Linkin Park is an American rock band that formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The founding members were Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon, and Brad Delson, who were high school friends. They were later joined by Joe Hahn, Dave "Phoenix" Farrell, and Mark Wakefield, and the band was originally called Xero. After Wakefield's departure, the band recruited Chester Bennington as the lead vocalist in 1999. The band then changed its name to Hybrid Theory before settling on Linkin Park, a play on Santa Monica's Lincoln Park.
Breakthrough with Hybrid Theory and Meteora
Linkin Park rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, released on October 24, 2000. The album was a massive commercial success, selling over 4.8 million copies in its first year and becoming the best-selling album of 2001. It featured hit singles like "One Step Closer," "Crawling," and "In the End." Hybrid Theory was certified Diamond by the RIAA. Their second album, Meteora (2003), continued their success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It included hit singles such as "Somewhere I Belong," "Faint," and "Numb."
Evolution of Sound and Later Albums
Over the years, Linkin Park's music evolved, incorporating more electronic and pop elements. Their third album, Minutes to Midnight (2007), marked a departure from their nu-metal sound. They continued to experiment with their sound on subsequent albums, including A Thousand Suns (2010), a concept album, and Living Things (2012). Their sixth album, The Hunting Party (2014), saw a return to a heavier rock sound, while their seventh, One More Light (2017), was a more pop-oriented record.
Chester Bennington's Death and Hiatus
The band's future was uncertain after the tragic death of lead singer Chester Bennington by suicide on July 20, 2017. Following his death, Linkin Park went on an indefinite hiatus. In October 2017, the band held a tribute concert for Bennington. During the hiatus, the band released 20th-anniversary editions of Hybrid Theory and Meteora.
Reformation and New Chapter
In September 2024, Linkin Park announced their reformation with new members Emily Armstrong as co-lead vocalist and Colin Brittain as the drummer, replacing Rob Bourdon. The band released a new single, "The Emptiness Machine," and announced their eighth studio album, From Zero, which was released on November 15, 2024. The album title is a reference to their original band name, Xero. The band embarked on a world tour to support the new album.
Musical Style and Legacy
Linkin Park's music is broadly categorized as alternative rock, nu-metal, and rap rock, particularly in their earlier work, which featured a blend of heavy metal and hip hop. Their later music incorporated more electronic and pop influences. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of the 21st century. They have won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards.