Linkin Park

Biography

Linkin Park is an American rock band formed in 1996 in Los Angeles, California, by high school friends Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Rob Bourdon. Initially performing under the name Xero, the band struggled to find commercial success and underwent several lineup changes, including the addition of DJ Joe Hahn and bassist Dave 'Phoenix' Farrell. Their breakthrough came in 1999 with the arrival of vocalist Chester Bennington, whose dynamic range and emotive delivery became central to the band's identity. The group soon rebranded as Linkin Park and released their debut album, Hybrid Theory, in 2000. The album, blending nu metal, rap, and electronic elements, became a massive commercial success, earning Diamond certification and producing hits like 'In the End' and 'Crawling.'

Over the next two decades, Linkin Park continued to innovate, releasing a string of successful albums such as Meteora, Minutes to Midnight, and A Thousand Suns, each exploring new sonic territories from alternative metal to electronica and pop. Their willingness to experiment and collaborate, including the Jay-Z mashup album Collision Course, kept them at the forefront of modern rock. The band’s lyrics often addressed themes of personal struggle, alienation, and resilience, resonating with a global audience.

Linkin Park's legacy is marked by their genre-defying sound and cultural impact, influencing a generation of artists across rock, metal, and hip-hop. The tragic death of Chester Bennington in 2017 led to a hiatus, but the band’s influence endures through their extensive discography, innovative approach, and the emotional connection they forged with fans worldwide.

Fun Facts

• The band's name 'Linkin Park' is a play on 'Lincoln Park' in Santa Monica, chosen so they could secure the corresponding internet domain.
• Their debut album Hybrid Theory is the best-selling debut of the 21st century, certified Diamond by the RIAA.
• Linkin Park launched Projekt Revolution, a touring festival that featured artists from diverse genres, including Korn and My Chemical Romance.
• Before Linkin Park, several members played together in a band called Relative Degree, which set a goal to play one show at the Roxy in West Hollywood before disbanding.

Members

• Mark Wakefield - lead vocals, original (from 1996 until 1998)
• Rob Bourdon - drums (drum set), original, percussion (from 1996 until 2017)
• Brad Delson - electric guitar, original (from 1996)
• Brad Delson - background vocals, original (from 1996)
• David Michael Farrell - bass guitar, original (from 1996)
• David Michael Farrell - background vocals, original (from 1996)
• Joseph “Joe” Hahn - original, turntable (from 1996)
• Joseph “Joe” Hahn - background vocals, original (from 1996)
• Joseph “Joe” Hahn - original, sampler (from 1996)
• Joseph “Joe” Hahn - original, synthesizer (from 1996)
• Mike Shinoda - guitar, keyboard, original, sampler, synthesizer (from 1996)
• Mike Shinoda - lead vocals, original (from 1996)
• Mike Shinoda - background vocals, original (from 1996)
• Brad Delson - bass guitar, original (from 1999 until 2000)
• Chester Bennington - lead vocals (from 1999 until 2017-07-20)
• Brad Delson - keyboard, original (from 2007 until 2017)
• Emily Armstrong - lead vocals (from 2024-09-05)
• Colin Brittain - drums (drum set) (from 2024-09-05)

Original Members

• Brad Delson - electric guitar, original
• Brad Delson - background vocals, original
• David Michael Farrell - bass guitar, original
• David Michael Farrell - background vocals, original
• Joseph “Joe” Hahn - original, turntable
• Joseph “Joe” Hahn - background vocals, original
• Joseph “Joe” Hahn - original, sampler
• Joseph “Joe” Hahn - original, synthesizer
• Mike Shinoda - guitar, keyboard, original, sampler, synthesizer
• Mike Shinoda - lead vocals, original
• Mike Shinoda - background vocals, original
• Emily Armstrong - lead vocals
• Colin Brittain - drums (drum set)

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Anthrax - Inspired Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson to pursue music after attending a concert together (General influence on early musical direction) [1991]

Key Collaborators

• Chester Bennington - Lead vocalist, joined in 1999, integral to band's sound and success (Hybrid Theory, Meteora, Minutes to Midnight, A Thousand Suns, Living Things, The Hunting Party, One More Light) [1999–2017]
• Jay-Z - Collaborated on mashup EP blending rock and hip-hop (Collision Course) [2004]
• Joe Hahn - DJ and sampler, contributed electronic and visual elements (All studio albums) [1996–present]
• Dave 'Phoenix' Farrell - Bassist, core band member (All studio albums) [1999–present]
• Rob Bourdon - Drummer, founding member (All studio albums) [1996–present]
• Brad Delson - Guitarist, founding member (All studio albums) [1996–present]

Artists Influenced

• Bring Me the Horizon - Cited Linkin Park as a major influence on their blend of metal and electronic elements (That's the Spirit, amo) [2010s–present]
• Twenty One Pilots - Inspired by Linkin Park's fusion of genres and emotional lyricism (Blurryface, Trench) [2010s–present]
• Hollywood Undead - Adopted rap-rock style influenced by Linkin Park (Swan Songs) [2008–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Numb (Meteora)
2. In the End (Hybrid Theory (Bonus Edition))
3. Faint (Meteora)
4. The Emptiness Machine (From Zero)
5. One Step Closer (Hybrid Theory (Bonus Edition))
6. What I've Done (Minutes to Midnight)
7. The Emptiness Machine
8. Heavy Is the Crown (From Zero)
9. Crawling (Hybrid Theory (Bonus Edition))
10. Somewhere I Belong (Meteora (Bonus Edition))

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #alt-rock, #alternative-metal, #alternative-rock