Chinese Fans Mourn the Passing of Linkin Park Frontman

Linkin Park fans from around China are reacting in shock and disbelief to the sudden death of vocalist Chester Bennington in Los Angeles on Thursday. Bennington was 41.

The music of Linkin Park has been tremendously popular in China where the band has performed for thousands of fans. Linkin Park first performed in China in 2007, and would eventually channel their popularity with a cross-country tour in 2015 that saw the band play in Chongqing, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Shanghai, and Beijing, the only time they have performed in the Chinese capital (watch Linkin Park's live performance at the Workers' Stadium below, amateur video).
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Linkin Park is also well known in China from having their songs "What I've Done," "Iridescent," and "New Divide" featured in the well-received Transformers film franchise.

Linkin Park is so popular in China that they have an official Weibo account (weibo.com/linkinparkofficial). And to reciprocate the appreciation of their Chinese fans, Linkin Park vocalist Mike Shinoda decorated the Beijing stage with Chinese knot decorations.

Bennington was especially appreciative of his Chinese fans, telling the Beijinger in a 2015 interview that he was looking forward to traveling in China.

"I’m most excited to have the opportunity to see more of China and visit all of the great cities that I have only heard about or seen on TV. That is really exciting to me," said Bennington, who had also said he was excited to sample the country's cuisine.

Chinese fans honored the Linkin Park singer with online tributes, with some demonstrating their love of the band's music by quoting it. The top comment on the most recent Linkin Park Weibo post is "Why is everything so heavy?" while another reads: "Your friends all plead for you to stay."

Dismayed by Bennington's sudden death, Chinese fans took to Weibo to express what the tragic news meant for them.

"The first album I ever bought was yours," said one netizen. "You were standing confidently at the front, head held high. I can't believe what happened. Wish you peace in heaven." Another person wrote: "How many people were able to overcome their problem because of your encouragement? Why couldn't you do the same? Chester Bennington, the songs of Linkin Park are an integral part of youth, wish you find peace in heaven."

One person wrote: "I can't believe that my first time seeing them on July 26, 2015 at the concert in Beijing will also be my last time seeing them," while another said: "A voice has been silenced. I saw them perform four times, but now there won't be a fifth."

Yet another person wrote: "I gave myself the goal to go attend a music concert before I turned 25 years. Having just turned 18 and finished my gaokao examinations, my heart is full of expectations. I thought that I would have the chance, would have the chance."

With news reports explaining that Bennington hanged himself in his home, some Chinese netizens talked about their own experiences with suicide.

"I was tormented by my stepmother so much in middle school that I wanted to kill myself, and it was your music that gave me the strength to keep living," said one person before asking: "Why did you have to leave us? You are my favorite musician. You are the only person whom I would go on Baidu and make countless searches. But now, I won't search for you anymore. Goodbye."

Some netizens wondered what this will mean for Linkin Park.

"Will there still be a Linkin Park? What will happen to Linkin Park afterwards? And then I think that this news will be hardest on Mike (Shinoda) ... Linkin Park without Chester is like a body without a backbone ... But I still hope that Mike will allow Linkin Park to continue, or at least the band will remind us of Chester. Time heals all wounds."

Yet another person wrote: "Even though he made this choice, he will be happy. Let him go in peace."

Images: ChinaDaily.com.cn, Twitter, Beijing.china.org.cn, Weibo

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