibly could.
She stated that she believed Shinoda would be the singer if the band ever got back together because Chester had “taught him.”
Susan further asserts that Shinoda frequently “put Chester down” and threatened to replace him with a “girl.”
Chester allegedly called her and said that Mike had warned him at rehearsal that “we’re going to replace you with a girl if you decide you’re leaving.”
Susan stated that she feels deceived by Linkin Park’s claimed breach of their pledge to her, and that is her one message to them.
“Don’t bother putting out Chester’s songs with Emily singing them,” she continued.
Linkin Park representatives have been contacted by DailyMail.com for comment.
“We are excited to be back out here,” Shinoda stated at a recent performance. Erasing the past is not the goal. It’s about coming out here for each and every one of you and beginning this new chapter in the future.
Rob Bourdon ‘decided to move away’ from the band, according to the AP, and Colin Brittain took his place as drummer in the new Linkin Park lineup.