News has broken this morning that music has lost another great, as Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington has died.
“Shortly after 9 a.m. this morning (July 21), we were notified by law enforcement of a death in Palos Verdes Estates,” Brian Elias, chief of operations for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, told Rolling Stone. “We responded to the scene and unfortunately confirmed that Mr. Chester Bennington was deceased at the scene.”
He was 41-years-old, and leaves behind six children.
While his bandmate Mike Shinoda and Chris Cornell’s wife have taken to Twitter to share their heartbreak, one of Bennington’s friends is grieving in what’s been received as a polarising manner by many Korn and Linkin Park fans.
Taking to Facebook this morning, Korn guitarist Brian ‘Head’ Welch said he is “pissed”.
One fan responded with:
“As a hardcore fan of you and Korn, this is an awful time to post such an opinion. I may agree with you on it to an extent, and I do agree it is the cowardly way out, but don’t belittle the man in a time of grieving and sadness for his family, friends, and fans. Come on man..”
Another said:
“This is crazy. Coming from someone who’s a “Christian” to be so judgmental? Maybe you need to go read the Bible and take some time to really think about what you just wrote.”
Not all fans are shocked by Head’s reaction. One fan commented:
“Sorry but it’s true. In the modern world there are tons of ways to get help. Especially being are earthly as he was he could get any treatment that he wanted. But no, Chester decided that’s it’s apparently easier to end it all. What kind of message does that send to the world?”
Bennington passed away on what would have been Chris Cornell’s 53rd birthday. Cornell took his own life just over two months ago on May 18, giving the music industry a cruel reminder of the mental health battle many musicians struggle with. His wife Vicky took to Twitter today to write:
Meanwhile bandmate Mike Shinoda – who co-founded Linkin Park in ’96 and has been working with Chester since before the band’s debut LP release in 2000 – posted to Twitter:
The coroner’s department is currently conducting a death investigation, with more information set for release later today.
UPDATE: Welch has since clarified his comments: “I didn’t mean to sound insensitive about Chester,” he said. “Just dealing with a range of emotions today. Love you Chester. I’m pissed that you did this, but I know this could have been me back in the day after getting wasted one night.”
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