Why Do Most Rock Artistes Commit Suicide?
The shocking news of the death of Linkin Park’s lead singer Chester Bennington recently brings to fore the rate of suicides among most rock stars.
The 41 year-old singer was found dead at his private residence in Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles County on Thursday, July 20.
Police say that the singer, who struggled with substance abuse, is suspected to have killed himself.
Coincidentally, Bennington died on the birthday of his friend Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave who also committed suicide two months ago.
The father of six joined the rock band in March 1999 to replace a former member Mark Wakefield. At the time, Linkin Park was known as Xero. He became a household name the year after with the release of the band’s debut album Hybrid Theory, which was nominated for a Grammy award for best rock album. Their second album, Meteora, has sold over 27m units and the band collaborated with Jay-Z for 2004 EP Collision Course. They were also featured in Busta Rhymes hit track ‘We Made it’.
Linkin Park’s most recent album ‘One More Light’ was released in May and Bennington’s death came just days before the band was due to kick off the US section of their latest world tour.
While rock denizens are still reeling in pain oher the loss od yet another star, the question of these artistes taking their own lives begs to be answered. Heroin addiction, alcohol, depression are some of the reasons given.
Till date, Kurt Cobain’s suicide on April 5, 1994 is the most devastating of all. The Nirvana star who was at the peak of his career blew himself up with a shotgun. There were claims that he couldn’t handle the conflicts that came with his fame coupled with his heroin addiction.
Another grunge star, Chris Cornell who was a great friend to Bennington killed himself unexpectedly on May 18, 2017. He was found dead in the bathroom of his MGM Grand Hotel with a strap around his neck.
Other artistes like Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and Layne Staley died of heavy drug overdose.
With these deaths, it is becoming apparent that this genre of music requires a lifestyle which most of its stars cannot sustain. The pressures, temptations and excesses of the rock n roll lifestyles have resulted to the untimely passing of these talents. Maybe if the living ones dispel the illusions of fame, suicides may become a thing of the past.