Chester Bennington’s name is back in the spotlight after the announcement of Linkin Park’s return with a new vocalist. During his active years, the American established himself as a rock star not only for his leadership of the legendary band, but also for his career as a vocalist in other groups such as Grey Daze, Dead by Sunrise and Stone Temple Pilots.
His voice is both past and present on the international rock scene. Anthems such as In the End and Numb were and continue to be heard with force, with Chester Bennington’s voice as the protagonist. “Literally, the most impressive talent I have ever seen live in my life. A vocal beast,” said Rihanna about the singer.
Linkin Park, first called Xero and then Hybrid Theory, began their career in 1996, although their leap to stardom came with their first album released in 2000, Hybrid Theory, considered the best-selling debut album of the 90s.
After seven studio albums, the last of which was One More Light (2017), the band paused its activity that same year following the news of the death of its vocalist and leader, Chester Bennington himself.
How Chester Bennington died and when
Chester Bennington was born on March 20, 1976 in Phoenix, the capital of the U.S. state of Arizona. He died on July 20, 2017 in Palos Verdes Estates, a coastal city in California, at the age of 41.
That day, the musician’s housekeeper found him dead in his home, and shortly afterward his death was ruled a suicide by hanging, although he left no note. This occurred after spending a vacation with his wife and family in Arizona. Chester Bennington decided to return alone to his Palos Verdes Estates residence, claiming that he had work to do.
The day after his death, it emerged that a half-empty bottle of alcohol was at the scene of his death, and a toxicology report released five months later reported that “a small amount” of alcohol had been found in Bennington’s body around the time of his death.
Band member Mike Shinoda confirmed his bandmate’s death via X (then Twitter). “Heartbroken and devastated, but it’s true. We will release an official statement as soon as we have it,” he wrote.
Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington | EFE Agency
