We are truly saddened to report Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington has died. He was 41 years old. The cause of death is reported to be suicide. Reports state his body was found this morning at a private residence in Palos Verdes Estates in L.A. County. He is survived by his wife Talinda Ann, six children and his first wife, Samantha Marie Olit.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Bennington grew up playing in a couple of bands in his hometown before auditioning to join a Californian-based band called Xero. After successfully auditioning for the band, they changed their name to Linkin Park.
They soon joined Warner Bros. Records and released their debut album, ‘Hybrid Theory’, in October 2000. The album would go on to become a worldwide success, selling over 1.5 million copies in the UK alone and over 11 million in the United States. Along with its 2003 follow-up, ‘Meteora’, Linkin Park became one of the biggest rock bands in the world with both albums spawning a plethora of hits; ‘One Step Closer’, ‘Crawling’, ‘In The End’, ‘Numb’, and ‘Faint’.
In the years that followed, Linkin Park’s commercial continued through several studio albums and live releases, while their collaboration with Jay-Z (‘Collision Course’) was well-received. With each studio album, Linkin Park stylestically grew, taking in elements of alternative metal, pop, electronica, and hip-hop.
Away from Linkin Park, Bennington formed an alternative-rock band called Dead by Sunrise, which included members of Julien-K and Orgy. Their one and only album, ‘Out of Ashes’, was released in 2009.
In 2013, he would fulfil a lifelong dream to perform with Stone Temple Pilots. Together they released an EP called ‘High Rise’ and was credited as ‘Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington’. Bennington amicably left the band in 2015 to concentrate on Linkin Park.
Musically, Bennington leaves behind an influential legacy. Linkin Park were, and still are, one of the most successful rock bands since the turn of the millennium. In an age where rock and metal has, at times, retreated back into the underground, Linkin Park have been there, making sure rock is still played to the masses; whether it be on the radio or in arenas and stadiums around the world.
For a generation of rock fans, Linkin Park’s early work was the gateway to the scene they now love being a part of.
Everyone here at Already Heard would like to send our deep condolences to Bennington’s family, friends and fans.
There are a variety of services that provide advice and support to those with mental health issues. It is important we remove the stigma of mental health and be open and honest. The following services are available:
Samaritans:
Website
Call: 116 123 (Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
E-Mail: jo@samaritans.org
CALM:
Call: 0800 58 58 58 (Open 5pm – midnight, 365 days a year)
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If you are in the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255.
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
