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CHESTER BENNINGTON,
1976-2017

Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington was found dead today at his home in Palos Verdes Estates. He was 41.

The death is being investigated as a possible suicide.

Band leader Mike Shinoda tweeted “Shocked and heartbroken, but it's true. An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.”

CBS Radio SVP of Programming and KROQ PD Kevin Weatherly issued the following statement:

"On behalf of everyone at KROQ, I would like to extend our deepest condolences and prayers to Chester Bennington’s family, friends and Linkin Park bandmates. KROQ, Chester and Linkin Park have been together since day 1, and our long history extends beyond the music. Chester and Linkin Park headlined many of our shows over the years, entertaining audiences and pushing the boundaries of music along the way. We are without words to describe how terribly saddened we are today. RIP friend, KROQ will miss you.”

The last person to join Linkin Park, Bennington’s angst-packed singing style and intense scream gave the band a unique presence in the nu metal scene of the early 21st century. His issues with drugs and alcohol were often discussed in LP’s songs

In the late 1990s, Zomba Music had Bennington, a Phoenix native inspired by Depeche Mode and Stone Temple Pilots, audition for Shinoda, Brad Delson and Rob Bourdon, who were then calling themselves Hybrid Theory. They tapped Bennington to replace Mark Wakefield, which led to the band securing a deal with Warner Bros., where they are still signed.

His style augmented Delson’s hard-edged guitar, Shinoda’s raps and vocals and the band’s arena-ready sound that has never dipped in popularity since they made their debut on record in 2000.

“Chester Bennington was an artist of extraordinary talent and charisma, and a human being with a huge heart and a caring soul," Warner Bros. Records Chairman/CEO Cameron Strang Strang said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his beautiful family, his bandmates and his many friends. All of us at WBR join with millions of grieving fans around the world in saying: we love you Chester and you will be forever missed.”

Their first album, Hybrid Theory, was the biggest seller of 2000 and has moved more than 11m units. Their most recent album, the May release One More Light, was their fifth to hit #1. They released a video for “Talking to Myself” today.

They landed 15 songs in the Top 5 at alternative radio; “What I’ve Done,” “Numb” and “New Divide” are among their biggest hits. Linkin Park has won two Grammy Awards.

“As the cutting-edge lead vocalist of Linkin Park, Chester’s powerful range, paired with his impressive songwriting skills, made him a bona fide hard rock hero,” said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. “His riveting stage presence made every live performance magnetic, earning him millions of fans around the globe. Having put as much passion into charitable causes as he did his musical craft, we were honored to pay tribute to him at our 2013 MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert, where he lent his time and talents to help raise money to assist members of the music community with the addiction treatment process. We have lost a truly dynamic member of the music community and our sincerest condolences go out to Chester’s family, friends, collaborators, and all who have been impacted by his work.”

The band was scheduled to start a 29-city North American leg of their current tour next week in Mansfield, Mass.

Bennington, who replaced Scott Weiland in Stone Temple Pilots in 2013 and had the band Dead by Sunrise, had been actively tweeting over the last two months about Linkin Park’s shows in Europe, his family and sports. In May he wrote, “Feeling very creative this last week. I’ve written 6 songs and I’m happy with all of them. Just getting started.”

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