Rock & Metal

Mike Shinoda Admits Chester Bennington Saved Him From Being Fired From Linkin Park

Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Chester Bennington’s loyalty to Linkin Park is a remarkable chapter in the band’s journey, especially when you consider the enormous impact their debut album, Hybrid Theory, had on music history. During a recent appearance on Mythical Kitchens’ Last Meals podcast, Mike Shinoda recounted a pivotal moment that could have drastically altered the band’s trajectory. The story sheds light on the struggles Linkin Park faced in the early days and how Chester’s unwavering commitment kept them united.

Shinoda revealed that during the making of Hybrid Theory, their label was unsure about the band’s direction. The executives even attempted to isolate Chester from the group, convincing him that the project would be better if it revolved solely around him. According to Shinoda, they told Chester, “This is all about you. You’re the star here. Let’s just build this project around you because what you guys are making, we don’t get it.”

This could have been a turning point for Chester, as he was the newest member of the band and had every reason to take the opportunity. However, Chester believed in the idea of a band—a group of people working together toward a shared vision. Shinoda said, “Chester had come into the band with the understanding that he’s part of a band. I felt like what he wanted was that he liked the band, he wanted to be part of the band, and he had way more loyalty to us than he did to them.”

Instead of going along with the label’s plan, Chester immediately returned to his bandmates to share what had happened. He told them about the conversation and, when asked what he said in response, Chester’s reply was simple and defiant: “I told them to go fck themselves.”* This act of solidarity kept the band intact and proved to be a defining moment in their journey. It also cemented Chester’s place as not just the lead vocalist but as a loyal and integral part of the Linkin Park family.

Mike Shinoda also touched on how challenging the Hybrid Theory recording process was for the band. In a separate interview with ALT 98.7 FM, he shared that while they were proud of the music they were creating, the cultural environment surrounding the production was miserable. Shinoda said, “The band was very aligned on what we wanted to make, but the label was fighting us every day; people kept throwing in opinions about, ‘Oh, it shouldn’t be this. It shouldn’t be that.’” He recalled that there were even suggestions to remove all rapping and hip-hop influences from the album—a defining characteristic of Linkin Park’s sound. Despite this, the band held their ground and created an album that would go on to become a landmark in the rock and nu-metal genres.

Hybrid Theory was released in October 2000 and became an instant success, earning critical and commercial acclaim. The band’s ability to push through adversity and stay true to their vision resulted in an album that resonated with millions around the world. The challenges they faced also influenced their approach to their follow-up record, Meteora, with Shinoda reflecting, “The process for ‘Hybrid Theory’ sucked, and we were determined not to go through that again.”

As Linkin Park prepares to embark on their highly anticipated From Zero world tour, starting on January 31 in Mexico City, their legacy remains stronger than ever. With opening acts like Queens of the Stone Age, Spiritbox, and AFI, the tour is set to be a monumental celebration of the band’s career and their enduring impact on fans worldwide. Chester’s loyalty and integrity during those formative years undoubtedly played a huge role in shaping the band’s legacy, reminding us of the power of trust, unity, and staying true to one’s principles.

I'm Emma. I Love rock music, doing guitar reviews, and making food. I love writing works because it is the best way to provide information to people.

Write A Comment