Mike Shinoda on Linkin Park's Reunion and Emily Armstrong
Mike Shinoda said that fan reaction to Emily Armstrong has been overwhelmingly positive. He emphasized that he never wanted to reunite Linkin Park with a vocalist who would try to imitate the late Chester Bennington.
Recognizing Chester Bennington as an irreplaceable and unique figure, Shinoda and the band seem pleased with their choice of Armstrong as the new frontwoman, as fans continue to support the band's comeback.
Armstrong's Approach to the Legacy
Shinoda explained in an interview with Recitales en Argentina that Emily Armstrong honors Chester's memory and the band's legacy while expressing herself authentically:
"She works really hard, and she does a great job on these songs. I think the most important thing is that she doesn't try to imitate Chester."
Shinoda's Views on Imitation
He expressed discomfort with the idea of someone pretending to be Chester Bennington on stage:
"If we were to be on stage with somebody who was pretending to be him, it would be so fucking weird. I'm fine with people who do that. There are cover bands and stuff. I don't have a problem with them at all. I just don't want that to be our band. They can do that in their band."
In essence, Shinoda wants Linkin Park’s reunion to respect the band's identity by avoiding imitation and instead celebrating its evolution.
Author's summary: Mike Shinoda highlights the importance of genuine tribute over imitation as Linkin Park reunites with Emily Armstrong, preserving the band’s identity and legacy authentically.