Voice Of A Generation: How Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington was OUR voice

With the shocking news of Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) and Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell both committing suicide recently, it’s important to discuss why certain people struggle with mental illnesses and pressures in life. Just because you’re a famous person doesn’t mean you’re not able to suffer from diseases of the mind.

It matters more you think. 1/6 of Linkin Park, anyone below the age of 35 or so likely grew up listening to at least one, if not more than one Linkin Park songs. The band was never that complicated musically, but even non-fans can agree that they refused to write the same album twice, boldly diving into new genres and sounds. They taugh me to push the envelope.

Multiple platinum albums and sold out world tours were the soundtrack of many a kid’s formative years. What made Linkin Park and Chester so special to me was that he was literally my voice when I could not speak. Anger, rage, depression, disappointment – all things that were difficult to quantify but had very real effects. These songs were played over and over again in our cars, at school, playing video games, and even hiding under the covers after our first breakup. This isn’t even counting the countless bands started just because Hybrid Theory and Meteora existed.

Platinum albums don’t mean you’re not struggling. Being worth millions doesn’t mean your head is in the right place. Being the vocalist of a massive rock band does not mean you’re immune to substances, depression, and suicidal thoughts. It’s ok not to be ok. And while it’s difficult to say why Chester killed himself, I can say this – he changed the world forever. He helped bands form. He was our soundtrack.

I’ll leave you with both Chester’s revealing, final interview – as well as poignant, relevant lyrics from Wage War’s track, “Youngblood”.

I hope you know that you’re missed
And even though your shell is gone, in our hearts you still exist
I just wish you knew how much you meant
To everyone around you
To those you never met

So I’ll sing
For the weak
For the broken, those in need
And I’ll keep
My heart in reach
Left wide open, set you free
You were loved