i don't agree that their popularity peak was at hybrid theory at all , they played much smaller venues with smaller crowd they almost got no reaction the first time they played in rock am ring 2001 and they got booed out of the building through ozzfest tour they weren't globally known like they are now and they only started to get really significant popularity in 2002 where they established a real fanbase BUT the significant moment in linkin park's career popularity-wise is the release of meteora where they became one of the biggest acts of the world they were the shit back then with 3 hits in a row played almost 24/7 on the radio and they won their second VMA and their first ever EMA there was almost no competition for linkin park sales as a rock band or a band in general in time where other nu metal bands started to fade into obscurity Linkin park alone saving career of a big act like JAY-Z proves how big they were to the point that even their remix album debuts at #2 Nowadays , they are still very huge as a live act but their peak was at 2003/2004
Having been to the 2001 Ozzfest, I can tell you that this was untrue. They came on as an early main stage opening act with a lot to prove. The metal crowd was and still is a tough crowd, especially in Chicago, and by the time LP's set was over, they were matched with roaring applause. The beginning part of their set was much like any opening band where they were trying to establish themselves with the crowd. Once that was over, people were digging their performance. I went with a group of metalheads who did not go to Ozzfest to see Linkin Park, like me. In my group, they went from "Oh here's your band" to "Wow, I'm impressed." So, I'm really not sure where the hell you got your "booed out of the building" "fact." Linkin Park - Tinley Park, IL, Ozzfest 2001 [youtube]vzcQYHgFRL8[/youtube] I wouldn't call that getting booed out of the building.
most videos that i saw was just lp busting their ass on the stage without even single response from the crowd (except maybe at the end of the show....) i remember when i saw tampa show when it first came up on youtube and the crowd was extremely disrespectful and lame +It's kinda unfair when you see that LP was top notch at their performance yet the crowd is extremely uninterested the only reason why i watch ozzfest performances to this date is because almost every band performed perfectly not because of the crowd And there are many interviews that prove that LP got booed at the ''beginning '' of their set in chicago , check out their latest interview in revolver the point is now they don't have to perform half what they used to be to gain crowd attention because they built a consistent fanbase over the years even if hybrid theory remains the top juggernaut of the band it doesn't change the fact that they weren't an established huge band ..
If you really want to know the situation from someone who was there, here it is. The Ozzfest main stage area opens up. Zakk Wylde plays. Crazy Town is set to start there after them on the main stage. Disturbed moves to the Second stage closers here. Disturbed, being a home town band, that is kind of a big deal. Most of my group skipped seeing Disturbed play so we can get a nice spot in the lawn. Disturbed gets the crowd AMPED. Disturbed finishes as Crazy Town takes the stage. Amped crowd wants more songs about betrayal and hatred, but instead get love songs about butterflies and probably unicorns. Said amped crowd gets restless. Gets pissed off. Boos Crazy Town clear off the stage. Crowd is still restless. Crowd wants the blood of a virgin and a lamb for a sacrifice. Linkin Park goes on to perform in front of this motherfucker of a crowd. Crowd wants their faces melted off by a searing guitar solo. A lot of people don't know Linkin Park away from what they hear on the radio. Crowd is expecting another light and fluffy set like they got from Crazy Town. Linkin Park come on and open with A Place For My Head. Crowd is unsure. Linkin Park perform entire performance slowly turning the tide. Linkin Park leave getting praised instead of crucified. Even, if, on other tour dates the line up to Crazy Town playing wasn't exactly the same, Linkin Park did come on after Crazy Town. The crowd response at the beginning of the set was due to the booking of them after that less than metal unicorns and butterflies love song band played. You will find the Revolver article mirrors this argument.