YouTube Live performance of: Linkin Park and Friends: Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington.
The world entered a state of shock on July 20, 2017 when news broke that Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington had died from an apparent suicide.
Music lovers all across the world began to mourn his death and even casual listeners shared their grief as one of the US’s most popular alternative rock bands suffered an unanticipated blow. Bennington’s death hit the music scene especially hard, following the death of musician Chris Cornell of Soundgarden–and one of Bennington’s close friends–which occurred just two months prior. Many have speculated that it was Cornell’s death that caused Bennington to suffer from depression, leading him to take his own life.
In response to his death, Linkin Park chose to cancel their North American tour. However, three months later, they held a concert in honor of Bennington, called “Linkin Park and Friends: Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington.” Held in the Hollywood Bowl, but was streamed on youtube live, for everyone to see worldwide.
The tribute opens with Mike Shinoda, co-founder of Linkin Park, at the keyboard playing a medley of the band’s songs Robot Boy, The Messenger, and Iridescent.
(Opening number from 2:00-7:40)
By starting the tribute with Robot Boy, the audience is welcomed with a sense of comfort and belonging. The melody of the song reflects the meaning behind the lyrics:
“And you’re sure you’ve hurt in a way that no one will ever know. But someday the weight of the world will give you the strength to go.”
Although Shinoda doesn’t recite the lyrics, the message behind the words is still carried in the music since the audience understands the meaning behind the song. Shinoda then starts playing The Messenger:
“when life leaves us blind, love keeps us kind”
The lyrics resonates with the audience due to the relevance of the words; the world was left blinded and taken off guard by Bennington’s untimely death, but with the love of one another, they can continue to find a life worth living. This message of hope is continued on when Shinoda begins to sing Iridescent, with the lyrics saying:
“Remember all the sadness and frustration and let it go.”
The concert continues with many more of Linkin Park’s hits along with appearances by other bands and artists, such as Blink-182, members of Avenged Sevenfold, Steve Aoki, Ilsey Juber, and more.
However, the one song that stands out the most among the others on the setlist is One More Light from their recent album that goes by the same name.
The lyrics state:
“Just ‘cause you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
If they say, who cares if one more light goes out in a sky of a million stars? It flickers, flickers. Who cares when someone’s time runs out if a moment is all we are? We’re quicker, quicker. Who cares if one more light goes out? Well, I do.”
The song’s lyrics supported the concert’s hope to raise awareness regarding depression and suicide.
After a rendition of one of the band’s most popular songs, In the End, with Bennington’s vocals being sung by the audience, Talinda, Bennington’s wife, entered the stage and shared a moving speech. In her speech, Talinda declared that it was time to give mental health the same importance that physical health is given, partnering with a foundation entitled ChangeDirection.org which raises awareness regarding mental health issues and addiction, two battles that Talinda watched her husband face in his lifetime.
The tribute ends with the chorus of Bleed It Out, with all performers on the stage. The song soon shifts back to the chorus of The Messenger, repeating the words that Shinoda sang at the beginning of the concert:
“When life leaves us blind, love keeps us kind”
Leaving the audience with the message of hope and love that welcomed them.
Cliffs 