He was born on March 20, 1976 in Phoenix, Arizona. His mother was a nurse and his father was a police officer dealing with child molestation cases. After his parents divorced, he moved in with his father, who often worked night shifts. A lonely teenager began to write poems and compose his first songs. He conveyed his emotions in them. Chester Bennington was abused as a child. It started when he was 7 years old and lasted another 5 years. The perpetrator was an old friend. – When I think back to when I was really young, when I was molested and all these terrible things were happening around me, I shudder – in 2008 in an interview with Kerrang!. As he himself admitted, he was afraid to reveal the truth for fear of being accused of lying or being gay.
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Childhood experiences led to depression and addiction. “I’ve been taking tons of LSD”
A difficult family situation and, above all, the experience of molestation meant that Chester began to struggle with depression. Additionally, his peers bullied him at school. Drug addiction soon followed. – Then I just wanted to kill everyone and run away – in 2008. Alcohol, cocaine, LSD, marijuana – he reached for anything he could get his hands on. “It was very, very bad. I was sixteen and taking tons of LSD, drinking a lot. I switched to coke because it was cheap and it really worked – he confessed years later.
Since childhood, he dreamed of a career on the stage. Music was his greatest passion. His favorite bands were Stone Temple Pilots. “I treated them like gods. As a kid, I dreamed that one day I would be able to perform with them – in an interview with El Porvenir. After many years he joined the latter. Thus his childhood wish came true.
He was a huge success with Linkin Park. The debut album was released 23 years ago
Chester Bennington’s first band was Gray Daze. In 1998, he left, frustrated with Bennington’s lack of success. Some time later, he joined Linkin Park. In October 2000, the band released their debut album, “Hybrid Theory”. Three years later, the second album, “Meteora”, saw the light of day. Both albums were a huge success, and Linkin Park became one of the most popular rock bands in the world, appearing at the top for several years. He gave concerts all over the world, records sold in millions of copies. The band experimented with musical genres, but still stayed within the limits of heavier sounds.
Huge successes went hand in hand with illness and addictions. “He fell into such a pit that you can’t even imagine”
Throughout this time, Bennington struggled with depression and addictions, which caused him problems during the recording of subsequent albums. At concerts, however, he tried to give his best. – When he hit the bottom, it happened so fast and suddenly that he fell into a pit you can’t even imagine. Because of this, he began to think different things about himself. A lot of people loved Chester, but he didn’t think he was worthy of that love – Sean Dowdell, Bennington’s friend, on “Revolver’s Fan First” podcast. With the help of family and friends, he battled his addictions. “Now I choose sobriety. I’ve been drinking for the last six years, but I don’t want to be that person anymore – in 2008 in an interview with Kerrang!.
In the mid-2000s, Bennington befriended Chris Cornell, the lead singer of Soundgarden. They remained in close relations for years. On May 18, 2017, Cornell hanged himself in a hotel room. Bennington sang Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at a friend’s funeral. The band continued to tour and played in Poland. He took a short break in July.
On July 20, 2017, on Chris Cornell’s birthday and two months after his friend’s death, Chester Bennington also committed suicide. at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, Los Angeles.
You need help? If you are experiencing difficulties and are thinking about taking your own life or want to help a person at risk of suicide, remember that you can use the free help numbers:
- Support Center for Adults in Mental Crisis: 800-70-2222
- Helpline for Children and Youth: 116 111
- Emotional support phone for adults: 116 123
you will find more information on how to help yourself or others, and contacts to organizations that help people in crisis and their loved ones.
If your life is at risk due to suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide, for immediate crisis intervention, call the police on 112 or go to the A&E department of your local psychiatric hospital.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
