 After spending a considerable time searching for Wakefield 's replacement , Xero recruited Arizona vocalist , Chester Bennington , who was recommended by Jeff Blue , the vice president of Zomba Music in March 1999 . Bennington , formerly of a post @-@ grunge band by the name of Grey Daze , became a standout among applicants because of the dynamic in his singing style . The band then agreed on changing its name from Xero to Hybrid Theory ; the newborn vocal chemistry between Shinoda and Bennington helped revive the band , inciting them to work on new material . In 1999 the band released a self @-@ titled extended play , which they circulated across internet chat @-@ rooms and forums with the help of an online ' street team ' . The band 's renaissance culminated with a change in name ; from Hybrid Theory , the band once again changed its name , this time to Linkin Park , a play on and homage to Santa Monica 's Lincoln Park . The band initially wanted to utilize the name " Lincoln Park " , however they changed it to " Linkin " to acquire the internet domain " <unk> " . However , despite these changes , the band still struggled to sign a record deal . After facing numerous rejections from several major record labels , Linkin Park turned to Jeff Blue for additional help . After failing to catch Warner Bros. Records on three previous reviews , Jeff Blue , now the vice president of Warner Bros. Records , helped the band sign a deal with the company in 1999 . The band released its breakthrough album , Hybrid Theory , the following year . 
