On Thursday, July 20th at 9 A.M I received a Google News update that Chester Bennington had committed suicide earlier that morning. I remember feeling absolutely stunned by the news not knowing what to expect, and the fact that TMZ broke the news first added more confusion to the mix of emotions.

The more I considered this headline the more time passed and with that time came verified sources confirming that we, in fact, did lose a music icon. The news had caused much more confusion since they announced a new tour only a couple of months ago. While most people can argue which 90’s rock bands were good, bad, and just plain ugly, it was a commonly known societal fact that everyone liked at least one Linkin Park song.

Chester Bennington was the definition of vocal power and passion for the last 20 years throughout his journey with Linkin Park as they experimented with a variety of styles. Chester was the emotion behind the powerful lyrics that blasted through the speakers of many angry, depressed, and excited teenagers.

For me, I listened to Linkin Park when I was angry at the world and wanted to scream when I felt so alone that all I could do was sit in the corner of my bedroom and even when I wanted to get pumped up for a big event. They created so much music that grew with me as a person and helped get me through some seriously hard times, I can proudly say I still have Meteora in a CD case in the glove box of my car.

Chester's voice was soft and soothing, strong and uplifting, adaptable to the lyrics that he so passionately believed in as he sang them. It was no secret that Chester had a problem with alcohol and depression as most celebrities and rock stars do, all of which coupled with the loss of his best friend, Chris Cornell in March.

Dear Chester,

You influenced my life in so much more ways than you could possibly imagine. All of the hard times, angry and sad, alongside the happy times were accompanied by Linkin Park and your powerful voice.

Everything that felt uncertain and broken inside, you gave validity to those feelings through your music and for that reason, I can't thank you enough. Life is hard, it sucks and it beats you down until you can't seem to stand on your own, but your music helped me and countless others stand throughout our hard times.

Rest in Peace, Chester Bennington.