Vocalist recorded demo with a song that would only become known to the public three years after his death in 2017; Your arrival changed the band’s style
One of the great “letters in the mango” Linkin Parkband that acquired enormous popularity at the turn of the century, was the performance of Chester Bennington. The singer, who left us in 2017, had a powerful voice, responsible for giving a lot of personality to the sound of the band.
Although he was young when he began to get involved with Linkin Park – in 1999 he was 23 – Bennington had a previous job with another group: Grey Dazewith whom it recorded two albums, Wake me (1994) and … In Sun Today (1997). Both records were out of catalog due to problems with the label.
With the project closed, Chester was recommended by a colleague, Jeff Bluein March 1999, for members of a group that still seeking a singer: the Xeroin the future named Linkin Park. The vocalist joined the Mike Shinoda (voice and various instruments), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave Farrell (low), Joe Hahn (synthesizers) and Rob Bourdon (battery) in a union that conquered the world.
In 2020, Shinoda, Delson, Farrell and Hahn remembered the Linkin Park’s official channel (via Igor Miranda website) What was their reaction when he first heard Bennington’s voice. Initially, they said that the late colleague recorded a demo of “Pictureboard”music that was officially available only in the Deluxe Relance of the debut album Hybrid Theoryat the end of the year the interview was granted.
Brad Delson stated:
“I think that ‘Pictureboard’ It was the first I heard in Chester’s voice. I remember taking the tape and asking the guys what they thought, as Chester had just applied. And I was… not crying for joy, but almost crying. Like, wow! I don’t even know what I felt. ”
The guitarist also highlighted the vocal abilities of Chester Bennington already in the first demo. He said:
“It was a small and vulnerable voice in the verses, so you heard all the tones and harmonies in the heavy part. That made me impressed and we speak at the time: ‘We need to know this guy.”
Chester Bennington’s talent wasn’t just in studio
Subsequently, Mike Shinoda pointed out that Chester Bennington’s talent was proven again in the first rehearsals. The multi-instrumentalist commented:
“We were very protective of the band’s identity, what we wanted to do. We vision of what should be in the focus, and it wasn’t there yet, but we wanted to get it right. When Chester arrived, we couldn’t stop talking about how talented he was. When we made our first demos, he was still finding himself as a vocalist.”
Still during the chat, Shinoda pointed out that Bennington’s arrival made Linkin Park work, even little, in building a new identity. He stated:
“It wasn’t as if he only singing something and I was ‘wow’. It was small steps. We thought how he could express himself in a unique way and how it would fit our music. At first, I recorded him singing, then said what he thought, so it was a slow progress.”
The search for an identity
The music “She Couldn’t”recorded in the early days and released as a single only in 2020, already anticipated a little of the identity of Linkin Park, but even more for the future. Shinoda finishes:
“He doesn’t shout in music, there are no heavy guitars, and that indicated our identity later, there for 2007, 2010. It was all there, we just had to find out.”
Today, Linkin Park continues with Emily Armstrong in the vacancy left by Chester. However, always talking about his former singer, the remnants adopt a respectful tone and guarantee: he is irreplaceable.
See also:
+++ Read more: the band that prevented Linkin Park from reaching the top of the parade in the USA
+++ Read More: The 3 best songs on Linkin Park’s new album, according to Rolling Stone critic
+++ Read more: the great differential of Linkin Park’s new album, according to Brad Delson
+++ Follow Rolling Stone Brasil @rollingstonebrasil on Instagram
+++ Follow journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
