Chester Bennington, Linkin Park's Vocalist Dies at 41

Mike Shinoda
Mike Shinoda
By Faith MagbanuaJuly 21st, 2017

As Linkin Park released a new music video for their song Talking to Myself early Thursday, it is also the same morning their front man, Chester Bennington, was found dead in his home in Los Angeles. He was 41. 

The video was released at 9:01 a.m. Thursday before the news of Chester's death was revealed. The energetic video for their newest single "Talking to Myself" features footage of the rock band performing for fans in their current world tour. Bennington addresses his history with substance abuse from the perspective of his wife in the guitar-heavy hit.

The news that devastated fans from all over the world came crashing like a thunder in an open filed.

Chief of operations for the Los Angeles County coroner's office Brian Elias confirmed the death of the frontman, in Palos Verdes Estates, and said that it was being investigated as a possible suicide after law enforcement authorities responded to a call shortly after 9 a.m.

Chester Bennington, who was known for his piercing scream and free-flowing anguish, released seven albums with Linkin Park. The most recent, "One More Light," arrived in May and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart. The band was scheduled to start a tour with a concert on July 27 in Mansfield, Mass.

Mike Shinoda, one of Linkin Park's founders, spoke on behalf of the group in a tweet. "Shocked and heartbroken," he wrote, adding that the band would issue a statement in the next coming days.

 

Mark Shinoda
Mike Shinoda

 

Prior to the death of Chester Bennington, Soundgarden's vocalist and Bennington's friend, Chris Cornell also died due to suicide in May. Bennington responded to the suicide by hanging of his friend in a note he shared on social media. "I can't imagine a world without you in it," he wrote. "I pray you find peace in the next life."

Bennington also performed Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" at Cornell's funeral. Cornell would have turned 53 on Thursday.

related articles
LATEST FROM Culture