Linkin Park’s biggest lineup change came on September 5, 2024, when the band announced its comeback with two new members: vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain. They replaced the late Chester Bennington, who died in 2017, and drummer Rob Bourdon, who chose not to take part in the reunion. The rest of the band, Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn and Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, remained.
That was not the band’s first change. Here is every Linkin Park lineup change in order, from the Xero days to today.
1996: The Xero Line-Up
Linkin Park was founded by three friends from Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, California: Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon and Brad Delson. They recruited Joe Hahn, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell and singer Mark Wakefield, and called the band Xero.
1998–1999: Why Wakefield Left and Who Replaced Him
After the band failed to land a record deal, Mark Wakefield left. In March 1999 the band recruited Chester Bennington, a singer from Arizona formerly of Grey Daze, recommended by A&R executive Jeff Blue. The band then changed its name from Xero to Hybrid Theory, and later to Linkin Park.
1999–2000: The Bass Player Changes
Farrell was away from the band from 1999 to 2000. Kyle Christner played bass on a temporary basis in 1999, and in October 1999 he was replaced by Scott Koziol and Ian Hornbeck, who shared bass duties with Delson on recordings. Farrell returned in 2000.
2000–2017: The Classic Line-Up
From 2000 the line-up was stable for seven studio albums, from Hybrid Theory (2000) to One More Light (2017):
- Chester Bennington – lead vocals
- Mike Shinoda – vocals, rap, keyboards, rhythm guitar
- Brad Delson – lead guitar
- Dave “Phoenix” Farrell – bass
- Joe Hahn – turntables, samples, programming
- Rob Bourdon – drums
2017–2023: The Hiatus Years After Bennington’s Death
Chester Bennington died on July 20, 2017, and Linkin Park went on hiatus. Shinoda, Farrell and Hahn quietly began working on new music; by 2019 Delson had returned, but Bourdon chose not to participate. In 2019 the band met Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong and began working with her and other musicians, including drummer Colin Brittain.
2024: Who Joined the Band
In 2023 the band asked Armstrong and Brittain to re-form Linkin Park with them. At a livestreamed event on September 5, 2024, the band announced its comeback with both as members and released “The Emptiness Machine”, the lead single from the eighth album From Zero, which came out on November 15, 2024.
2024–Present: Delson Steps Back from Touring
Alex Feder played lead guitar in Delson’s place at the comeback event, and Delson then announced that he would withdraw from touring to concentrate on the behind-the-scenes side of the band. He remains a member, and Feder plays with the band as a touring musician.
Current Linkin Park Members
- Mike Shinoda – lead and rap vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar
- Emily Armstrong – lead vocals (2023–present)
- Brad Delson – lead guitar (not touring)
- Dave “Phoenix” Farrell – bass
- Joe Hahn – turntables, samplers, programming
- Colin Brittain – drums (2023–present)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who replaced Chester Bennington in Linkin Park? Emily Armstrong, formerly of Dead Sara, announced as co-lead vocalist on September 5, 2024.
- Why is Rob Bourdon not in Linkin Park? He chose not to participate when the band began working together again; Colin Brittain is now the drummer.
- Who was Linkin Park’s first singer? Mark Wakefield, when the band was called Xero.
- Is Brad Delson still in Linkin Park? Yes, but he withdrew from touring; Alex Feder plays guitar live.
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