Emily Armstrong Explained

Emily Armstrong
Birth Name:Emily Marcia Armstrong
Birth Date:6 May 1986
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Years Active:2002–present

Emily Marcia Armstrong (born May 6, 1986) is an American singer. The co-founder of Dead Sara, she joined Linkin Park as the band's new lead vocalist in September 2024, following the death of their long-time lead vocalist Chester Bennington in 2017.

Early life

Armstrong was born in Los Angeles. Her parents were prominent members of the Church of Scientology, and she was raised as a Scientologist.[1] She started to write songs and play guitar when she was 11 and began to sing when she was 15. She dropped out of high school; she knew she wanted to be in a rock band when she picked up the guitar and had no interest in pursuing anything else.[2] In an interview with the El Paso Times in 2012, Armstrong said music was the one thing that kept her motivated in life.[3]

Career

Dead Sara

In 2002, Armstrong began playing with guitarist Siouxsie Medley, who she met through a mutual friend. They had similar taste in music; both Medley and Armstrong were influenced by Nirvana and L7, among others, and 1960s and 1970s folk and blues artists and classic rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell, and Fleetwood Mac.[4] As a songwriter, Armstrong was significantly influenced by folk rock. Her interest in open and alternate tunings, such as those used by Mitchell, resulted in what Guitar World referred to as Dead Sara's signature sound.[5] As a performer, she was influenced by artists including Iggy Pop and Janis Joplin.[6]

Initially known as Epiphany, Dead Sara's first gig was at the Los Angeles nightclub The Mint in March 2005. In addition to singing, Armstrong played the bass.

Armstrong received significant attention as a singer before Dead Sara's debut was released. Noting her "strong, urgent sound", Grace Slick said Armstrong was a singer she admired in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in 2011,[7] and Courtney Love brought Armstrong to New York to sing on Hole's 2010 album, Nobody's Daughter.[8]

Prior to joining Linkin Park, she recorded and/or performed live with artists including the Offspring,[9] Beck, Demi Lovato,[10] Awolnation,[11] and Robby Krieger of the Doors.[12]

Linkin Park

On September 5, 2024, at the start of a livestreamed Linkin Park concert, Armstrong was introduced as the band's new co-lead vocalist. The livestream included a performance of "The Emptiness Machine", the lead single of the group's forthcoming album From Zero, which released on November 15, 2024.[13] [14]

Linkin Park's first public show with Armstrong took place on September 11, 2024 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. In a review in Los Angeles Times, Steve Appleford wrote: "Like Bennington, Armstrong is as capable with rich melodies as throat-ripping vocals, which fit naturally in the established Linkin Park sound."[15] Chris Willman's review in Variety noted that the estimated audience of 17,000 were "clearly signaling their assent to her joining the band with a constant roar that roughly matched the one she was putting out."[16]

Personal life

In 2016, Armstrong was in a relationship with model Kate Harrison.[17] She identifies as queer.[1]

Church of Scientology

In 2013, Armstrong was photographed attending the 44th Anniversary Gala of the Church of Scientology's Celebrity Centre International[18] and, in a press release following the event, the Church identified her as one of several "prominent members".[19] Shortly after Armstrong joined Linkin Park in September 2024, she was the subject of media reports about her ties to the controversial church. Some of the band's fans were also critical of her affiliation with the Church.[20] According to the BBC, "Armstrong has never publicly commented on her relationship with the church, but several of Dead Sara's lyrics suggest criticism and rejection of Scientology's teachings."[1]

Also in September 2024, it came to light that Armstrong had attended a 2020 criminal hearing of former actor and convicted rapist Danny Masterson, a longtime Scientologist.[21] [22] [23] Reports noted that one of Masterson's alleged victims, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, and her spouse, Mars Volta and At the Drive-In singer and former Scientologist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, were publicly critical of Armstrong's decision to attend a hearing during Masterson's trial.[24] On September 6, Armstrong clarified that while she attended one court appearance in support of someone, whom she considered a friend at the time, she realized shortly afterward she should not have done so and had not spoken to this person since. She said she does not condone abuse or violence against women and empathizes with the victims of these crimes.[25]

Discography

With Dead Sara

With Linkin Park

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Linkin Park's new singer: The Emily Armstrong controversy explained . 2024-09-10 . www.bbc.com . en-GB . September 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240911073943/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/credy50z4j1o . live .
  2. Web site: Burger . David . September 24, 2012 . Song of the Day: X96 Big Ass Show performer Dead Sara's 'The Weatherman' . 2024-09-05 . The Salt Lake Tribune . en-US . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913014708/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=54958577&itype=cmsid . live .
  3. Web site: Pullen . Doug . May 22, 2012 . Dead Sara Rocks Up a Storm on New CD . El Paso Times . . Retrieved via ProQuest . September 10, 2024 . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913014830/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1015084398 . live .
  4. Web site: Law . Sam . 2022-05-11 . 5 Reasons Why You Need to Check Out Dead Sara . 2024-09-05 . Kerrang! . en . 2023-06-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230618132842/https://www.kerrang.com/5-reasons-why-you-need-to-check-out-dead-sara . live .
  5. Web site: Arrieta . Vincent . 2022-04-14 . How Dead Sara take Joni Mitchell's approach to alternate tunings and apply it to the ferocious world of rock 'n' roll . 2024-09-04 . Guitar World . en . 2024-09-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240906202025/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/dead-sara-siouxsie-medley-emily-armstrong . live .
  6. Web site: Entertainment - Technorati . 2024-09-05 . technorati.com . en . 2024-09-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240904041922/https://technorati.com/vertical/category/entertainment . live .
  7. News: Myers . Marc . April 29, 2011 . She Chased White Rabbits . September 5, 2024 . . January 8, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150108161611/http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703778104576287303493094530?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052748703778104576287303493094530.html . live .
  8. Baltin . Steve . 2012-03-28 . Dead Sara Gears Up for Breakout Year . 2024-09-05 . Rolling Stone . en-US . 2024-09-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240906005345/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dead-sara-gears-up-for-breakout-year-99699/ . live .
  9. Web site: Punknews.org . 2013-01-15 . Videos: The Offspring: "Gone Away" (w/ Emily Armstrong) . 2024-09-05 . www.punknews.org . en . 2020-11-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201111212641/https://www.punknews.org/article/50300/videos-the-offspring-gone-away-w-emily-armstrong . live .
  10. Web site: Ruggieri . Melissa . Demi Lovato excavates demons with honesty on new album: 'I can't believe I'm not dead,' she sings . 2024-09-05 . USA TODAY . en-US . 2024-07-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240717002157/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/08/19/demi-lovato-new-album-holy-fvck-review/10329570002/ . live .
  11. Web site: 2024-05-31 . AWOLNATION announce new album, unveil "Jump Sit Stand March" feat. Dead Sara's Emily Armstrong . 2024-09-05 . Consequence . en . 2024-09-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240902191132/https://consequence.net/2024/05/awolnation-new-album-single-emily-armstrong/ . live .
  12. Web site: Baltin . Steve . The Doors' John Densmore On Paying Tribute To Ray Manzarek, Supporting The Youth And More . 2024-09-05 . Forbes . en . 2020-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200116154406/https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2020/01/03/the-doors-john-densmore-on-paying-tribute-to-ray-manzarek-supporting-the-youth-and-more/ . live .
  13. Lipshutz . Jason . 2024-09-05 . Inside Linkin Park's Secret Comeback . 2024-09-05 . Billboard . en-US . 2024-09-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240905224307/https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/linkin-park-singer-tour-album-cover-story-interview-1235766805/ . live .
  14. News: Paul . Larisha . 2024-09-06 . Linkin Park Unveil Emily Armstrong as New Co-Vocalist, Announce 2024 World Tour and Album . RollingStone . 2024-09-06 . 2024-09-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240906000045/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/linkin-park-new-vocalist-emily-armstrong-tour-album-from-zero-1235096109/ . live .
  15. Web site: Appleford . Steve . 2024-09-12 . Linkin Park comes roaring back with more than an echo of its past with new singer at Kia Forum . 2024-09-12 . Los Angeles Times . en-US . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913014709/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-09-12/linkin-park-emily-armstrong-mike-shinoda-kia-forum-review . live .
  16. Web site: Willman . Chris . 2024-09-12 . Linkin Park Thrills L.A. Forum Crowd With New Singer in First Full Show Since 2017: See the 27-Song Setlist . 2024-09-12 . Variety . en-US . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913014722/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/linkin-park-forum-setlist-los-angeles-new-singer-1236141901/ . live .
  17. News: Wer ist Emily Armstrong? . . Daniela Westermayer . September 6, 2024 . de . September 10, 2024 . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913014830/https://www.swp.de/panorama/personen/linkin-park-wer-ist-emily-armstrong-77503485.html . live .
  18. Web site: Ortega . Tony . September 19, 2020 . Read Danny Masterson's 'demurrer' he's hoping will get his criminal charges dismissed . September 6, 2024 . The Underground Bunker . September 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240906024305/https://tonyortega.org/2020/09/19/read-danny-mastersons-demurrer-hes-hoping-will-get-his-criminal-charges-dismissed/ . live .
  19. August 24, 2013 . Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Hosts 44th Anniversary Gala . Los Angeles . Church of Scientology International . September 7, 2024 . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913014710/https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/celebrity-centre-44th-anniversary-gala.html . live .
  20. Web site: Bird . Daniel . 2024-09-06 . New Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong sparks backlash over alleged Scientology and Danny Masterson links . 2024-09-07 . The Daily Mirror . en-UK . 2024-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20240906152116/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/linkin-park-emily-armstrong-scientology-33611398. live .
  21. Web site: Linkin Park Fans Re-Share Cedric-Bixler Zavala's Message to Emily Armstrong Over Alleged Links to Scientology and Danny Masterson. September 6, 2024. NME. September 6, 2024 . September 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240906155330/https://www.nme.com/news/music/linkin-park-fans-re-share-cedric-bixler-zavalas-message-to-emily-armstrong-over-alleged-links-to-scientology-and-danny-masterson-3791311. live.
  22. Blistein . Jon . 2024-09-06 . Cedric Bixler-Zavala Slams Linkin Park's Emily Armstrong Over Alleged Danny Masterson Support . 2024-09-07 . Rolling Stone . en-US . 2024-09-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240907043415/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/linkin-park-emily-armstrong-danny-masterson-scientology-1235096707/ . live .
  23. Web site: Curto . Justin . 2024-09-06 . What's Up With Linkin Park's New Singer? . 2024-09-07 . Vulture . en . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913014723/https://www.vulture.com/article/linkin-park-new-singer-emily-armstrong-scientology.html . live .
  24. Web site: Deville . Chris . 2024-09-06 . The Mars Volta's Cedric Bixler-Zavala Calls Out Linkin Park's New Singer For Her Support Of Danny Masterson And Links To Scientology . 2024-09-07 . Stereogum . en-US . 2024-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20240906183557/https://www.stereogum.com/2279090/the-mars-voltas-cedric-bixler-zavala-calls-out-linkin-parks-new-singer-for-her-support-of-danny-masterson-and-links-to-scientology/news/. live.
  25. Web site: Aswad. Jem. New Linkin Park Singer Emily Armstrong Responds to Criticism Over Danny Masterson Support. Variety. September 6, 2024. September 6, 2024. September 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240907032438/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/linkin-emily-armstrong-criticism-danny-masterson-1236135990/. live.
  26. Web site: Lymangrover . Jason . Biography: Dead Sara . 2024-09-05 . AllMusic . en . 2023-05-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522083356/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dead-sara-mn0002873731#biography . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Emily Armstrong".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.