Chester Bennington, lead singer of the American rock band Linkin Park, died of an apparent suicide in a private apartment in California’s Los Angeles county on Thursday, police said. He was 41.
Bennington, who joined the group in 1999, became famous after the band released its debut album Hybrid Theory, which was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Rock Album, The Guardian reported.
His body was discovered on the same morning the band posted a music video of its new song, “Talking to Myself“, on Facebook.
Within hours of the announcement of his death, millions of fans were mourning his loss.
Bennington is survived by six children and his wife Talinda Ann Bentley.
In 2009, Bennington told Noisecreep in an interview that he had been struggling with drugs and alcohol. In an interview with The Guardian in 2011, he shared details of an abusive childhood.
Formed in 1996, Linkin Park has been popular among young people over the past two decades with its nu metal style, a mix of heavy metal with different kinds of music genres such as funk, hip hop and electronic. The band’s second album, Meteora, has sold more than 27 million copies. In 2004, the group collaborated with Jay-Z for an album.
Famous songs of the band include “In the End”, “Faint”, “Numb” and “One Step Closer”.
Linkin Park has performed in tours across much of Asia including Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and mainland China. Its music has inspired many local bands in the region.
