A PUNK rock icon has responded to claims he’s going to be the new singer for Linkin Park.
Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley has taken to social media to address speculation he is joining the nu-metallers amid rumours the band is preparing to return seven years after former frontman tragically took his own life.
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Derek’s group is on the victory lap of a successful 28 year career and will call it a day once it’s wrapped up 2024/25 tour dates.
Earlier this week he teased a big announcement at the same time Linkin Park issued a countdown clock on its socials and Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher sent fans into a frenzy by sharing a specific date and time online, which turned out to be when they confirmed their reunion.
As a result, fans were convinced Deryck would be switching bands.
However, that’s not the case and he wrote in a statement: “I feel the need to dispel some current rumours.
“It’s been brought to my attention that many people think I could be joining a reuniting band. But I just want to say, despite popular belief, I am not joining Oasis… or Linkin Park. Or any other band for that matter.
“I have my own ‘tour and book’ announcement that I will now move to the end of the week, ahead of our US tour. I do look forward to seeing whatever both these amazing bands do in the future.”
Linkin Park – Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson and Dave Farrell – has been largely inactive since former singer Chester Bennington’s shock death.
A regenerating countdown along with the words “it’s only a matter of time…” has been posted on its Instagram account, leading fans to believe a return is imminent.
The band has sold more than 100 million records and was among the biggest in the world before its hiatus.
Debut album Hybrid Theory, which features hard rock anthems Papercut and In The End, shot it to stardom in 2000.
It was followed by the even more successful Meteora, before the band reimagined their sound for third record Minutes To Midnight.
Singer Chester took his own life in 2017 aged just 41.
The father-of-six died just months after close pal and fellow rocker Chris Cornell also died by suicide.
Chester’s wife Talinda said in the aftermath: “One week ago, I lost my soulmate and my children lost their hero – their Daddy. We had a fairytale life and now it has turned into some sick Shakespearean tragedy.
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Chester Bennington’s death
CHESTER Bennington, lead singer of rock band Linkin Park, died aged 41.
The Los Angeles County coroner confirmed the death of the star – with TMZ reporting he was found dead in a private residence in Palo Verdes Estates, Los Angeles.
His body was discovered just before 9am. It is believed the singer hanged himself and was found by an employee.
His band Linkin Park produced rock songs including Numb and Breaking the Habit, with the lyrics often focused on personal struggle, depression and addiction.
One of the band’s latest singles before his death, Heavy, focused on the topic of depression.
It contained haunting lyrics including: “I don’t like my mind right now // Stacking up problems that are so unnecessary // Wish that I could slow things down.”
In the chorus, Chester talks about how he is dragging around issues that are bringing him down, before chillingly adding: “If I just let go, I’d be set free.”
However, Chester’s final messages to fans were an optimistic look into the future.
The dad-of-six re-tweeted an image of himself along with bandmate Mike Shinoda and rappers Watsky and Chukwudi Hodge in the recording studio.
He also posted a separate tweet saying his new “life’s purpose is one of love and understanding” and in another he called for an end to hate.
“How do I move on? How do I pick up my shattered soul? The only answer I know is to raise our babies with every ounce of love I have left.
“I want to let my community and the fans worldwide know that we feel your love. We feel your loss as well.
“My babies are so young to have lost their daddy. And I know that all of you will help keep his memory alive.”
Back in 2019 Shinoda was asked by Blabbermouth whether Linkin Park could continue without Chester.
He said: “I think it has to happen naturally. And if we find somebody that’s a great person that we think is a good personality fit and a good stylistic fit, then I could see trying to do some stuff with somebody. Not for the sake of replacing… I wouldn’t wanna ever feel like we were replacing Chester.”
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