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When Linkin Park announced Emily Armstrong as their new singer on September 5, the reactions were all over the grid: some fans were elated that they were back while others took issue with their choice in Chester Bennington's successor, mainly due to her ties with Scientology and actor Danny Masterson, who was convicted of rape.
Even Bennington's family members seem to be on opposite sides. His son Jaime, whom he shared with his former partner Elka Brand, slammed Linkin Park founding member Mike Shinoda for his role in hiring Armstrong, declaring: “You have betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself. We trusted you to be the bigger better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention. Now you’re just senile and tone deaf.” Conversely, his widow Talinda seemingly showed support for the singer by responding to one of her Instagram posts with a series of fire emojis.
Now, Gene Simmons is weighing in on the matter. “It’s great. I listened. I saw some videos. The new female singer, great. She fits the band. She sounds great and good luck to them," the former KISS bassist told Forbes. "Life is short. Go out there and live it up, enjoy it. Linkin Park got fans, they want to hear the songs and the music. Why not? There are bands that tour, Lynyrd Skynyrd, lots of bands that barely have any original members or no original members. People want to hear those songs.”
He also showed his support for Linkin Park choosing a female vocalist. “All these 'rules.' Genesis, they lose Peter Gabriel, it’s over. Nope. Once Gabriel left, Genesis became a stadium band with a drummer who came up from the back. All those ‘rules,’ who made the rules anyway? In rock and roll, there are no rules.”
As for Armstrong's ties to Scientology, Simmons shrugged that off as well. “I know all about Scientology. I studied [author and Scientology founder] L. Ron Hubbard […] the thetans and the energy leftover when the universe was created, that we all have ‘theta’ within us. I get it. I understand and have read deeply into that," he admitted. "I’m not a follower, but good luck. Life is short. Believe whatever you want, worship a rock or an alien, whatever floats your boat."
The bottom line? “The great silent majority – I don’t mean politically – the people who make things happen, buy tickets," Simmons said bluntly. "So, if they – and they will – sell lots of tickets, Linkin Park, then the public has spoken. End of story. And they will do great.”
Armstrong joins classic members Shinoda (co-vocalist, multi-instrumentalist), Joe Hahn (turntablist), Brad Delson (guitar), and Phoenix (bass), along with new drummer Colin Brittain (original drummer Rob Bourdon is not involved in the reunion). Together, they're releasing a new album called From Zero on November 15 and will be heading out on a worldwide tour later this month, playing the United States, Germany, England, South Korea, and Colombia.