Phoenix native Chester Bennington gets special tribute at VMAs
Aug 27, 2017, 7:32 PM | Updated: Aug 28, 2017, 12:08 pm
PHOENIX — In late July, one of the biggest rock stars to ever grace the stage took his own life.
Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park and a Phoenix native, hanged himself in his home near Los Angeles.
Bennington left behind his wife, six kids, many friends and millions of fans.
Jared Leto, a musician and actor, was asked to speak at Sunday’s Video Music Awards by MTV to pay tribute to Bennington and another late musician, Chris Cornell.
“In 1976 in Phoenix, Arizona, a child was born. He was precocious, full of life and determined and grew up to become the singer of one of the biggest rock bands in the history of music. His name was Chester Bennington and the band is Linkin Park,” Leto said.
Leto said he toured with Bennington and Linkin Park and became really close with the lead singer.
It showed with his touching tribute at the VMAs.
“Chester was my friend as he was to so many and witnessing his life taught me important things, especially about working relentlessly, pursuing dreams and being kind and caring while doing it,” Leto said.
“When I think about him, Chester, I see his face, which was always smiling. I think about his heart which he wore on his sleeve. I think how kindly he treated me, my brother, Tomo, our band. I think about his wife and his six, six incredible children. I think about his family. I think about his band, who were really his brothers, and I remember his voice. At once ferocious and delicate, that voice will live forever.”
Leto closed by telling the crowd and viewers across the world to never give up on themselves and to never give in to depression. He said no one is alone in this world, and the darkest days often yield special moments.
He then made the crowd stand up to welcome the band Bennington left behind, Linkin Park, to the stage.
