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KANSAN.COM
ARTS & CULTURE
Swain: Linkin Park's Chester Bennington will be missed
Associated Press In this May 16, 2015 file photo, Chester Bennington, left, performs in New Jersey. The Los Angeles County coroner says Bennington has died in his home near Los Angeles
MICHAEL SWAIN
@mswain97
Associated Press
grew up on Linkin Park.
I grew up listening to albums "Meteora," "Hybrid Theory" and "Minutes to Midnight."
On the way to school, we would listen to "Meteora." My parents always say I would only ask for the track numbers on the album. "Seven! Let's listen to seven!" I would say. Track 7 was "Faint," one of the more electronic songs on the band's third studio album. There were many more that I loved and would blurt out as soon as we got in the car. To this day I know most lyrics to just about all Linkin Park
albums released before 2010.
when I heard that Chester Bennington had died in what has been reported as a suicide, I was surprised. But then, as I thought more about him and his music, I wasn't. Bennington used music to forget an abusive childhood and his struggles with alcoholism. Bennington was just like any one of us, a person who has their demons and is constantly trying to find ways to combat them.
Songs such as "Numb," "In The End," "Hands Held High" and "Shadow of the Day" each detail different aspects of our own lives that we deal
with. Bennington's ability to take those emotions and put words to them was fascinating. Through good times and bad, you can find a song from Linkin Park that perfectly fits with the emotion.
The band takes real emotions and problems, and turns them into catchy songs that transcend generations. I know plenty of people over the age of 40 that jam out to Linkin Park, but I also know 10-year-olds that recognize Linkin Park when it is played.
At the apex of the band's popularity as a group, it was featured in the 2007 "Transformers" movie, and even recorded an album with Jay-Z. Bennington
was the face of it all. Many people know Linkin Park because of his lungbursting vocals and his ability to be understood even when it sounded as if
his voice box was about to implode.
With Bennington's passing, many will be looking for consolation. The beautiful thing about
the lyrics Bennington sang is he already taught us all how to grieve him. Take this verse from "Leave Out All The Rest" from the album "Minutes to Midnight:"
"When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done / Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed / Don't resent me and, when you're feeling empty / Keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest."
There songs that have similar verses, but this one speaks volumes. Let us all celebrate a great life, and an incredible artist.
Rest in peace, Chester Bennington - you will be missed.
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