Philly memorial for Chester Bennington is Aug. 7
This past weekend, family and close friends celebrated the life of Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington at a private service in Los Angeles, while fans worldwide organized over 300 bandendorsed memorials to pay homage to his legacy.
On Saturday, July 29, the private service at South Coast Botanical Garden in Palos Verdes Estates hosted more than 500 family members and close friends — including not only his Linkin Park bandmates but countless musicians with whom he has shared the stage alongside over the past two decades.
Led by Ted Stryker of radio station KROQ, the service had Bennington’s Stone Temple Pilots bandmates Robert and Dean DeLeo, Kings of Chaos drummer Matt Sorum, Damon Fox, and Jimmy Gnecco team up for a powerful and poignant rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Ryan Shuck — who comprised Dead By Sunrise with Chester as well as Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda and Joe Hahn were among the friends who gave heartfelt eulogies.
The outpouring of support from the Linkin Park community continues to echo around the globe just as loudly as the frontman’s immortal voice does. One fan started a Google Doc, collating and collecting all of the global memorials to share with other fans around the world.
From Africa and Asia to across Europe, Oceania, and South America, “LP Ambassadors” and fan sites honored Bennington, who died by suicide July 20, and his memory with their own touching tributes. Throughout these countries, thousands have created artwork, videos, social media posts, and more about the singer, honoring him forever.
This Monday, Aug. 7, Philadelphia’s Voltage Lounge will be hosting a free event open to all ages to celebrate the life of Bennington. The venue, which has a restaurant and bar on site, donated the space for fans. All those 21+ will receive a wristband for the bar as long as they provide proper identification. One thing it won’t be is a vigil — fans are expected to come out and have a good time in commemorating the singer.
“This will be a party like atmosphere with Linkin Park music pumping all night long,” organizers say. “Come out to celebrate the life of Chester Bennington the way he would have wanted. His fans just rocking out & singing along all night long.”
Following Bennington’s death, Music For Relief, the non-profit organization Linkin Park founded in 2005, launched the One More Light Fund in honor of the frontman. Donations can be made at www.musicforrelief.org. In addition, the band shared the Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800273-TALK.