Chester Bennington, the lead singer of nu-metal band Linkin Park, has died in an apparent suicide at his home in Los Angeles.
News broke Thursday evening SAST, just a few hours after Linkin Park’s latest music video “Talking To Myself” debuted on YouTube.
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Bennington, who led Linkin Park’s vocal ensemble for much of his career, helped the band to 70-million album sales and two Grammy Awards. He also formed the electronic rock ensemble Dead By Sunrise in 2005.
Mike Shinoda, Linkin Park’s chief songwriter, took to Twitter 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
The tweet has since received over 210 000 retweets, and a slew of positive sentiment from fans and those in the industry.
Linkin Park’s official Twitter account led with a still of Bennington in concert, receiving close to 500 000 retweets and close to 800 000 likes in just over 10 hours.
— LINKIN PARK (@linkinpark) July 20, 2017
Musicians and celebrities led the tributes on social media. Rihanna took to Instagram hailing Bennington as the “most impressive talent” she’s seen live.
Literally the most impressive talent I’ve ever seen live! Vocal beast! #RIPChester #LinkinPark A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on
Chance the Rapper took to Twitter to offer condolences to Bennington’s friends and family.
RIP Chestered. Tragic ending. Condolences his family and friends and Linkin Park
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) July 20, 2017
Lupe Fiasco tweeted a number of responses to the news.
“Damn This really hurts a lot man,” he writes in one.
Ooooh noooo…
#CHESTER Damn This really hurts a lot man #LP4EVER
— DROGASLight Out Now! (@LupeFiasco) July 20, 2017
Paramore lead Hayley Williams posted a heartfelt introspective into the life of a musician.
“[A]rtists are ppl compelled to bring beauty into a world that can be so dark. makes sense then that artists are always conscious of darkness….. & maybe at times made more vulnerable by it? i don’t know. life can be relentless. heart hurts for Chester’s family/band/friends/fans,” tweets Williams.
artists are ppl compelled to bring beauty into a world that can be so dark. makes sense then that artists are always conscious of darkness..
— hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) July 20, 2017
… & maybe at times made more vulnerable by it? i don’t know. life can be relentless. heart hurts for Chester’s family/band/friends/fans.
— hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) July 20, 2017
OneRepublic and Nickelback also took to the social network to pay tribute to the musician.
“When life leaves us blind, love keeps us kind.” – Chester Bennington. Rest easy sir. pic.twitter.com/RLhmf0UR0B
— Nickelback (@Nickelback) July 20, 2017
Oh dear God. Massive R.I.P to Chester Bennington of @linkinpark this BREAKS OUR HEART. Suicide is the devil on earth walking amongst us
— OneRepublic (@OneRepublic) July 20, 2017
Fans expressed how Chester Bennington and Linkin Park helped them through the toughest periods of their lives.
“He got me through my suicidal period,” on user writes.
He got me through my suicidal period.
sucks that someone this impacting is gone. — ｃｕｒｓｅ (@CurseIsGod) July 20, 2017
Rest in Peace Chester. You’ve changed the lives of many through your music, life and struggles. You will be sadly missed
— Ben Downing (@MaskettaBen) July 20, 2017
Chester’s voice is a consolation in ones deepest distress. Even when you can’t understand yourself. RIP #ChesterBennington Thank you.
— Bastian Brauns (@BastianBrauns) July 20, 2017
Chester Bennington was 41.
Feature image: Drew de F Fawkes via Flickr (CC BY 2.0, resized)
