Unknown, Kerrang, Winter 2017
But we also remembered to enjoy what we've still got.
It still feels odd to talk about Chester Bennington in the past tense. But, sadly, we must. On July 20, it was reported that the Linkin Park frontman had died by suicide at home in Palos Verdes Estates, Los Angeles County, aged just 41.
"Our hearts are broken," his bandmates wrote in a statement titled 'Dear Chester'. "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. We love you, and miss you so much."
Tributes poured in from across the rock world, from artists and fans alike, all of whom had been touched by Chester and his music.
"It leaves music deprived of a charismatic frontman - a showman, even - who could make even the biggest stages around the world feel intimate,as if every word and note was for you and you alone," wrote K! editor Sam Coare in our own salute. "It leaves those closest to him without a husband, father, son, bandmate and friend. It leaves the world one true original less."
