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LINKIN PARK Vocalist Chester Bennington Dies Aged 41
July 20th, 2017

Chester Bennington – vocalist of Los Angeles, California-based rock group Linkin Park – died on July 20th, 2017, having taken his own life at the age of 41.

An employee found Bennington hanging from a bedroom door shortly before 9am at his home in Palos Verdes Estates. The Los Angeles County coroner later ruled that the death was a suicide.

Linkin Park paid tribute to their singer with the following statement: “Dear Chester, 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.

“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. 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.

“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.

“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. Thank you for that gift. We love you, and miss you so much.

“Until we see you again, LP”

Stone Temple Pilots offered the following words to their former frontman, meanwhile: “Chester, It is a sad day today to know that so many of us will no longer share in your laughter, friendship and love. You showed us time and time again what it is to be an incredible human being. A beacon of light and hope is what you will always be to us. We love you Chester. We will miss you.”

Bennington’s suicide occurred on what would have been the 53rd birthday of late Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell, a friend of his. Cornell took his own life in May 2017, also by hanging. Bennington, as well as Linkin Park guitarist Brad Delson, had performed Leonard Cohen’s signature composition ‘Hallelujah’ for the crowd of mourners at Cornell’s funeral.

Chester Charles Bennington was born on March 20th, 1976 in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of a police officer. Experiencing a rough childhood, Bennington was molested and beaten up by an older friend beginning around the age of seven.

At the age of 11, his parents divorced and he was forced to live with his father. At this point he discovered drugs, consuming, opium, amphetamines, marijuana and cocaine as well as alcohol. Drugs were abandoned in 1992 following an incident where a gang broke into his friend’s house while he was getting high and pistol-whipped his friends, although addiction would re-emerge later.

Later, Bennington moved to California.

Linkin Park was formed in Agoura Hills, 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles, in 1996 under the moniker Xero. The outfit was the brainchild of co-lead vocalist and instrumentalist Mike Shinoda, guitarist Brad Delson, bassist Dave Farrell, drummer Rob Bourdon and turntablist Joe Hahn. Original vocalist Mark Wakefield exited the fold in 1998, paving the way for Bennington to assume vocal duties – having fronted Phoenix, Arizona-based alternative rock ensemble Grey Daze.

October 2000 debut Hybrid Theory charted at position two on the Billboard 200, eventually receiving diamond certification from the RIAA in recognition of sales in excess of 10 million. The track ‘In The End’ reached position two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, with other top twenty singles compositions from Linkin Park through the years including ‘Numb’ (#11, 2004), ‘What I’ve Done’ (#7), ‘New Divide’ (#6, 2009), and ‘Shadow Of The Day’ (#15, 2008).

March 2003 follow-up Meteora was the first of five Linkin Park studio album propers to top the Billboard 200.

November 2004 collaborative EP Collision Course paired Linkin Park with rapper Jay-Z, the EP reaching position one on the Billboard 200.

Seventh full-length studio album One More Light was issued in May 2017 through Warner Bros. Records, charting at position one on the Billboard 200.

Linkin Park aside, Dead By Sunrise was formed during 2005 as an outlet for compositions Bennington felt didn’t suit Linkin Park’s musical style, the line-up rounded out by members of Orgy and the Street Drum Corps. Lone effort Out Of Ashes arrived in October 2009, charting at position 29 on the Billboard 200.

Bennington stepped behind the microphone for Stone Temple Pilots following the departure of the late Scott Weiland, resulting in sole EP High Rise – emerging in October 2013. The frontman had previously performed ‘Wonderful’ with the group on the 2001 Family Values Tour. Touring occurred over the next two years, Bennington leaving in 2015 to concentrate on Linkin Park as well as to devote more time to his family.

Later, touring supergroup Kings Of Chaos featured Bennington alongside Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo, members of Guns N’ Roses, The Cult, Slipknot, and ZZ Top figuring among the line-up during the singer’s stint.

Bennington wed Talinda Bentley in 2006, the couple sharing three children. In addition, the singer had three children from previous relationships.