“Shortly after 9 a.m. this morning, we were notified by law enforcement of a death in Palos Verdes Estates. We responded to the scene and unfortunately confirmed that Mr. Chester Bennington was deceased at the scene”. These are the words of Brian Elias, part of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.
Bennington, mostly notably the front-man of alt-rock band Linkin Park, was only 41 when found dead earlier today. It’s a suspected suicide, and one which doesn’t seem surprising:
As reported in Rolling Stone, the musician “had a rough childhood and was molested and beaten up by an older friend beginning around age seven” which self-reportedly “destroyed” Bennington’s self confidence. Not to mention an early life of drug and alcohol abuse which can be read in further detail on Rolling Stone.
Linkin Park’s latest album, One More Light, was only released in May, and to make this news sting further for fans, the band’s tour is scheduled to begin in a week’s time on July 27.
Mike Shinoda, one of the band’s founding members and close friend of Bennington’s, tweeted earlier to confirm the news:
Shocked and heartbroken, but it's true. An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.
— Mike Shinoda (@mikeshinoda) July 20, 2017
This, of course, isn’t the only musician to have died in recent times. Chris Cornell, a close friend of Bennington’s, committed suicide whilst touring with Soundgarden in May (and, in a sordid twist of fate, today is Cornell’s birthday). Bennington even performed at Cornell’s funeral two months ago.
The thing I loved most about Bennington’s voice is how he blended the melodic and soft with the raw and rough to create something that became the Linkin Park’s trademark sound.
Listen to “In The End”, one of the band’s oldest and most notorious songs, below:
#Peace.Love.ChesterBennington
