Linkin Park pens letter to Chester Bennington

Linkin Park has released an open letter to their late singer Chester Bennington, following Bennington’s suicide last week.

“Our hearts are broken. The shockwaves of grief and denial are still sweeping through our family as we come to grips with what has happened,” the note states.

“You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realized. In the past few days, we’ve seen an outpouring of love and support, both public and private, from around the world. Talinda and the family appreciate it, and want the world to know that you were the best husband, son, and father; the family will never be whole without you.

“Talking with you about the years ahead together, your excitement was infectious. Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled—a boisterous, funny, ambitious, creative, kind, generous voice in the room is missing. We’re trying to remind ourselves that the demons who took you away from us were always part of the deal. After all, it was the way you sang about those demons that made everyone fall in love with you in the first place. You fearlessly put them on display, and in doing so, brought us together and taught us to be more human. You had the biggest heart, and managed to wear it on your sleeve.

“Our love for making and performing music is inextinguishable. While we don’t know what path our future may take, we know that each of our lives was made better by you. Thank you for that gift. We love you, and miss you so much.”

The group has also set up a special tribute page on their website called #RIPCHESTER that allows fans to leave tributes to the fallen singer. It also gives information to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline for others who need assistance.

The 41 year old Linkin Park and Stone Temple Pilots frontman took his own life last Thursday (July 20th) at his home in Palos Verdes Estates in L.A. County following a family trip to Arizona. The 41 year old’s body was found hours before Linkin Park were set for a photo shoot that day, but most likely after the group released the “Talking To Myself” music video earlier that morning.

Live Nation Entertainment has officially canceled Linkin Park’s upcoming One More Light World Tour that was set to kick off on Thursday (July 27th) in Boston with Machine Gun Kelly. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase.

IN A CRISIS? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK (8255)

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com