Chester Bennington and the End of it All

Aryn Robinson
Jul 21, 2017 · 3 min read

Well folks, today was an interesting day in the entertainment and news industries. There was the trial of OJ Simpson and the fact that he was acquitted and Senator John McCain has brain cancer, but what hit me the most was the death of Chester Bennington.

Chester was the frontman in Linkin Park, a band that has been around since I was a kid. And if it still doesn’t ring a bell, they basically had the theme song for Transformers.

While growing up, I knew some of their most popular hits such as “In the End” and “Numb” but I never bought their CD’s. I had the chance to see them live a few years ago, but I passed them up for another band I like, which I have no regrets about. Their music was on my iPod, but it wasn’t a priority.

There are those on social media who claim that Linkin Park’s “Hybrid Theory” or “Meteora” was the first CD they ever bought. I cannot relate. However, they had an incredible impact on alternative-rock music; inspiring artists that I listen to today.

Despite not being a huge fan, and not having listened to their older music for years, today’s news hit me hard. I just can’t stop thinking about it all. Chester was depressed, which is not at all a surprise if you have listened to his lyrics. They were pretty dark.

There are those out there who think If I only had a huge house then I’d be happy. If I made at least 100K a year, I’d be fulfilled. I wish I could have my 15 minutes of fame because then I could live the life I’ve always dreamed of.

Here was a guy who inspired hundreds of other artists to create something of their own. He had a family and house. He’s traveled all over the world and played his own art in front of sold out venues. Through his music, he helped people battle struggles in their own lives. It was a life that many of us can only dream of.

And yet, he was never fulfilled and never truly happy.

This is something more than just another celebrity death. It’s a chance for people to discuss depression and to try to understand it on a deeper level rather than just thinking it’s feeling sad every once in a while. Depression is feeling like you’re hopeless and that you’re nothing and it can strike without a warning. It attacks at your soul and convinces you that even though you’ve done some amazing things and have people around you that genuinely care, there’s nothing in this world that’s worth living for.

Chester had a family and fans around the world and a support group of other artists and friends and he was still convinced that none of it mattered. That his life didn’t matter.

I know that my words are just floating on a page somewhere on the internet, but I wish that no one had to feel that way. I cannot imagine going through life, accomplishing major goals and building a community but still feeling completely empty inside.

Everyone deserves to live a life without constant, overbearing sadness. If you feel like you need to talk to someone about yourself or anyone else for that matter, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1–800–273–8255.

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