Music Industry Reacts to the Tragic Suicide of Linkin Park Singer Chester Bennington

Tributes from around the music industry have been pouring in since the shocking news that Linkin Park front man Chester Bennington  committed suicide. The news was even more ominous and tragic considering Bennington took his own life on what would have been Chris Cornell’s 53^rd birthday. The two were close friends, with Bennington penning a heartfelt note after Cornell’s suicide earlier this year, and giving a performance of “Hallelujah” at Cornell’s funeral.

Bennington had struggled with depression and drug abuse earlier in his career but he had appeared to be doing better in recent years. Linkin Park had just released a new album earlier this year and they were gearing up for massive summer tour of North America. All of that has ground to a halt now after the tragic turn of events.

Rap group Run the Jewels dedicated their performance on Jimmy Kimmel to him.

Rock band Seether will be dedicating their Rise Above music festival to Bennington.

Stone Temple Pilots, whom Bennington had performed with in recent years, released a heartfelt statement:

“Chester,

It is a sad day today to know that so many of us will no longer share in your laughter, friendship and love. You showed us time and time again what it is to be an incredible human being. A beacon of light and hope is what you will always be to us. We love you Chester. We will miss you.”

Stone Sour dedicated their performance of the song “Through Glass” to Bennington, with a visibly shaken Corey Taylor saying “We all lost somebody today. I lost a friend… and this was one of his favorite songs. And I wanna dedicate to him. Chester, we will fucking miss you.”

Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch has come under fire for making insensitive comments about Bennington’s suicide, calling it “…the cowardly way out” but he has since retracted his statement saying

“I didn’t mean to sound insensitive about Chester. Just dealing with a range of emotions today. Love you Chester. I’m pissed that you did this, but I know this could have been me back in the day after getting wasted one night.”

More Tributes have also been posted on Twitter:

Just when I thought my heart couldn’t break any more…..I love you T — Vicky Cornell

“When life leaves us blind, love keeps us kind.” – Chester Bennington. Rest easy sir. — Nickelback

Photo credit Shareef Ellis