Beginning

• The band Xero formed in 1996 and went under that name until singer Mark Wakefield left

• Band was known as Hybrid Theory after vocalist Chester Bennington joined in 1998. Band finally settled on the name Linkin Park in 1999

• All of the band members originated in Southern California with the exception of Arizona-born Bennington

Musical Style• Nu-metal

– relies heavily on syncopation and riffs– Takes from a variety of genres, including hip-hop, punk,

metal, and electronica

• Unique vocal style presented by Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington

Musical Style• Rap and metal greatest influence on

music• Members:– Chester Bennington: vocals, guitar, piano– Mike Shinoda: vocals, guitar, keyboard– Brad Delson: guitar, back-up vocals– Dave “Phoenix” Farrell: bass guitar– Joe Hahn: turntables– Rob Bourdon: percussion

• Has had same band members since formed

Debut

• “Get Me Gone” by Fort Minor– "Yeah you know, I don't know about the

rapping like, I don't know... maybe you should just be a rock band.“

• Debut album Hybrid Theory released fall of 2000.

• It received 3 Grammy nominations and eventually sold 10 million copies, earning the album “diamond status”

• Best debut album of 21st century.

Follow-up

• Follow-up album, Meteroa, carries over with same style

• “The band manages to squeeze the last remaining life out of this nearly extinct formula with volatile performances and meticulous editing.” – Rolling Stones

• Lyrics focused on personal issues and hardships

Samples: Part I

• “In The End”– http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8HaD_0NxQs

Change in Style• Release of Minutes of Midnight and A Thousand

Suns marked change in musical style– Steered into new territory

• Lyrics focused on current events and the state of the world, America in particular

Samples: Part II

• “When They Come For Me”:– http://

vimeo.com/22720459

• All three Transformers films feature a Linkin Park single

• “New Divide”– https://www.youtub

e.com/watch?v=8ru5AvGE2n4

Present Day

• Have vowed to put out an album every 18 months

• Latest album, Living Things, has a style that sounds like a mix of all their albums

• Spin.com labels Linkin Park as the biggest band on YouTube– Passed 1 billion mark– Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day trail

with 328 million and 247 million, respectively

Latest Single

• “Castle Of Glass”– http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScNNfyq3d_w

Linkin Park

• Linkin Park. Web. 26 November 2012.• “Linkin Park: Biography.” MSN Music. Web. 26

November 2012.• Martins, Chris. “Linkin Park Are the Biggest

Band on YouTube, Hit 1 Billion Views.” Spin. 24 September 2012. Web. 27 November 2012.

• Walters, Barry. “Linkin Park: Review.” Rolling Stone. 4 April 2003. Web. 26 November 2012.