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11 ways Chester Bennington is living on through those he impacted

Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington was truly larger than life. His influence on music and, more importantly, the people he touched along the way can never be matched.

This massive influence is further proven as time goes on. Even after his tragic passing, friends and artists from all corners of the music world took time to honor his memory with touching tributes. 

Read more: Linkin Park, twenty one pilots collide on this mashup track

1. Talinda Bennington

It would be shameful not to lead off this list with Chester’s wife. Talinda Bennington has been a hero for mental health advocacy since her husband’s passing and continues to champion his story two years later. Aside from her many efforts to share the message of mental health awareness, Talinda spearheaded the 320 Changes Direction initiative. The charity looks to offer support for those in need, especially people who are afraid to reach out themselves.

2. Jaime Bennington

Just as involved as Talinda is Chester’s eldest son. Jaime has zoned in on furthering his father’s legacy through music. Whether it’s performing in honor of his dad at a charity benefit or re-recording Chester’s vocals with his first band, Grey Daze, he hasn’t hesitated to celebrate his dad in every way. We’re excited to see where Jaime’s immense talent leads him.

3. Machine Gun Kelly

The perfect illustration of Chester’s far-reaching influence is Machine Gun Kelly. MGK hasn’t been shy about flaunting his rock ’n’ roll side, but the rapper seems to hold a special place in his heart for Chester and Linkin Park. Aside from hopping onstage with the band ahead of a planned tour set to kick off just after Chester’s passing, Kells went as far as including a tribute in his recent video for “Hollywood Whore.” Amid the visuals for the track featuring a nod to “Numb,” is a mention of the late vocalist, flashing “R.I.P. CHESTER BENNINGTON” onscreen.

Read more: Linkin Park discussing “making new music together,” Joe Hahn says

4. Scott Stapp (Creed)

The frontman of Christian rock kings Creed has dealt with his own demons throughout his career. Because of this, Scott Stapp made a point to include a tribute to Chester and late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell in his new album. Stapp included images of the two rock icons as well as Prince in his visuals for “Gone Too Soon.” Stapp told Nightline the death of his peers caused him to look at his own issues. “Not only was I feeling the pain of their loss, but I was saying, ‘Man, that very, very easily could’ve been me and should’ve been me,’” he says.

5. Memphis May Fire

Linkin Park’s influence on metalcore is undeniable, and Memphis May Fire made a point to praise Chester with a cover of “Faint” a few months ago. Frontman Matty Mullins painted covers as a way to have fun or show off talent level usually. However, for “Faint,” the band took the track as “a chance for us to honor a band that has had a profound impact on us.”

Read more: Chester Bennington leads captivating “One More Light” vocals-only edit

6. Hybrid Theory reappearing on Billboard

Almost 19 years after its release, Linkin Park’s debut full-length, Hybrid Theory, appeared on the Billboard 200 album chart in March. This also happened shortly after Chester’s passing, but the 2019 return to the charts shows the longevity of the band and their late frontman’s affect on fans and music as a whole. The singer’s 43rd birthday could be the reason behind the spike in attention, but we’re sure it’s not the last time a Linkin Park album makes a return once again.

7. Papa Roach

A handful of bands and artists didn’t hesitate to cover Linkin Park classics in honor of Chester, but Papa Roach took it a step further. The band performed a mashup of Linkin Park’s “In The End” with a song of their own, “Forever.” After the performance, vocalist Jacoby Shaddix made a point to encourage those in trouble to seek help: “It takes courage—but you guys, every last one of you guys, are worth this life.”

8. The Word Alive 

At the time of Chester’s passing, the Word Alive were working on what would eventually be their fifth record, Violent Noise. During the recording process, frontman Telle Smith revealed the inspiration behind the album’s fifth track, “War Evermore,” was Chester. Smith shared that the song was written the day of his death, followed by a string of tweets explaining the massive inspiration the late vocalist gave him.

Read more: An exhibit honoring Chester Bennington will show never-before-seen photos

9. Mike Shinoda

Aside from Chester’s family, Linkin Park guitarist Mike Shinoda may be the strongest case of carrying his legacy forward. His friend and bandmate’s passing was a major influence on his 2018 solo effort, Post Traumatic. Shinoda has also frequently worked alongside Talinda Bennington with charity efforts, speaking on the importance of mental health awareness. 

10. Mark Morton (Lamb Of God)

Lamb Of God guitarist Mark Morton released his long-awaited solo record, Anesthetic, in March, including a previously recorded collab with Chester. After the release, Morton described the vocalist as “really positive, really enthusiastic, really motivated and just unbelievably talented.” The track even drew a blessing from Shinoda, tweeting, “Good stuff, Mark.” 

11. Chester Bennington tribute Show

Listing all the artists and bands citing Chester as an influence would lead to an endless list. However, a striking example of his immense circle was strongly shown at his own tribute show. blink-182, Alanis Morissette, Steve Aoki, Machine Gun Kelly, Bring Me The Horizon’s Oli Sykes and more played their hearts out to Chester’s memory, offering a fitting eulogy for one of rock’s greatest legends. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, there is help to be found. Please consider these online resources and talk to your regular doctor about your symptoms:

See more: In memoriam: Musicians we lost in 2019

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