Linkin Park Refuses to Use Hologram of Late Chester Bennington in Performances

Linkin Park vocalist Mike Shinoda said the band would not perform with a hologram of late frontman Chester Bennington.

He expressed his thoughts during a radio interview on 94.5 The Buzz. The host, Theresa, said she would pay “good money” to see Bennington as a hologram.

Shinoda replied, “Those are creepy, even if we weren’t talking about us if we weren’t talking about Chester. For me, that’s a clear no.”

Why won’t Linkin Park not feature Chester Bennington as a hologram?

Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda says there’s “absolutely no way” he would take part in a Chester Bennington hologram tour: https://t.co/Vh0hXBShWx pic.twitter.com/A0T4rNee1W

— Metal Hammer (@MetalHammer) December 20, 2017

Chester Bennington was Linkin Park’s lead vocalist, and he died by suicide on July 20, 2017. Multiple sources indicate childhood trauma led to the incident.

Consequently, Mike Shinoda told the radio show host that speaking about his late bandmate is a “sensitive subject.” 

Also, that explains why showing Bennington as a hologram was a “clear no.” Holograms are seemingly 3D images produced by multiple overlapping lasers.

He admitted that he understands the appeal of holograms. However, the rhythm guitarist said he’s more comfortable when used for still-living musicians like Abba.

“I heard Abba, for example, they’re doing a hologram show, and they’re still alive,” Shinoda started.

“They’re all still here, and yet they want to do it this way because they want to transport you back to that moment in time when those songs were new….”

“…and it was whatever era it was. I get that. I see that” Shinoda continued. Yet, that did not mean he would be willing to purchase a ticket for a hologram Abba show.

“I’m not positive I personally would buy a ticket to the show. But [other people] would. That’s fine,” Shinoda explained.

Linkin Park’s AI-generated video and other hologram artists

Photo Credit: ahoratabasco.com

He had a few words regarding today’s internet culture. Shinoda felt frustrated that people wanted everything to fit their needs.

“The problem with the internet now is that everybody thinks that everything is for everybody.”

“And what I mean is, everyone feels like they need to chime in, like, “Well, here’s my opinion. This is what I have to say. And if it’s not for me, like if I don’t like it, then nobody should like it.’”

“That’s not the way the world works. If you like a thing and I don’t like the thing, then you go see the thing, you go buy the thing. So please go see your thing.”

He firmly emphasized, “The only problem with that is we’re not going to do a hologram show.” Despite refusing to use holograms, the band is willing to try other technologies.

For example, the band released an AI-generated YouTube music video dedicated to Chester Benningham with the song “Lost.”

Aside from Abba, other artists have used holograms. For example, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival featured a performance by the late Tupac Shakur.