Gene Simmons, former frontman of KISS, has offered his thoughts on Linkin Park’s new vocalist, Emily Armstrong, and the ongoing Scientology controversy linked to her. Armstrong, the lead singer of the band Dead Sara, was announced as Linkin Park’s frontwoman on 5 September, marking a new chapter for the nu-metal group following the death of Chester Bennington in 2017.
Speaking to Forbes, Simmons expressed support for the band’s decision to bring Armstrong into the fold, saying, “It’s great. I listened. I saw some videos. The new female singer, great. She fits the band. She sounds great and good luck to them.” He noted that fans are eager to hear Linkin Park’s music and that bands often continue with new members, adding, “There are bands that tour, Lynyrd Skynyrd, lots of bands that barely have any original members or no original members. People want to hear those songs.”
Addressing criticism over choosing a female vocalist, Simmons rejected the notion that this breaks any unwritten rules in rock music. “All these ‘rules.’ Genesis, they lose Peter Gabriel, it’s over. Nope. Once Gabriel left, Genesis became a stadium band with a drummer who came up from the back. All those ‘rules,’ who made the rules anyway? In rock and roll, there are no rules.”
Beyond Armstrong’s musical role, her alleged ties to the Church of Scientology have attracted attention. Controversy arose after Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta accused her of connections to the church and of supporting actor Danny Masterson, who was recently convicted of rape. Armstrong responded to these claims, acknowledging that she had once attended a court hearing for Masterson, whom she had considered a friend. However, she distanced herself from him, stating, “I realised I shouldn’t have. I have never spoken with him since… I do not condone abuse or violence against women.”
Simmons, while familiar with Scientology, distanced himself from the controversy. “I studied [L. Ron Hubbard],” he said, “I’m not a follower, but good luck. Life is short. Believe whatever you want.” He continued: “The great silent majority – I don’t mean politically – the people who make things happen, buy tickets. So, if they – and they will – sell lots of tickets, Linkin Park, then the public has spoken. End of story. And they will do great.”
Despite the discussions surrounding Armstrong’s appointment and her personal beliefs, Simmons believes that the band will succeed with their new direction, just as many others have in the past.
