By: Amanda Meyer//

On July 20, 2017, we lost a voice of our generation. Chester Bennington, the frontman of Linkin Park, sadly took his own life. For years now, Bennington was very open about his personal struggles, from being abused as a young child to experiencing suicidal thoughts and substance abuse. He noted in the past that his brain was a place he didn’t enjoy, but helping others and being with his family, friends and the band, all made everything better. Linkin Park was getting ready for their huge summer tour, including some stadium shows with Blink-182.

The truth is, no one really understands what is going on someone else’s head. As a fan, I never expected to hear of the passing of this very talented and incredible person. The man always seemed to be smiling and was known to be the nicest and most generous person around. Bennington may have always been smiling on the outside, but he was deeply troubled on the inside. If you listen to their latest album, One More Light, it contains some of Linkin Park’s darkest lyrics.

Linkin Park changed the industry. They brought nu metal and rock music to the mainstream and nothing was the same again. The band was extremely experimental and  full of a talented assortment of people, especially Bennington. He had a voice like an angel but the screams of a devil. Their biggest accomplishment, in my opinion, is merging their unique talents with some other big names. My favorite collaboration of theirs was with Jay-Z on the Collision Course EP. It was a collaborative effort between the two artists that showcased how well rock and rap can mix together.

It’s no secret that artists who help bring music and joy to others are often the ones who struggle to bring joy to themselves. Chester Bennington was an inspiration for many and a father, a husband and a friend. We lost a very important piece of the industry and those shoes will never be filled again. He was this generation’s Kurt, Janis or Elvis. A life gone too soon, but we will live with his music forever.

Speaking out about your personal struggles may not be the easiest thing to do, but there is always help available. Everyone should know they are loved, wanted and needed in our world. If you or anyone you know needs a person to speak to or wants help, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is 1-800-273-8255. Additionally, below is a list of websites to look into for extra support.

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
https://afsp.org
http://www.suicideispreventable.org
http://www.sprc.org