Band members Mike Shinoda, Joe Hahn, Dave Farrell, Rob Bourdon and Brad share an honest reflection of the past 12 months on social media.
- Jul 21, 2018
AceShowbiz - Members of Linkin Park have paid tribute to their "brother" Chester Bennington one year after his death.
The band's frontman was found dead at his home in California on July 20, 2017 after committing suicide aged 41.
Band members Mike Shinoda, Joe Hahn, Dave Farrell, Rob Bourdon, and Brad Delson took to social media on Friday, July 20 to mark the anniversary and share an honest reflection of the past 12 months.
"To our brother Chester," they wrote on the band's official Instagram account alongside a black and white image of the musician singing to crowds.
"It has been a year since your passing—a surreal rotation of grief, heartbreak, refusal, and recognition. And yet it sill (sic) feels like you are close by, surrounding us with your memory and your light. Your one-of-a-kind spirit has authored an indelible imprint on our hearts—our jokes, our joy, and our tenderness."
The group went on to share how they are "eternally grateful" for Chester's presence in their lives and admitted they missed him "more than words can express."
The post was signed with "love" and the hashtags "#MakeChesterProud" and "#320ChangesDirection", the latter referencing the mental health campaign founded by Chester's wife Talinda. It also included contact information for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
A "heartbroken" Mike Shinoda confirmed Chester's death on Twitter at the time, with a subsequent statement from band referencing his long struggles with depression and substance abuse. The band later honoured their bandmate with a tribute concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in October 2017.
Fans have been using the hashtag "#LPMEMORIAL2018" to collectively remember the musician's life.
