Earlier this year, whispers reached the ears of Billboard insiders, revealing that Linkin Park was embarking on a quest to find a female vocalist to spearhead their long-awaited reunion. The anticipation among fans has been palpable as the iconic rock band gears up for something monumental.
On the cusp of August 24th, Linkin Park ignited a firestorm of curiosity by unveiling a captivating 100-hour countdown timer across their social media platforms, with a tantalizing link directing fans to their official website. As the clock ticks relentlessly, LinkinPark.com showcases a YouTube livestream mirroring the countdown, accompanied by a buzzing live chat filled with eager speculations. Fans' imaginations are running wild, with many eagerly anticipating the announcement of a fresh voice to carry on the legacy of the late, beloved lead singer, Chester Bennington, who tragically took his own life in July 2017 at the age of 41.
"May they unveil the new singer, for LP deserves to perpetuate their timeless legacy," pleaded one ardent fan in the chatroom. Another enthused, "Assuming LP does have a new singer, and if it's a woman, who would you wish it to be?"
The countdown's crescendo is set to resonate on Wednesday, August 28th, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Earlier this year, Billboard was privy to whispers suggesting that Linkin Park members were contemplating a 2025 reunion tour, with the possibility of a female vocalist stepping into Bennington's formidable shoes. In April's twilight, booking agency WME was reportedly fielding offers for a potential Linkin Park tour, with Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Dave Farrell set to headline select festival dates. While the identity of the vocalist remained a mystery, whispers hinted at the band's desire to embrace a female frontwoman for their reunion.
Adding fuel to the fervor, Orgy's Jay Gordon inadvertently sparked speculation during an appearance on Wired in the Empire on KCAL 96.7. "Those are some seriously cool dudes, forming an incredible band," Gordon mused. "Their resilience through the years is commendable. It'll be a challenge without Chester, but we'll see. I've heard they've got a lady singer now. That's the grapevine talk," he shared, before clarifying in a subsequent statement that his comments had been misconstrued. "As for this Linkin Park singer rumor, I'm in the dark just like everyone else," he clarified.
Echoing previous sentiments, Shinoda, when quizzed about a potential reunion around the release of Papercuts (Singles Collection: 2000-2023) in April, offered a cryptic yet candid response. "Rumors are the whispers of anticipation. People are always curious about what's next for us, and all I can say is, when there's news to share, we'll make sure it reaches your ears directly from LinkinPark.com. Any other source? Well, you'll have to decide how much faith to put in it," he told Revolver magazine.
Linkin Park, a towering figure in the 2000s rock landscape, boasts an impressive discography that has sold over 29.4 million albums in the US alone, according to Luminate. Their 24 chart-topping songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including three top 10 hits — "In the End" (2003), "What I've Done" (2007), and "New Divide" (2009) — stand testament to their enduring appeal and musical prowess.
