REMEMBERING CHESTER BENNINGTON: ONE YEAR ON
Remembering Chester Bennington
July 20th, marks the one-year anniversary since the tragic passing of Chester Charles Bennington. Bennington who was known worldwide as Linkin Park‘s frontman, sadly committed suicide last July. The news of his death came to a shock to millions: his family, friends and even loyal fans. Twelve months on, and the world still mourns; the loss of Chester Bennington still till this day resonates with all those around the globe – that both admired and loved Chester as an individual and as an artist.
Whilst many will remember Chester as the leading-voice of Linkin Park, he also served as lead singer to the bands: Dead By Sunrise, Grey Daze and Stone Temple Pilots. Dead By Sunrise was formed by Chester himself as a side-project in 2005. In 2013, he then became also the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots, but left to soley focus on Linkin Park.
We all knew of the music Chester and his co-band-members from Linkin Park made. Their sound was quite unique to their own original music style, which has often been described as a mixture of: Alternative rock, hip-hop, metal and electronica. Forming the band in 1996, the band rose to international fame – with their debuting album Hybrid Theory (2000), which was also certified Diamond in 2005 and multi-platinum in several countries.
Below you can find and watch the tracks from Linkin Park‘s debuting album: Hybrid Theory (2000):
One Year Anniversary
To mark the anniversary of his death, KERRANG! has released a special issue where they interview Talinda Bennington, Chester’s wife and mother of their children (Susan Eubanks and Tobi Knehr). Where she will be speaking out for the first time since Chester’s tragic death of her love and loss – and also to focus on “why his tragic passing must forever inform and change our conversations around mental health” (KERRANG!).
Many have also taken to social media to remember the late talented 41-year-old artist. To start it off, Linkin Park bassist Dave Farrell has written an open letter to Chester that he posted on his Instagram account. It read, “Chester, In the past year, there hasn’t been a day that has gone by that I haven’t thought of you. I miss you, and it still hurts to not have you here. I chose not to speak at your memorial because I couldn’t formulate the words to adequately express how I felt… I chose not to speak at the Celebration of Life Concert honoring you because I knew I’d struggle to even be able to speak at all. And today, a year after your passing, I still struggle to try and eloquently express what you mean to your family, your friends, your fans… and to me. There is so much that I feel, and that I could say, and that I would want to say, and that I don’t know how to say… but one thing I know for certain, is that you are loved, and you are missed. Be Well My Friend, Dave” (Instagram Post Below).
Tom Kinnick has aso added that is has been “A year since the day we lost Chester Bennington. I remember being utterly wrecked, doing a cry on a bus and then being given space to work through that confusing reaction with this piece. It was very much appreciated then, and is very much appreciated now.” (via. Twitter), and the tributes keep pouring on in.
https://t.co/216dQRaZuc #MakeChesterProud #320ChangesDirection pic.twitter.com/v9yA6RB9XU
— LINKIN PARK (@linkinpark) July 20, 2018
Other tributes have been made, in Australia memorials have been placed by loyal fans to remember the musician, and to mark what is the First Year Anniversary. Local fan, Chris Batt – who also provided the photo for this article – went to Linkin Park’s last Birmingham gig. In a comment Chris said, “When I first saw the news about Chester (last year) it was an article written up on Facebook and I thought it was all fake until I saw multiple news stories appear on the news feed, it really broke my heart hearing it. I was so happy to see Linkin Park live at their final gig in Birmingham and I thought their performance was amazing, I enjoyed every second of it, all the songs I sang along to because of how much I listen to them over and over. I became a huge fan of LP back in 2007 and couldn’t stop listening to Hybrid Theory and the sound of Chester’s voice was so soft, the lyrics made so much sense to me. He brought so much inspiration to me and it was hard to stomach to think that the singer of my childhood has now passed.” And even now, one year on, Chester’s fan are keeping his legacy alive with the hashtag, #MakeChesterProud, that has now gone viral.
The world will remember Chester for his talented voice, and energetic soul. Whether it may be from hearing his voice on their favourite album or featured on a film soundtrack, or seeing him live performing. His talent and legacy will live on.
From 8am, join our very own Tony Heare from Midlands Metalheads Radio, as he will playing some Linkin Park tracks to commerate a year to the day since we all lost Chester Bennington.
– CHESTER CHARLES BENNINGTON –
20th March 1976 – 20th July 2017
