The entire music world got hit with a terrible and shocking news yesterday. On the morning of June 20th, the lead singer of Linkin Park, Chester Bennington, was found dead in his residence in Los Angeles, his death confirmed as suicide.
It would probably be very hard to find one band in the alternative music scene, diverse as it may be, that wasn’t influence by Linkin Park in some way. Simple Plan are of couse among these bands, who’ve looked up to Linkin Park since the beginning and were one of the last bands who got to share the stage with them just a little over a month ago in Prague, Czech Republic at the Aerodrome Festival, which Linkin Park headlined. It is currently unknown whether the band will continue after this tragedy.
The sad news of the passing of Chester Bennington stunned the members of Simple Plan and they took to their social media to express their grief and pay their respect to the late Linkin Park lead singer. You can read up on what the band members had to say below:
I’m devastated. I don’t even know what to say. My thoughts and prayer are with the big Linkin Park family. This is so sad. Chester was always so warm, kind and generous to me and the other SP guys… I can’t stop thinking about his 6 kids…”
We had the chance to cross paths a few times and I was always so impressed by how humble and kind he was. The first time we met was in Bangkok in 2005 at the MTV Asia Aid Awards and despite the fact that he was already a superstar, he hung out with us and treated us like long-time friends. We shared the stage again in Rome and a just a few weeks ago in Prague. He took the time to watch our show and talk to us before going on stage.
It’s the biggest cliche to say something like this in these types of situations, but he seemed genuinely happy and at peace. Sending my deepest condolences to his family, bandmates and the LP community worldwide.”
Sebastien silently just posted an Instagram Story with a picture of Chester Bennington, acknowledging his legacy. Simple Plan as a band then also released an official statement through their Instagram:
On behalf of SimplePlan.cz, we would also like to express our sadness over the passing of Chester Bennington. Our heart goes out to his family, friends, band mates and also the Linkin Park fans. We feel your pain and our community is here for you. Please, if you ever feel like there’s no reason to go on, try and ask for help and talk about it. There is always someone who will listen. You matter.
