Throughout the years, Bennington was open about his story and described his struggles as a child after he was molested and beaten by an older friend starting around the age of seven.
It destroyed my self-confidence. Like most people, I was too afraid to say anything. I didn’t want people to think…I was lying. It was a horrible experience.
Bennington’s troubles continued when his parents divorced at 11, forcing him to live with his father where he eventually started abusing drugs.
I was on 11 hits of acid a day. I dropped so much acid I’m surprised I can still speak. I’d smoke a bunch of crack, do a bit of meth and just sit there and freak out. Then I’d smoke opium to come down. I weighed 110 pounds. My mom said I looked like I stepped out of Auschwitz. So I used pot to get off drugs. Every time I’d get a craving, I’d smoke my pot.
He eventually shook the habit until Linkin Park started receiving mainstream success early on. Former bandmate Mike Shinoda recalled that period of time:
The tours we did in the beginning, everybody…was either drinking or doing drugs. I can’t think of any that were sober.
Bennington once again got clean and talked with Spin in 2009 about his troubles of abuse over the years.
It’s not cool to be an alcoholic — it’s not cool to go drink and be a dumbass. It’s cool to be a part of recovery. Most of my work has been a reflection of what I’ve been going through in one way or another.
In addition to being open about his addiction, Bennington has also spoken about his battle with depression and how he incorporated his life experiences into his music.
It was like, ‘There’s a lot of songs about depression, fear and paranoia. Are you just making it up?’ And I said no.
In 2015, Bennington broke his leg before they went on tour and he once again slipped into depression.
If we had started writing in 2015, when I personally was just like, ‘f–k the world,’ then I would’ve been in there singing songs like, ‘F–k the World.’
As the frontman for Linkin Park, Bennington helped the band reach international success with their albums Hybrid Theory, Reanimation and Meteora. Notable Linkin Park songs that launched their critically acclaimed success include, “In the End,” “New Divide,” “What I’ve Done” and “Numb.” In 2002, Linkin Park won a Grammy in Best Hard Rock Performance for their song “Crawling.”
Bennington spoke to the LA Times in 2004 about the impact of the band’s songs.
I think people don’t get told enough that they have the power to make themselves feel better. So if you can do that as much as possible…I think that’s a positive thing, and I think we do that with our music. I think that’s why a lot of kids relate to it, whether they’ve got their [stuff] together or whether they’re messes…I’m both those things myself.
Bennington has also collaborated with many artists, including Jay-Z on Linkin Park’s 2004 remix album Collision Course. The single, “Numb/Encore” won a Grammy the following year. Bennington also helped co-found the group Dead by Sunrise and took over as the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots for their 2013 EP High Rise.
He was also an outspoken support of PETA, and was an active donor to different charities including the GRAMMY Foundation MusiCares and Music for Relief.
Bennington, 41 is survived by his wife Talinda Bentley and his six children.
If you or any loved ones are struggling with addiction or depression visit: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and American Addiction Centers for more information on how to get help.