Breaking: Linkin Park Break Silence In First Statement On Chester Bennington’s Death
Linkin Park / Facebook
“Dear Chester…”
The past four days have been an absolute nightmare for Los Angeles rockers Linkin Park as they struggle to come to grips with the death of singer Chester Bennington, found dead Thursday morning at the age of 41. Co-founder Mike Shinoda took to Twitter in the hours after news of Bennington’s death hit the airwaves, expressing the overwhelming combination of grief and shock that had settled over the surviving members of Linkin Park and promising a full band statement as soon as they were able to gather their wits and this morning, they delivered.
Shortly before 7am, Linkin Park issued a statement that doubled as a heartbreaking elegy to their friend and bandmate, saying:
“Dear Chester,
Our hearts are broken. The shockwaves of grief and denial are still sweeping through our family as we come to grips with what has happened.
You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realized. In the past few days, we’ve seen an outpouring of love and support, both public and private, from around the world. Talinda and the family appreciate it, and want the world to know that you were the best husband, son, and father; the family will never be whole without you.Talking with you about the years ahead together, your excitement was infectious. Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled—a boisterous, funny, ambitious, creative, kind, generous voice in the room is missing. We’re trying to remind ourselves that the demons who took you away from us were always part of the deal. After all, it was the way you sang about those demons that made everyone fall in love with you in the first place. You fearlessly put them on display, and in doing so, brought us together and taught us to be more human. You had the biggest heart, and managed to wear it on your sleeve.
Our love for making and performing music is inextinguishable. While we don’t know what path our future may take, we know that each of our lives was made better by you. Thank you for that gift. We love you, and miss you so much.
Until we see you again,
LP”
Understandably, all remaining tour dates on the band’s One More Light Tour have been canceled in the wake of Bennington’s death and as they begin to navigate the painful reality that is life without their friend and brother, we wish Linkin Park peace – this is an absolutely devastating chapter in their lives, one we wouldn’t even begin to wish on anyone and our hearts are with them every step of the way.
