Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley didn’t know Linkin Park got a new singer or about the rumors surrounding it.
During a recent interview with KROQ, Whibley shared his reaction when asked about the news that came out around the same time as Linkin Park’s announcement.
“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.
Around a month ago, Sum 41 teased an announcement, with their countdown ending at the same time as Linkin Park’s. This caused fans to speculate whether or not he was the new singer.
“Tune in. Wednesday morning Deryck Whibley announcement,” the band posted. The next day, Whibley addressed 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 added, “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 performed on stage with Linkin Park a few times before, so the fans thought he could be a good fit for the band. However, Linkin Park later announced Emily Armstrong from Dead Sara as their new singer.
Currently, both bands are on tour. Sum 41’s next show is on October 2 in Phoenix, Arizona. Linkin Park’s next performance is on November 3 in Nanterre, France.
