It Starts with One

The Legend and Legacy of Linkin Park

By: Jason Lipshutz

Narrated by: Jason Lipshutz, James Fouhey, Helen Laser

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

From the executive director of music at Billboard, an extensive look inside the 20+ year career of mega-selling rock band Linkin Park, featuring new interviews, exclusive quotes, and insights from the band’s associates and collaborators

Linkin Park is one of the 21st Century’s biggest, and most important, rock bands. All it takes is one quick glance at the numbers—11 Top 40 hits on the Hot 100 and six No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, over a dozen massive tours, 27 major award wins, 100+ million records sold worldwide, over 30 million monthly Spotify listeners—to realize that when it comes to the metrics of music consumption and fandom, there’s no bigger group in recent memory. And yet, despite their enduring legacy within rock, there’s never been a full, comprehensive biography of Linkin Park—until now.

In IT STARTS WITH ONE: The Legend and Legacy of Linkin Park, Billboard's executive director of music, Jason Lipshutz, chronicles the innovation and influence of this legendary band, from their early childhoods to the moment their paths crossed to the genesis of their iconic first album, Hybrid Theory, and all that followed. Not only were they able to synthesize trends in pop and hip-hop amidst the post-grunge era and nu metal boom, then constantly reinvent their sound over multiple albums, Linkin Park’s radically vulnerable lyrics also helped usher in a new era of artists (and fans) more open to discussing mental health and prioritizing inclusivity. Led by their front men, Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda, who balanced each other out artistically, Linkin Park never shied away from songs that put their issues front and center, for the world to see and feel. Tragically, Chester succumbed to his demons and passed away in 2017, but the music endures—and in order to truly appreciate the band’s singular power to bring people together, we need to take a closer look at how exactly Linkin Park changed popular music.

Through in-depth reporting and interviews, as well as new reflections from their collaborators and contemporaries, IT STARTS WITH ONE explores how one band made such a big impact on modern music, effectively cementing Linkin Park’s long overdue place in music history.

©2024 Jason Lipshutz (P)2024 Hachette Books

Deeper Perspective of Linkin Park's Uniqueness

I can't say I was a fan of LP when Hybrid Theory was released, in part because I disliked the idea of rap being used as a gimmick. When Minutes to Midnight was released I purchased the first week, in part because Rick Rubin was involved. I loved the album much more that I thought I would, and have become a fan and appreciate them as artists instead of manufactured entertainers. I was dead wrong about them being artists. I'm at a point where I love context, liner notes and behind the scene stories of creativity. This book helped me to appreciate them more, and the road they took to become great. I can't wait for the new album and the next chapter of their legacy. RIP Chester.

A listen for ALL LP fans!!!

If you grew up listening to Linkin Park, like I did, you OWE it to yourself to read/listening to this book!! I've been a fan since Hybrid Theory to now and was fortunate to see them live TWICE for Family Values Tour in 2001 and A Thousand Suns Tour during a Boston blizzard in 2011!! I love ALL of their albums and was devastated when we lost Chester!! I greatly hope that more people find and read this book!! Fair warning: keep kleenex nearby!! Enjoy!!

Enjoyed hearing Linkin Parks Story

I enjoyed hearing Linkin Parks's Story, especially in the early days. The voice actor did a good job. Overall I enjoyed this very much, I listened to the songs as they were discussed in depth and it brought new color to old favorites.

Play-pause (repeat)

So very good, and timely too. I thoroughly enjoyed the audible version, would pause the book and listen to the song for added enjoyment, then return to the book. Seven studio albums covered in-depth plus many side projects and great stories to remind us how amazing our favorite band truly is!