Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda’s decision to reform the band with a new singer has sparked strong reactions. The family of Chester Bennington, who passed away in July 2017, has reacted. Jaime Bennington, the son of the late former leader, took to Instagram on September 9 to openly criticize this return.
“Hey Mike! People have no problem accepting that Linkin Park is reinventing itself. They have no problem understanding how you hired your longtime friend Emily Armstrong to replace Chester Bennington, knowing what she stands for.” Jaime Bennington is referring to Armstrong’s past ties to the Church of Scientology and her support for Scientologist actor Danny Masterson, who was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison for two rapes.
Emily Armstrong, in a statement released on September 7, attempted to clarify her position. She said she had distanced herself from Masterson and had “misjudged” the situation, assuring that she had not had any contact with the comedian since the trial.
In another part of his message, Jaime Bennington accused Mike Shinoda of “quietly erasing (his) father’s life and legacy in real time, during International Suicide Prevention Month.” As a reminder, Chester Bennington had long struggled with alcohol, drugs and childhood trauma, before taking his own life.
He also criticized Shinoda for failing to recognize the impact of Armstrong’s hiring on the band’s fans, who include many victims of violence. “You betrayed the trust of decades of fans and human beings, including myself,” he added.
Jaime Bennington concluded his message by calling Mike Shinoda “senile and deaf,” a strong accusation coming from a son still scarred by the loss of his father and clearly at odds with the band’s new artistic direction.
Neither Mike Shinoda nor Linkin Park’s representatives have responded to Bennington’s comments so far. The band’s new lineup with Emily Armstrong is set to perform its first concert on September 11 in Los Angeles. The new album, titled “From Zero,” is set to be released on November 15.
