The return of Linkin Park, now led by singer Emily Armstrong, has sparked many reactions in the world of rock. Among the most unexpected voices, that of Gene Simmons, the iconic bassist of Kiss, who expressed his support for this new formation during an interview with Derek Scancarelli of Forbes. Simmons particularly praised the audacity of the group to have chosen a singer to succeed the late Chester Bennington.
“I listened and saw some videos. The new singer is great! She fits the band perfectly. She has a great voice and I wish them good luck.”Simmons said. “Life is short. Go out, have fun, enjoy it. Linkin Park fans want to hear these songs. Why not keep going?”
Linkin Park Breaks Conventions with Female Singer
The announcement of Linkin Park’s return with Emily Armstrong came as a surprise to many, especially since the band decided to go with a female vocalist instead of looking for a male replacement who would emulate Bennington’s unique voice. For Simmons, the move is a perfect example of rock’s lack of rules. He compared the transition to other iconic bands like AC/DC and Van Halen, who have survived and even thrived after replacing legendary vocalists.
“Rules? Who made the rules? In Rock ‘N’ Roll, there are no rules.”Simmons said. “Look at AC/DC. Everyone thought they wouldn’t survive without Bon Scott, but they became even bigger with Brian Johnson. Same with Van Halen: when David Lee Roth left, a lot of people thought that was the end, but with Sammy Hagar, they literally evolved.”
Also read: Talinda Bennington’s Reaction to Linkin Park Returning with New Singer
Controversy surrounding Scientology
Despite the praise for Armstrong, criticism has emerged due to his ties to Scientology, a controversial “religion.” When asked about it, Gene Simmons revealed that he had studied the writings of L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology’s founder, but insisted that everyone is free to believe whatever they want. “I know everything about Scientology”he said. “I am not a follower, but good luck to them. Life is short. Believe in what you want, whether it is a rock or an alien.”
Linkin Park’s promising future
As for Linkin Park’s future, Simmons is confident the band will make a strong comeback, despite criticism from some fans. “No matter what the internet says, the people who make the most noise are often not the most numerous.”he added. “The real answer will come from ticket sales. And they will sell a lot of them. The public will have spoken. And they will do a good job.”
Gene Simmons’ enthusiastic support comes as Linkin Park officially kicked off their comeback tour on September 11 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.
