In Memoriam
Chester Bennington
March 20, 1976 – July 20, 2017 · aged 41
Nu Metal · Alternative Rock
Chester Charles Bennington was the screaming, vulnerable soul of the nu-metal generation. Born in Arizona in 1976, he became the lead vocalist for Linkin Park, whose 2000 debut album 'Hybrid Theory' became a colossal global phenomenon. Bennington’s unique voice could shift instantly from a melodic, angelic whisper to a visceral, throat-shredding scream. He channeled his own severe childhood trauma and inner demons into raw, intensely relatable lyrics on hits like 'In the End' and 'Numb,' offering a musical lifeline to millions of struggling, angst-ridden teenagers worldwide. Devastated by the death of his close friend Chris Cornell just two months prior, Bennington tragically took his own life on July 20, 2017—on what would have been Cornell's 53rd birthday. He was 41 years old. His heartbreaking departure highlighted the often-hidden agonies of mental illness behind massive fame.
Milestones
In the End, Numb, Crawling
Also remembered in 2017
- Chris Cornell (1964–2017)
- Chuck Berry (1926–2017)
- Fats Domino (1928–2017)
- Tom Petty (1950–2017)