Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley has clarified that he had no idea Linkin Park was getting a new singer, and he didn’t know about the rumors either.
Deryck Whibley opens up on Linkin Park rumor
In a new chat with KROQ, the singer was asked about the announcements that came around the same time as Linkin Park’s new singer announcements.
“I didn’t really watch it unfold because I don’t really go on social media,” Whibley revealed. “I post and walk. So I didn’t really know anything about it and I started getting text messages. People are like, ‘Dude, Linkin Park?’ I’m like, ‘What about them?’”
“Then it was like, ‘Oasis?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, maybe one day.’ Then it just kept coming in, then people started saying, ‘They’re doing announcements as well, and it looks like it got into turned into something,’” the singer added.
Ahead of Linkin Park’s announcement, Sum 41 teased an upcoming announcement. The countdown was scheduled to end at the same time Linkin Park’s countdown was scheduled to end.
“Tune in. Wednesday morning Deryck Whibley announcement,” the band wrote in their statement. A day later, the singer responded to the rumors.
“I feel the need to dispel some current rumors. It’s been brought to my attention that many people think I could be joining a reuniting band. But I just want to say, despite popular belief, I am not joining Oasis… or Linkin Park. Or any other band for that matter.”
He continued, “I have my own ‘tour and book’ announcement that I will now move to the end of the week, ahead of [Sum 41’s farewell] U.S. tour. I do look forward to seeing whatever both these amazing bands do in the future.”
Whibley has joined Linkin Park on stage several times. Thus, fans thought he would be a good fit for Linkin Park before announcing he wouldn’t be the new singer. LP later announced that their new singer would be Emily Armstrong from the band Dead Sara.
Now both bands are on tour. Sum 41’s next show is on October 2 in Phoenix, Arizona, and Linkin Park’s next show is on November 3 in Nanterre, France.
