Chester Bennington an ‘extraordinary talent’
Linkin Park singer’s death strikes similarities to that of Chris Cornell
The death of Linkin NEW YORK Park frontman Chester Bennington came as a surprise to the world when it was announced, but it also struck similarities to the death of fellow rocker and close friend Chris Cornell, who killed himself in May.
The Los Angeles County coroner confirmed Friday that Bennington died by hanging. Coroner’s office spokesman Ed Winter says the 41-year-old rocker hanged himself from a bedroom door in his home near Los Angeles. Bennington was found dead Thursday.
Winter says a half-empty bottle of alcohol was found in the room, but no drugs were evident. A suicide note was not found.
Bennington had a strong bond with Cornell and died on what would have been the Soundgarden singer’s 53rd birthday.
He was also the godfather to Cornell’s 11-year-old son, Chris, and sang Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah at Cornell’s memorial.
The Cornells called Bennington a member of their family in a statement released Thursday.
“The Cornell family is overwhelmed by the heartbreaking news about Chester Bennington which tragically comes so soon after their family’s own loss,” said a family spokesperson. “They open up their loving arms to Chester’s family and share in the sorrow with all those who loved him.”
Cornell died by hanging after a concert in Detroit. Linkin Park was set to go on tour next week.
Bennington helped Linkin Park, whose sound mixed rap and rock, become one of the most commercially successful acts in the 2000s. The Grammy-winning group sold more than 10 million copies of their 2000 debut, Hybrid Theory, which featured the megahit and anthem, In the End. They sold another six million with 2003’s multiplatinum Meteora. Both albums explored feelings of frustration and fury.
Bennington struggled with drug and alcohol addictions at various times during his life. He said he had been sexually abused as a child and was homeless for months before the band found fame.
Linkin Park released their most recent album, One More Light, in May. It was an album that divided critics and fans alike for its embrace of moody pop. One song on the album, Heavy, opens with the words: “I don’t like my mind right now.”
Bennington was married to his second wife, Talinda, and had six children.
The Cornell family is overwhelmed by the heartbreaking news ... which tragically comes so soon after their family’s own loss.