Linkin Park frontman, Chester Bennington dies at 41.

The voice of my childhood fades away…

A vocalist who spoke to so many with melodic singing and heart-wrenching screams; Chester Bennington had committed suicide by hanging on Thursday, 20 July.

I heard the news from a friend of mine, just as I was about to crawl into bed.

Needless to say, I was shaken beyond belief. I grew up listening to Linkin Park, and I had so many fond memories of their songs.

Almost immediately, I plugged in my headphones, cued up a playlist of all the Linkin Park songs I had, and began the journey back to the days of my childhood. Listening to songs like Papercut, Crawling, Numb, and Faint.

The next morning, I awoke to find that the music world had all gathered to express their sadness over his passing and say their goodbyes.

Bullet For My Valentine:

“Disturbed” frontman, David Draiman:

Avenged Sevenfold:

System Of A Down guitarist, Daron Malakian, who Linkin Park had featured on their song “Rebellion.”

“Skillet” frontman, John Cooper:

#ripchesterbennington I don’t usually speak out on things like this, but I feel I must. Like everyone else, I’m just shocked and broken over the suicide of Chester Bennington. I didn’t know him, never met him. But his music inspired me greatly. The first linkin park record “hybrid theory ” has remained in my top 10 best albums of all time, and top 5 best Rock albums. I LOVE linkin park and I LOVE Chester’s voice and it has been ripped away and stolen.  There’s no way to sugar coat this , or make it prettier. This just simply SUCKS. I’ve got nothing to say that can help. Michael Jackson, prince, Chris Cornell, now Chester..I just feel like I reach out to grab ahold of something that can make sense of this madness and there is  nothing there reaching back. Just infinite blackness. Tragic. I don’t want to preach. I don’t want to judge. I don’t want to make trite statements as if I have this figured out. I do not. Just like all his other fans, I’m confused.  I want to say out of total love and respect for the fans, just look at what suicide does to those who love you. It ravages the lives of those you leave behind. It’s not poetic. It’s not an answer. For those of you who have been suicidal, or had thoughts about suicide, please find someone to talk to. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Find someone that you can be honest with. We all feel a little dark sometimes. Some of us more than others. We all need hope. We all need healing. We are all the same. Please reach out to someone. “God is my refuge and my strength. He is always ready to help me in my times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

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“Halestorm” vocalist, Lzzy Hale:

RIP Chester. We lost another voice of a generation today. I’d like to remind everyone that follows me that you are never alone. Life is fucking hard and every single one of us has beasts inside of us that we battle daily. And as humans… do your part. Stop with the cyber bullying, and hating people for stupid reasons. How about instead leave up lifting messages of hope and love and rock n roll. Just one word of kindness can change someone’s life…I’ve seen it in my line of work…you are powerful enough to help someone or hurt someone…so choose to spread positivity. Chester, you will be missed, and I’m sorry that you felt like you had to leave this way. But all of the people that you’ve healed through your music, we Thank you for your time here and your music will live on through us!

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And “Slipknot” DJ, Sid Wilson:

Love you man

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Chester was known to have been struggling with drugs and alcohol throughout his career, and this struggle was used as a theme for much of Linkin Park’s music.

Depression is a horrible thing. It took the lives of Robin Williams, Chris Cornell, and now my personal childhood hero.

If you know of anyone suffering from depression, reach out to them and let them know you care. You might save a life.

Linkin Park’s last album really was just One More Light.

R.I.P. Chester Bennington.

-Tyler Roodt

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