I was in a huge 90s rock band that sold millions of albums – but I’m suing them after I didn’t earn a penny
THEY were the huge nu-metal band that broke free from the cult genre to achieve mainstream success.
Prior to the tragic death of frontman Chester Bennington in 2017, Linkin Park sold more than 100 million records and were one of the biggest bands in the world.
The band, which is technically still active – though currently has no plans in the pipeline for a new record or tour, is now facing another internal battle.
Ex-bassist Kyle Christner, who played with the band from 1998 until 1999, is suing current members Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson and Joseph Hahn, record label Warner and management group Machine Shop for unpaid royalties on early material as well as writing credits.
His lawsuit, which was reportedly filed at a California court on Wednesday, reads: “Though Christner was once under the misimpression that his bass parts were re-recorded on the EP after he left the band, he has, upon closer review, identified his bass playing on the edition of the EP included in the box set.
“In fact, Christner appears to have played on at least tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of Forgotten Demos, tracks 1, 2, 7, 13, 14, 16, 17 of LPU Rarities, and track 7 of B-Side Rarities, as well as the Hybrid Theory EP.”
It adds: “It would be unjust for defendants to retain such benefit without paying plaintiff his fair share.”
The band shot to fame in 2000 thanks to debut album Hybrid Theory which featured hard rock anthems Papercut and In The End.
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-two 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.
“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.”