Linkin Park was formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The original lineup included Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Rob Bourdon. The band was initially called Xero before changing their name to Hybrid Theory and finally settling on Linkin Park.
The band's name, Linkin Park, was inspired by Lincoln Park in Santa Monica, California. They changed the spelling to 'Linkin' to secure the domain name linkinpark.com for their website.
Linkin Park's debut album, 'Hybrid Theory,' was released in 2000 and became one of the best-selling debut albums of the 21st century, with over 27 million copies sold worldwide.
The album 'Hybrid Theory' includes some of the band's most iconic songs, such as 'In the End,' 'Crawling,' and 'One Step Closer.' 'In the End' became one of their biggest hits, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
Chester Bennington joined Linkin Park as the lead vocalist in 1999, completing the band's classic lineup. His powerful and emotional vocals became a defining element of the band's sound.
The band's second album, 'Meteora,' released in 2003, continued their success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and featuring hits like 'Numb,' 'Faint,' and 'Somewhere I Belong.'
Linkin Park is known for their ability to blend genres, combining elements of rock, hip-hop, electronic, and metal. Mike Shinoda's role as both a rapper and a producer helped shape the band's unique sound.
The band's 2007 album, 'Minutes to Midnight,' marked a shift in their sound, incorporating more alternative rock and less nu-metal elements. The album included hits like 'What I've Done' and 'Bleed It Out.'
Linkin Park has won numerous awards throughout their career, including two Grammy Awards for Best Hard Rock Performance and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
The band's song 'Numb/Encore,' a mashup with rapper Jay-Z, won a Grammy Award in 2006 and showcased their willingness to collaborate across genres.
In addition to their music, Linkin Park is known for their charitable work. They founded the organization Music for Relief in 2005 to support disaster relief and environmental protection efforts.
Linkin Park's 2010 album, 'A Thousand Suns,' explored themes of nuclear warfare and human rights, and it marked a further evolution in their sound, incorporating more electronic and experimental elements.
Chester Bennington tragically passed away in July 2017, leaving a lasting impact on the music world and millions of fans. The band paid tribute to him with a memorial concert, 'Linkin Park and Friends: Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington.'
Despite the loss of their lead singer, Linkin Park's music continues to resonate with fans worldwide, and their influence on modern rock and alternative music is undeniable.
Linkin Park has sold over 100 million records globally, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Their legacy as pioneers of the nu-metal genre and innovators in the music industry remains strong.