Linkin Park's label wanted Chester Bennington to become the only star of the band - but the late singer did not want to.
From Linkin Park's debut until Bennington's death, the vocalist played a huge role in keeping the band under the spotlight. This led their label to attempt to change Linkin Park's "DNA" by making it look like it was Bennington's solo project.
But the late crooner did not want it at all.
Mike Shinoda Applauds Chester Bennington's Heartfelt Move for Linkin Park
Linkin Park members Mike Shinoda, guitarist Brad Delson, and bassist Dave Farrell appeared in an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe, during which they remembered Bennington and his legacy.
The co-vocalist spoke about Linkin Park's success and how the band's fate almost ended a long time ago when their record label tried to change the group. According to Shinoda, the company thought of making Linkin Park like it was Bennington's solo project since he could shine more if he had the spotlight all on his own.
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"At a certain point, they kept trying to meddle in our creative process and change the DNA of the band," Shinoda said. "And at one point, there was a suggestion, 'Well, maybe you just have the singer sing and you don't do any rapping,' which to all of us was an offensive suggestion."
The label also approached Bennington separately as it tried to get his approval, telling him that he was the star of the band and that Linkin Park should revolve around him.
After hearing it, the late vocalist met his bandmates and told them what the label offered him.
Chester Bennington Chose Linkin Park
Shinoda, who was listening to Bennington speak at that time, thought that it was the "beginning of the end" of Linkin Park. The co-vocalist himself knew that the vocalist was indeed incredible and that they needed him.
However, they were left touched by Bennington's response, telling the label to "go f**k" themselves and choosing to stand by his bandmates.
Shinoda recalled that moment, which he called a galvanizing experience. Instead of thinking about the start of the end of Linkin Park, the moment reportedly became the beginning of all for one and one for all for the band.
Bennington, however, died by suicide by hanging in July 2017 at the age of 41.
