Editing Linkin Park (section)

===1996–2000: Foundation and early years===
Linkin Park was founded by three high school friends: [[Mike Shinoda]], [[Rob Bourdon]], and [[Brad Delson]].<ref name=Ask-Bio>{{cite web|first=Patrick|last=Hosken|url=http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/entertainment_150/196_linkin_park.html|title=Linkin Park - AskMen|work=AskMen|access-date=February 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101160030/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/entertainment_150/196_linkin_park.html|archive-date=November 1, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The three attended [[Agoura High School]] in [[Agoura Hills, California]], a suburb of Los Angeles.<ref name=Ask-Bio/> After graduating from high school, the three began to take their musical interests more seriously, recruiting [[Joe Hahn]], [[Dave Farrell|Dave "Phoenix" Farrell]], and Mark Wakefield to perform in their band, then called Xero. Though limited in resources, the band began recording and producing songs within Shinoda's makeshift bedroom studio in 1996, resulting in a four-track demo album, entitled ''Xero'', released in November 1997.<ref name=Ask-Bio/> That same month, the band performed their first show, [[Opening act|opening]] for [[SX-10]] and [[System of a Down]] at the [[Whisky a Go Go]], a nightclub in [[West Hollywood]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Blue|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Blue|date=2020|title=One Step Closer (From Xero to #1 : Becoming Linkin Park)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GFMEEAAAQBAJ|location=|publisher=Permuted Press|page=|chapter=Chapter 4: First Sip of Whiskey|isbn=9781682619681}}</ref> Delson introduced the band to [[Jeff Blue]], the vice president of [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] for [[Zomba Group of Companies|Zomba Music]], whom he had interned for in college.<ref name="jeff1">{{cite web|first=Ashley|last=Perez Hollingsworth|url=https://genreisdead.com/jeff-blue-linkin-park-interview/|title=Interview: Jeff Blue Reflects On The Struggles, Frustrations, And Joys Of Working With Linkin Park|work=Genre Is Dead|date=February 16, 2021|access-date=February 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329075951/https://genreisdead.com/jeff-blue-linkin-park-interview/|archive-date=March 29, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Blue offered the band constructive criticism to catch the attention of record labels. Blue himself was impressed with Xero after watching them play a live show in 1998 but believed the band needed a different vocalist.<ref name="jeff1"/> Tensions and frustration within the band grew after they failed to land a record deal.<ref name=Ask-Bio/> The lack of success and stalemate in progress prompted Wakefield, at that time the band's vocalist, to leave the band in search of other projects.<ref name=Ask-Bio/> Farrell also left to tour with Tasty Snax, a [[Christian punk]] and [[ska]] band.<ref name=MusicMight>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united%2Bstates/california/los%2Bangeles/linkin%2Bpark|title=Linkin Park Music Might|work=Music Might|access-date=February 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527005054/http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united+states/california/los+angeles/linkin+park|archive-date=May 27, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Christina|last=Fuoco|url=http://www.livedaily.com/interviews/liveDaily_Interview_Linkin_Parks_Dave_Phoenix_Farrell-6078.html?t=6|title=LiveDaily Interview: Linkin Park's Dave 'Phoenix' Farrell|work=Livedaily|date=February 4, 2004|access-date=July 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112192536/http://www.livedaily.com/interviews/liveDaily_Interview_Linkin_Parks_Dave_Phoenix_Farrell-6078.html?t=6|archive-date=January 12, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After spending a considerable time searching for Wakefield's replacement, Xero recruited [[Chester Bennington]], a vocalist from [[Arizona]] who was recommended by Jeff Blue in March 1999.<ref name=LPT>{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Fricke|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/linkin-park-david-fricke-talks-to-chester-bennington-about-hybrid-theory-success-67820/|title=Linkin Park: David Fricke Talks to Chester Bennington About 'Hybrid Theory' Success|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=March 14, 2002|access-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421210500/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/linkin-park-david-fricke-talks-to-chester-bennington-about-hybrid-theory-success-67820/|archive-date=April 21, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="kerrang-2008">{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Bryant|url=http://www.tom-bryant.com/linkin-park-kerrang--tom-bryant.html|title=Linkin Park, Kerrang!|work=[[Kerrang!]]|date=January 23, 2008|access-date=November 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090000/http://www.tom-bryant.com/linkin-park-kerrang--tom-bryant.html|archive-date=March 27, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Bennington, formerly of [[alternative rock]] band [[Grey Daze]], became a standout among applicants because of the dynamic in his singing style.<ref name=Ask-Bio/> The band then agreed on changing their name from Xero to Hybrid Theory; the newborn vocal chemistry between Shinoda and Bennington helped revive the band, inciting them to work on new material.<ref name=Ask-Bio/><ref>{{cite news|first=Matt|last=Allen|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/linkin-park-chester-benningtons-band-pictures/initially-named-xero-later-hybrid-theory-roots-linkin-park-took/|title='We made music to p--- our parents off': Linkin Park and Chester Bennington's career in pictures|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=July 25, 2017|access-date=March 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208152152/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/linkin-park-chester-benningtons-band-pictures/initially-named-xero-later-hybrid-theory-roots-linkin-park-took/|archive-date=February 8, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Additionally, the band recruited bassist Kyle Christner on a temporary basis.<ref name="Dillion-2023">{{cite magazine|first=Nancy|last=Dillon|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/linkin-park-sued-bassist-royalties-1234874421/|title=Linkin Park Sued by Bassist Seeking Royalties on 'More Than 20 Songs'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 9, 2023|access-date=February 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208191313/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/linkin-park-sued-bassist-royalties-1234874421/|archive-date=December 8, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 1999, the band released a self-titled [[Hybrid Theory (EP)|extended play]], which they circulated across internet chat-rooms and forums with the help of an online "[[street team]]".<ref>{{cite book|last=Saulmon|first=Greg|title=Linkin Park; Contemporary musicians and their music|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|year=2006|pages=19–20|isbn=978-1-4042-0713-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cwuqmz_O5EkC&q=%22Hybrid+Theory+(EP)%22&pg=PA1980|access-date=December 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121163319/https://books.google.com/books?id=cwuqmz_O5EkC&q=%22Hybrid+Theory+%28EP%29%22&pg=PA1980|archive-date=November 21, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 1999, Christner was replaced by Scott Koziol and Ian Hornbeck, whom along with Delson, provided bass tracks for the band's recordings.<ref name="Dillion-2023"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Chad|last=Childers|url=https://loudwire.com/linkin-park-hybrid-theory-album-anniversary/|title=23 Years Ago: Linkin Park Unleash 'Hybrid Theory'|work=[[Loudwire]]|date=October 24, 2023|access-date=February 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329171356/https://loudwire.com/linkin-park-hybrid-theory-album-anniversary/|archive-date=March 29, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

The band still struggled to sign a record deal. They turned to Jeff Blue for additional help after facing numerous rejections from several major record labels.<ref name=LPT/> After failing to catch [[Warner Records|Warner Bros. Records]] on three previous reviews, Blue, who was now the vice president of Warner Bros. Records, helped the band sign a deal with the company as a developing artist in 1999.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Katherine|last=Turman|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/chester-bennington-appreciation-linkin-park-1202502002/|title=Chester Bennington and Linkin Park: A Musical Legacy of Darkness and Hope|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 20, 2017|access-date=November 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721172917/https://variety.com/2017/music/news/chester-bennington-appreciation-linkin-park-1202502002/|archive-date=July 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/63069/linkin-park-wants-out-of-warner-bros-contract|title=Linkin Park Wants Out Of Warner Bros. Contract|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=May 3, 2015|access-date=August 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121163340/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/63069/linkin-park-wants-out-of-warner-bros-contract|archive-date=November 21, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the label advised the band to change their name to avoid confusion with [[Hybrid (British band)|Hybrid]].<ref name="hybrid19">{{cite web|first=James|last=Hickie|url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/linkin-park-the-inside-story-of-hybrid-theory/|title=Linkin Park: The Inside Story of Hybrid Theory|work=[[Kerrang!]]|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=November 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024191058/https://www.kerrang.com/features/linkin-park-the-inside-story-of-hybrid-theory/|archive-date=October 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="HTLP">{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Shinoda|url=http://mikeshinoda.com/2010/01/02/my-linkin-park-decade-list/|title=My Linkin Park "Decade List"|website=mikeshinoda.com|date=January 2, 2010|access-date=November 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032330/http://mikeshinoda.com/2010/01/02/my-linkin-park-decade-list/|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band considered the names "Plear" and "Platinum Lotus Foundation" before deciding on "Linkin Park",<ref>{{cite book|last=Blue|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Blue|title=One Step Closer (From Xero to No. 1: Becoming Linkin Park)|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=GFMEEAAAQBAJ|publisher=Permuted Press|year=2020|isbn=9781682619674}}</ref> a play on and homage to [[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica]]'s Lincoln Park,<ref name="Ask-Bio"/> now called [[Christine Emerson Reed Park]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-13-me-59427-story.html|title=Dedication Ceremony for Park to Be Held Sunday|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=June 13, 1998|access-date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121163321/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-13-me-59427-story.html|archive-date=November 21, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> They initially wanted to use the name "Lincoln Park"; however, they changed it to "Linkin" to acquire the internet domain "linkinpark.com".<ref name="HTLP"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Ragogna|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ragogna/a-conversation-with-linki_b_1700451.html|title=A Conversation With Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda, Plus Chatting With VideofyMe's Oskar Glauser and The Villains and Ben Arthur Exclusives|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=July 25, 2012|access-date=January 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121163338/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-conversation-with-linki_b_1700451|archive-date=November 21, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bennington and Shinoda both reported that Warner Bros. Records was skeptical of Linkin Park's initial recordings.<ref>{{cite web|first=Stef|last=Lach|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/linkin-park-record-label-tried-to-get-rid-of-mike-shinoda|title=Linkin Park: Record label tried to get rid of Mike Shinoda|work=[[Metal Hammer]]|date=July 14, 2016|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506155739/https://www.loudersound.com/news/linkin-park-record-label-tried-to-get-rid-of-mike-shinoda|archive-date=May 6, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The label's [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] was not pleased with the band's hip-hop and rock-style approach.<ref name="wb-ar2">{{cite web|first=Stef|last=Lach|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/linkin-park-record-label-tried-to-get-rid-of-mike-shinoda|title=Linkin Park: Record label tried to get rid of Mike Shinoda|work=[[Metal Hammer]]|date=July 14, 2016|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506155739/https://www.loudersound.com/news/linkin-park-record-label-tried-to-get-rid-of-mike-shinoda|archive-date=May 6, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> An A&R representative suggested that Bennington should demote or fire Shinoda and exclusively focus on making a rock record.<ref name="wb-ar2"/> Bennington supported Shinoda and refused to compromise Linkin Park's vision for the album.<ref name="wb-ar2"/> Farrell returned in late 2000, and the band released their breakthrough album, ''[[Hybrid Theory]]'', that same year.<ref name=LPT/>