Bennington was only 41 years of age, and he leaves behind a wife and six children from two wives. He struggled with addictions to alcohol and drugs for years, and he has reportedly said in the past that he had thought about committing suicide because an older man had abused him during his childhood.
Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington was apparently close to Soundgarden and Audioslave lead singer Chris Cornell, who would have been 53 years old today. He apparently took it very hard when Cornell died earlier this year. The coroner ruled Cornell’s death as suicide by hanging, as he was found with an exercise band around his neck. Thus, it is probably no coincidence that Bennington committed suicide on his close friend’s birthday and in the same manner as his friend killed himself.
Chester Bennington wrote to Chris Cornell the day he died
Bennington wrote this personal message to Chris Cornell on the day of his death and posted it on Twitter.
With all of my love @chriscornell. pic.twitter.com/NFz0dnxfp8
— Chester Bennington (@ChesterBe) May 18, 2017
Linkin Park was formed in 1996 and released its debut album in 2000, which went diamond five years later in the U.S. and multi-Platinum in a number of other countries. The band was hugely popular in the alternative rock scene. Linkin Park has won two Grammys and sold more than 70 million albums around the globe. MTV2 named the band the sixth greatest group from the era of music videos and the third-greatest of this millennium.
Hip Hop Celebrities pay tribute to Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington
Very soon after TMZ broke the news of Bennington’s death, celebrities began pouring out their tributes to him.
“Massive R.I.P. to Chester Bennington of @linkinpark,” the band OneRepublic tweeted. “This BREAKS OUR HEART. Suicide is the devil on earth walking among us.”
The British band Imagine Dragons, whose lead singer Dan Reynolds recently began shedding light on his battle with the little-known condition ankylosing spondylitis, also tweeted a response to Bennington’s death.
“No words. So heartbroken. RIP Chester Bennington,” the band tweeted.
Chester it was truly a pleasure, thank you for sharing your greatness… #RIP #LinkinPark ??
— King Push (@PUSHA_T) July 20, 2017
RIP Chester. Tragic ending. Condolences his family and friends and Linkin Park ??
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) July 20, 2017
RIP Chester Bennington. Huge loss for our generation
— Tre Capital (@trecapital) July 20, 2017
We lost another legend R.I.P. Chester Bennington of (linkin park) prayers up for the family so sad
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) July 20, 2017
Ooooh noooo…????#CHESTER
Damn This really hurts a lot man #LP4EVER
— DROGASLight Out Now! (@LupeFiasco) July 20, 2017
RIP Chester Bennington Hybird Theory and Meteora were some of the first albums I ever bought at the music section at borders
— Tunji (@tunjiige) July 20, 2017
Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel called Bennington “one of the kindest men” he’s ever had on his show. He added that his heart breaks for the Linkin Park singer’s family members and friends and that he will “be missed terribly.” Motley Crue songwriter and bassist Nikki Sixx tweeted that Bennington had just told him “how happy he was.” He also described the singer as “such a sweet and talented man.” ()
Among the many other stars who posted a response to the suicide of Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington is NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., who also urged others who are struggling to cope with problems to call the suicide hotline at 800-273-TALK.
