“We’re going to replace you with a girl”: Mike Shinoda Allegedly Warned Chester Bennington about Linkin Park’s True Intentions When He Was Alive

The music industry faced a major blow when Linkin Park’s lead vocalist Chester Bennington passed away in 2017, following which the rock band went on an indefinite hiatus. But a couple of weeks ago, the band announced that they’re officially making a comeback after seven years. Interestingly, they also announced a new vocalist for the group, who would be stepping in to perform Bennington’s parts during their concerts.

Chester Bennington || Credits: Ron Schendorf from New York || CCA 2.0/Wikimedia Commons

The singer was none other than Dead Sara’s Emily Armstrong, who herself has a rather controversial past. But the major criticism in this was what Bennington’s mother, Susan Eubanks, revealed about Mike Shinoda in a recent interview, which brought the rock band’s true intentions out into the open.

Chester Bennington’s Mom Detailed a Troubling Conversation Her Son Had With Mike Shinoda

Linkin Park can easily be one of the most sought-after rock bands out there. But after lead vocalist Chester Bennington’s death in 2017, the future of the band looked uncertain. However, now they’re all set to make a comeback, and that too with Emily Armstrong leading the way.

While this update shocked the fans online, and they had mixed emotions about the same, it was Bennington’s mother, Susan Eubanks, who detailed how this news affected her.

Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington || Credits: kallerna || CCA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Eubanks felt betrayed by the rock band’s decision for a new vocalist. Further, the band members had assured her that she would be the first one to know if they ever planned to reunite. However, they failed to live up to their promise, leaving her, Bennington’s first wife, Samantha Olit, and their son, Draven, in the dark. They only got to know about the change when the news broke to the public.

Eubanks felt as if the band was trying to erase the legacy of her son by replacing him with Armstrong. Further, hearing the Dead Sara singer performing her son’s songs was very painful for her. In the midst of this, she also recounted a conversation that the late singer had with her years ago.

She said Mike Shinoda had actually told Bennington about the band’s idea of replacing him with a female vocalist if he ever left the group. Further, Shinoda told him, “If you decide you’re leaving, we’re going to replace you with a girl.” Eubanks recalled this conversation had hurt Bennington to a great deal.

Further, if the band were to continue after her son’s death, she had hoped Shinoda would have taken over the vocal duties. But instead, they announced a new addition to the group, that too without informing Bennington’s family.

Linkin Park Dominates Billboard: 50% Chart Takeover This Week!

Linkin Park has made a major splash on the U.S. music charts this week. The band’s comeback single, The Emptiness Machine, has soared to No. 1 on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart. Released earlier this month, the song marks the group’s first new music in seven years and has further energized their fan base.

Linkin Park || Credits: Javatyk || CCA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. In addition to this, the band’s older hits have also reappeared on various Billboard charts. Their fan base has been so enthusiastic that they’ve helped Linkin Park secure 50% of the spots on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart this week.

Linkin Park’s latest single debuted strongly last week, quickly climbing to No. 1 after only a partial tracking period. In its first full week, The Emptiness Machine sold about 7,800 copies, making it the band’s tenth No. 1 hit on this chart and their twenty-fifth top 10 song.

In addition to their new hit, Linkin Park’s classic track, In the End, has also returned to the top five, landing at No. 4. This song has now been on the hard rock chart for an impressive 189 weeks.