Chester Bennington by Stefan Brending
Famed band, Linkin Park have finally broken their silence over the loss of beloved singer, Chester Bennington.
Bennington, who was 41, committed suicide on July 20 after lifelong complications with alcoholism and severe depression. The singer was found dead in his LA home by a housekeeper, after hanging himself. In a twist of fate surely not to be coincidental, Bennington ended his life on what would have been the 53rd birthday of fellow friend and Soundgarden singer, Chris Cornell, who killed himself earlier this year.
The band’s words hit close to home, waxing upon grief, disbelief, and the deep love and admiration they held for Bennington.
“Our hearts are broken. The shockwaves of grief and denial are still sweeping through our family as we come to grips with what has happened,” Linkin Park wrote.
“You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realized. In the past few days, we’ve seen an outpouring of love and support, both public and private, from around the world. [Bennington’s wife] Talinda and the family appreciate it, and want the world to know that you were the best husband, son, and father; the family will never be whole without you.”
Linkin Park continued, writing beautifully about Bennington’s troubled yet happy soul, and what the future could’ve held:
“Talking with you about the years ahead together, your excitement was infectious. Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled—a boisterous, funny, ambitious, creative, kind, generous voice in the room is missing. We’re trying to remind ourselves that the demons who took you away from us were always part of the deal. After all, it was the way you sang about those demons that made everyone fall in love with you in the first place. You fearlessly put them on display, and in doing so, brought us together and taught us to be more human. You had the biggest heart, and managed to wear it on your sleeve.”
Linkin Park cancelled their One More Light World Tour shortly after Bennington’s death and admitted that the band’s future is unclear in his absence.
Bennington’s heartfelt vocals were always fueled by anguish and sorrow. As a child, he lived a troubled life after his parents divorced when he was 11. Bennington also suffered sexual abuse which led him down a path of drug addiction.
His life would change forever in 2000 when Bennington’s band found mainstream success with their album Hybrid Theory. Linkin Park would define the nu-metal genre, even winning a Grammy in 2006 for best rap/sung collaboration on their record, Collision Course.
There’s been an outpouring of grief and suicide prevention among musicians and celebrities alike, from Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst to late night host Jimmy Kimmel, and rapper Pusha-T.
But Linkin Park’s words remain the most moving:
“Our love for making and performing music is inextinguishable. While we don’t know what path our future may take, we know that each of our lives was made better by you,” the band wrote. “Thank you for that gift. We love you, and miss you so much.”
