The late Chester Bennington’s mom, Susan Eubanks, has revealed she feels “betrayed” by Linkin Park after they moved ahead with a brand new singer with out giving her any type of heads-up.
In a brand new interview with Rolling Stone, Eubanks stated the band informed her that they might let her know “in the event that they have been ever going to do one thing.” As a substitute, she came upon they have been reuniting with Lifeless Sara’s Emily Armstrong as co-vocalist by Google — regardless of having run into vocalist Mike Shinoda and turntablist Joe Hahn in recent times.
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“They didn’t let me know, and so they most likely knew that I [wasn’t] going to be very pleased. I’m very upset about it,” Eubanks stated. “I really feel like they’re making an attempt very onerous to erase the previous. They’re performing songs that Chester sang. And I don’t know the way the followers are taking it, however I understand how I take it. And having [Armstrong] singing my son’s songs is hurtful.”
She continued, “They stated they might let the household know in the event that they have been going to reunite. They didn’t. [Bennington’s first wife] Samantha and [son] Draven didn’t know till it was informed to the world. It was the identical for me and it harm.”
Eubanks added that it was particularly hurtful as a result of Shinoda “typically put Chester down” and as soon as informed Bennington that “these songs can be higher with a lady.”
“Chester referred to as me and stated, ‘He thinks that they’re going to exchange me with a lady.’ And I stated, ‘What do you imply?’” she recalled. “He stated Mike informed him at rehearsal that, ‘If you happen to determine you’re leaving, we’re going to exchange you with a lady.’ And Chester was dumbfounded and harm.”
Eubanks additionally informed Rolling Stone that she by no means thought Linkin Park would exchange her son within the band. As a substitute, she thought Shinoda would simply take over all of the vocals.
“I might’ve been OK with that, however I’m not OK with this, to have any individual exchange him and attempt to do what he did,” she defined. “I don’t assume that there’s anyone on the planet that has the identical voice. And after I heard that, I used to be simply so repelled that no, they’re making an attempt to do precisely what Chester did, however they’re not succeeding at it.”
It’s price noting Shinoda has stated at current live shows that Linkin Park’s comeback isn’t about “erasing the previous,” however reasonably “beginning this new chapter into the longer term.” Eubanks clearly doesn’t really feel the identical approach.
Linkin Park’s resolution to carry on Armstrong as their new co-vocalist has been met with backlash after tales of her ties to Scientology and previous help of convicted rapist Danny Masterson surfaced on-line. The Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his spouse, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler (certainly one of Masterson’s victims), have been significantly outspoken, with the latter blasting Armstrong for allegedly taking part in “the merciless intimidation” of her “fellow sister survivors.”
For her half, Armstrong issued an announcement admitting she as soon as thought-about the disgraced actor “a good friend,” however in the end “misjudged him.” Armstrong additionally stated she doesn’t “condone abuse or violence in opposition to ladies,” however didn’t point out Masterson by identify.
One in every of Chester Bennington’s different sons, Jaime Bennington, has additionally stated Linkin Park “betrayed the belief” of their fanbase.