The Untold Truth Of Chester Bennington

Chester Bennington, the voice behind Linkin Park, captivated millions with his powerful vocals and deeply personal lyrics. His journey from a troubled childhood to rock stardom is a testament to his resilience and talent. However, beneath the surface of fame and success lay a man grappling with profound emotional pain and struggles that ultimately led to his tragic death in July 2017 at the age of 41.

Bennington's story is not just about his musical achievements; it is also a poignant reminder of the battles many face behind closed doors. As we delve into the untold truths of his life, we uncover the complexities of his experiences, the challenges he overcame, and the impact he left on the world.

From his childhood abuse and early struggles with addiction to his collaborations and charity work, Chester's legacy is multifaceted. Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of a man who used his art to express his pain, connect with others, and leave an indelible mark on the music industry.

Biography
He was abused as a child
He struggled with drug addiction at a young age
He lived in his car
Warner Bros. wanted him to fire Mike Shinoda
He struggled with Linkin Park's early success
Singing used to make him throw up at shows
He had an insane cyberstalker
He started another band after Linkin Park's third album
He spoke out against gun violence
He received the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his charity work
He fronted Stone Temple Pilots
He wasn't afraid to talk about depression
He was open to collaborating with anybody
He didn't have the best reaction to One More Light critics
He was deeply affected by Chris Cornell's suicide
He was found dead on Cornell's birthday
He had a photo shoot planned the day of his suicide
Gone but not forgotten

Biography

Name	Chester Charles Bennington
Born	March 20, 1976
Died	July 20, 2017
Nationality	American
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, musician
Genres	Rock, nu-metal, alternative rock
Years active	1992–2017
Famous for	Linkin Park, Dead by Sunrise, Stone Temple Pilots

He was abused as a child

In a 2008 interview with Kerrang!, Bennington revealed that he was molested by an older friend at the age of seven. "I was getting beaten up and being forced to do things I didn't want to do. It destroyed my self-confidence," he told the magazine. "Like most people, I was too afraid to say anything. I didn't want people to think I was gay or that I was lying. It was a horrible experience."

This revelation was a defining moment in Bennington's life that he only disclosed after critics cast doubt on the authenticity of the pain in his lyrics. Despite succumbing to substance abuse to cope with the childhood trauma, Bennington chose not to pursue retribution against his abuser. After learning that his abuser had himself been a victim of abuse, Bennington said, "I didn't need revenge."

He struggled with drug addiction at a young age

Bennington's parents divorced when he was 11. "It was an awful time," he told Kerrang! "I hated everybody in my family: I felt abandoned by my mom, my dad was not very emotionally stable then, and there was no-one I could turn to—at least that's how my young mind felt."

He eventually found solace in drawing and poetry, but the biggest boost to his confidence came when he founded his first band, Grey Daze. However, this creative outlet also led him to dangerous escapism. "Getting high, drinking a lot, and having sex with a lot of great girls is a pretty good escape," he admitted.

Bennington's drug use escalated rapidly, leading him to abuse meth, opium, and LSD before reaching 17. In a 2011 interview, he reflected, "I remember that stuff happening to me at that stage and even thinking about it now makes me want to cry. My God, no wonder I became a drug addict."

He lived in his car

Before Linkin Park found success, the band—then known as Xero—was rejected by every major label. At the time, Bennington was essentially homeless and living out of his car, which was barely functional. "It wouldn't go over thirty-five miles an hour," he recalled.

Despite being a late addition to the tight-knit band, Bennington's dedication motivated the group. "We each made our own sacrifices, but Chester's was unique," guitarist Brad Delson noted. "He had so much to risk, he was extremely motivated."

Warner Bros. wanted him to fire Mike Shinoda

As Linkin Park hustled to record Hybrid Theory, Bennington and co-founder Mike Shinoda worked closely together on the lyrics. However, Warner Bros. began requesting changes that didn't sit well with Bennington.

He refused to start a coup against Shinoda, telling the label, "It's his band. If he could sing, I wouldn't have a job." The band ultimately cut off communication with the label, and Hybrid Theory became a roaring success, but not without its challenges.

He struggled with Linkin Park's early success

Despite opening up to bandmate Shinoda during the songwriting process, Bennington felt isolated from the rest of Linkin Park and spiraled into addiction. He attributed some struggles to his first marriage, describing it as toxic.

Touring only exacerbated his issues, leading to an intervention from his bandmates. "I had no idea that I had been such a nightmare," he reflected. "They said that I was two people — Chester and then that f**king guy. I didn't want to be that guy."

Singing used to make him throw up at shows

During the release of Linkin Park's second album, Meteora, Bennington suffered from a hiatal hernia, which became a nightmare for a singer. "I'm basically gonna be sick to my stomach until I have the surgery done," he explained.

As his digestive issues worsened, he had to cancel shows due to throat infections caused by stomach acid. Fortunately, Bennington overcame these medical challenges and continued to perform.

He had an insane cyberstalker

In 2006, a cyberstalker took control of nearly every online account of Bennington and his wife. The situation escalated when a former Secret Service agent traced the stalker's activity to a nuclear facility.

This harrowing experience left Bennington feeling unsafe, as the stalker had personal information about his family. Following the incident, he and his wife took steps to secure their online presence.