The mother of the late Chester Bennington, Susan Eubanks, has revealed she feels “betrayed” by Linkin Park after they went ahead with a new singer without giving her any warning.
In a new interview with Rolling StoneEubanks said the band told him they would let him know “if they were ever going to do anything.” Instead, he learned they were reuniting with Dead Sara’s Emily Armstrong as co-vocalist through Google, despite having only run into vocalist Mike Shinoda and turntablist Joe Hahn in recent years.
“They didn't let me know, and they probably knew that I… [wasn’t] “I’m going to be very happy. I’m very upset about it,” Eubanks said. “I feel like they’re trying very hard to erase the past. They’re playing songs that Chester sang. And I don’t know how the fans are taking it, but I know how I take it. And to have [Armstrong] “Singing my son’s songs is hurtful.”
She continued: “They said they would let the family know if they were going to meet. They didn’t. [Bennington’s first wife] Samantha and [son] Draven didn't know until he told the world. The same thing happened to me and it hurt me.”
Eubanks added that it was especially painful because Shinoda “often put Chester down” and once told Bennington that “these songs would be better with a girl.”
“Chester called me and said, ‘He thinks I’m going to be replaced by a girl. ’ And I said, ‘What do you mean? ’” she recalled. “He said Mike told him in rehearsal, ‘If you decide to leave, we’re going to replace you with a girl. ’ And Chester was shocked and hurt.”
Eubanks also said Rolling Stone that he never thought Linkin Park would replace his son in the band. Instead, he thought Shinoda would simply take over all the vocals.
“I would have been fine with that, but I don’t think it’s right that someone is replacing him and trying to do what he did,” she explained. “I don’t think there’s anyone in the world who has the same voice. And when I heard that, I was so repulsed that no, they’re trying to do exactly what Chester did, but they’re not succeeding.”
It's worth noting that Shinoda has said at recent concerts that Linkin Park's comeback isn't about “erasing the past,” but rather “starting this new chapter into the future.” Eubanks clearly doesn't feel the same way.
Linkin Park's decision to bring in Armstrong as their new co-lead singer has been met with criticism after stories surfaced online about his ties to Scientology and his past support of convicted rapist Danny Masterson. Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife Chrissie Carnell-Bixler (one of Masterson's victims) have been particularly outspoken, with the latter criticising Armstrong for allegedly taking part in “the cruel bullying” of her “surviving sisters”.
For his part, Armstrong issued a statement admitting that he once considered the disgraced actor “a friend” but ultimately “misjudged” him. Armstrong also said he does not “condone abuse or violence against women,” but did not mention Masterson by name.
One of Chester Bennington's other sons, Jaime Bennington, has also said that Linkin Park “betrayed the trust” from their fan base.
thanks to our partners at consequence.net
