Chester Bennington was an American singer best known as the lead vocalist for the rock bands Linkin Park and Grey Daze. He also lent his vocal talents to Dead by Sunrise and Stone Temple Pilots. His powerful voice and emotionally charged performances earned him critical acclaim and a massive global following.
March 20, 1976: Birth of Chester Bennington
Chester Charles Bennington was born on March 20, 1976.
1993: Moving in with Mother and Early Career
At the age of 17, Bennington moved in with his mother in 1993. He worked at Burger King before pursuing a career in music.
1993: First Musical Endeavors
Bennington's musical journey began in 1993 when he sang with Sean Dowdell and His Friends? and formed the post-grunge band Grey Daze.
1994: Release of Wake Me by Grey Daze
Grey Daze released their first album, Wake Me, in 1994.
October 31, 1996: Marriage to Samantha Marie Olit
Chester Bennington married Samantha Marie Olit on October 31, 1996.
1997: Birth of Elka Brand's Second Son
Elka Brand's second son, whom Bennington later adopted, was born in 1997.
1997: Release of ...No Sun Today by Grey Daze
Grey Daze released their second album, ...No Sun Today, in 1997.
1998: Departure from Grey Daze
Bennington left Grey Daze in 1998.
October 24, 2000: Release of Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park released their debut album, Hybrid Theory, on October 24, 2000, featuring lyrics co-written by Bennington and Mike Shinoda.
2000: Release of Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park's debut album, Hybrid Theory, was released in 2000, marking a significant turning point in Bennington's career.
2002: Birth of Bennington's Child
Bennington and Samantha Marie Olit welcomed their child in 2002.
2002: Bennington Discusses Songwriting with Rolling Stone
In 2002, Bennington provided insights into his songwriting process during an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
2003: Bennington Suffers Health Issues During Meteora Recording
During the making of Meteora in 2003, Bennington experienced serious health problems, including severe abdominal pain and gastrointestinal issues, requiring him to undergo surgery.
2003: Release of Meteora
Linkin Park released their second album, Meteora, in 2003.
2005: Hybrid Theory Certified Diamond
In 2005, Hybrid Theory was certified Diamond by the RIAA, solidifying its place as a best-selling album.
2005: Formation of Dead by Sunrise
Bennington co-founded the electronic rock band Dead by Sunrise in 2005.
2005: Divorce from Samantha Marie Olit
Bennington and Samantha Marie Olit divorced in 2005.
2006: Adoption of Elka Brand's Son
Bennington adopted his then-partner Elka Brand's son in 2006.
2006: Appearance in Crank
Bennington appeared in the action film Crank in 2006.
2006: Bennington Debuts in "Crank"
Bennington made his acting debut in 2006 with a cameo appearance in the action film "Crank."
2006: Performance at KROQ's Inland Invasion Festival
Bennington performed alongside Alice in Chains at KROQ's Inland Invasion Festival in 2006.
2006: Marriage to Talinda Ann Bentley
Chester Bennington married Talinda Ann Bentley in 2006.
October 2007: Bennington Breaks Wrist During Melbourne Concert
In October 2007, Bennington broke his wrist while performing in Melbourne, Australia. Despite the injury, he finished the show before seeking medical attention.
2007: Collaboration with Young Buck
Bennington was featured on Young Buck's song "Slow Ya Roll" from the album Buck The World in 2007.
2007: Bennington and Chris Cornell Collaborate on Stage
In 2007, during the Projekt Revolution Tour, Bennington joined Cornell on stage to perform Temple of the Dog's "Hunger Strike," showcasing their close friendship.
2007: Release of Minutes to Midnight
Linkin Park released their third album, Minutes to Midnight, in 2007.
May 2008: Dead by Sunrise's Live Debut
Dead by Sunrise performed live for the first time in May 2008 at Club Tattoo's 13th anniversary party in Tempe, Arizona.
2008: Cyberstalking Incident
A cyberstalker who targeted Bennington and Talinda Ann Bentley was found guilty and sentenced to prison in 2008.
2008: Bennington and Cornell's Friendship Deepens
Bennington and Cornell's friendship grew stronger during the 2008 Projekt Revolution Tour, with Cornell joining Linkin Park on stage to perform "Crawling."
October 13, 2009: Release of Out of Ashes
Dead by Sunrise, Bennington's side project, released their debut album, Out of Ashes, on October 13, 2009.
2009: Bennington Appears in "Crank: High Voltage"
Bennington made another appearance in the 2009 sequel, "Crank: High Voltage," this time as a horse-track spectator.
2010: Recording "Crazy" with Slash
Bennington collaborated with Slash on a track titled "Crazy" for Slash's debut solo album in 2010, although it wasn't released at the time.
2010: Bennington Stars in "Saw 3D"
Bennington took on a more significant role in the 2010 horror film "Saw 3D," playing the character Evan.
2010: Appearance in Saw 3D
Bennington made an appearance in the horror film Saw 3D in 2010.
January 2011: Bennington Condemns Violence After Tucson Shooting
In January 2011, Bennington publicly condemned the violence of the Tucson shooting, advocating for peaceful expression and emphasizing the sanctity of life.
2011: Birth of Twins
Bennington and Talinda Ann Bentley became parents to twins in 2011.
2011: Bennington Achieves Sobriety
By 2011, Bennington had successfully overcome his struggles with alcohol addiction, crediting his commitment to sobriety and his desire for personal growth.
2011: Health Issues Force Linkin Park Tour Cancellations
In 2011, Bennington's health problems forced Linkin Park to cancel several tour dates. He suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery, leading to the cancellation of their final show in Florida.
2012: Bennington Executive-Produces Hellflower's Debut EP
In 2012, Bennington served as executive producer for the debut EP "Us–You" by the Los Angeles band Hellflower, fronted by his friend.
2012: Bennington Participates in "Artifact" Documentary
In 2012, Bennington shared his insights on the music industry in Jared Leto's documentary "Artifact."
2012: Linkin Park Voted Greatest Artist of the 2000s
Linkin Park was voted the greatest artist of the 2000s in a VH1 Bracket Madness poll in 2012.
February 2013: Stone Temple Pilots Parts Ways with Scott Weiland
Stone Temple Pilots announced their separation from lead singer Scott Weiland in February 2013.
May 2013: Bennington Joins Stone Temple Pilots
Bennington officially joined Stone Temple Pilots as their new lead singer in May 2013.
May 18, 2013: Bennington Performs with Stone Temple Pilots at KROQ's Weenie Roast
On May 18, 2013, Bennington made his debut performance with Stone Temple Pilots at KROQ's Weenie Roast.
October 8, 2013: Release of High Rise
Stone Temple Pilots, with Bennington as lead vocalist, released their EP, High Rise, on October 8, 2013.
January 2015: Bennington Injures Ankle, Linkin Park Cancels Tour
In January 2015, Bennington injured his ankle during a basketball game. Despite attempting to perform with crutches, the injury forced Linkin Park to cancel the remainder of their tour so he could have surgery.
2015: Departure from Stone Temple Pilots
Bennington left Stone Temple Pilots in 2015 to concentrate on his work with Linkin Park.
2016: Tour with Kings of Chaos
Bennington participated in a six-show concert tour with Kings of Chaos in 2016.
January 29, 2017: Bennington Criticizes President Trump on Twitter
On January 29, 2017, Bennington publicly criticized President Trump on Twitter, calling him a "greater threat to the USA than terrorism."
May 17, 2017: Bennington Mourns the Loss of Chris Cornell
Following Chris Cornell's suicide on May 17, 2017, a heartbroken Bennington expressed his grief on Instagram and during a moving performance of "One More Light" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Cornell's honor.
May 26, 2017: Bennington Performs at Cornell's Funeral
On May 26, 2017, Bennington paid a final tribute to his close friend Chris Cornell by singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" at his funeral in Los Angeles.
July 20, 2017: Death of Chester Bennington
Chester Bennington passed away on July 20, 2017.
October 12, 2017: Bennington's Carpool Karaoke Episode Aired Posthumously
Bennington's family allowed his episode of Carpool Karaoke, filmed shortly before his death, to air on October 12, 2017, giving fans a bittersweet glimpse of the musician's personality.
2017: Release of One More Light
One More Light, Linkin Park's seventh studio album, was released in 2017.
July 2020: Linkin Park Issues Cease and Desist to Trump Campaign
In July 2020, Bennington's earlier criticism of Trump resurfaced when Linkin Park issued a cease and desist order to the Trump campaign for using their song "In the End" in a campaign ad.
2020: Shinoda Confirms Existence of Unreleased Song
In 2020, Mike Shinoda revealed during a live stream that an unreleased Linkin Park song featuring Bennington's vocals existed.
May 2021: Release of "Crazy" Snippet
A snippet of Bennington's previously unreleased collaboration with Slash, "Crazy", was released in May 2021.
April 2022: Linkin Park Remains on Hiatus
As of April 2022, Mike Shinoda confirmed that Linkin Park remained on hiatus following Bennington's death and had no immediate plans for new music or touring.
February 23, 2024: Release of "Friendly Fire"
An unreleased Linkin Park song with Bennington's vocals, "Friendly Fire," was released on February 23, 2024, offering fans new music from the late singer.