Earlier this year, on February 21st, 2017, we were given the opportunity to sit down with the late Chester Bennington of Linkin Park to chat about the band's seventh studio album release, One More Light.
"It's like being in a new band every time we make a record," Chester told us about Linkin Park's ability to create a totally different sound and style with every album.
He later elaborated on the band's lasting longevity in the music business, "For us… the fact that we’ve always been so open to just kinda write whatever we feel inspired to write, and not really locking us into a specific place, in terms of genre or style, that’s the thing that is the most exciting for us. We really want to be a band that melts the walls of genre."
The Phoenix born frontman admitted that his first dream was to be a Broadway theater actor, but after falling in love with Depeche Mode he knew he wanted to use his voice to make original music.
Giving us a little insight into his creative process, Chester spoke about writing music that means something. "As long as it comes from the pure place and an honest place, you can write whatever you want." He later continued, "Everyone in the world is capable of living outside the role, or beyond the roles, that they place themselves in. No matter what it is."
Bennington also opened up about some of his favorite and perhaps unexpected recording artists.
"I'm a huge Madonna fan. I've always been a Madonna fan. She's also another artist that has made it, for me, growing up wanting to be a musician... look at this really strong woman who can reinvent herself on every album. That's really awesome."
He later joked, "Between Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes, I've always got a song in my head all day long. [...] I love good songs. I think that's really the key for me. I don't really care who writes them."
Linkin Park has received two Grammy Awards since their inception in 1999. Their first album "Hybrid Theory" earned 30 million dollars in sales, making it the best-selling debut album of the 21st Century.
Looking ahead, Bennington said he believed the band had a 100 percent chance of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025, their year of eligibility.
Chester Bennington was found dead in his Los Angeles home of an apparent suicide by hanging on the morning of July 20th.
The 41-year-old musician leaves behind a wife, Talinda Ann Bentley, and six children.
Linkin Park was scheduled to kick off their One More Light World Tour on July 27th in Mansfield, Massachusetts.
Our condolences go out to Chester's family and friends.
In our short time with him, it was easy to see that he was an incredibly thoughtful and purposeful individual. Fans and the music industry alike will deeply feel Chester's absence. We've lost a true musical forerunner and a beautiful voice.
Rest in peace, Chester Bennington.