Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell's friendship was a powerful force in both their lives and music, particularly in the years leading up to Bennington's death. Their bond was so strong that it transcended the realm of music, extending to shared celebrity events and personal emotions.
The two musicians frequently collaborated during live performances, such as during the 2007-2008 Projekt Revolution Tour, where Bennington joined Cornell for a rendition of "Hunger Strike" and Cornell lent his voice to Linkin Park's "Crawling." Their musical styles likely were influenced by their friendship and mutual respect, with Bennington citing Cornell and his bands as significant influences on his work.
Emotionally, the friendship between Bennington and Cornell ran deep. They shared a close bond, with Bennington serving as the godfather to Cornell's son Christopher. Their shared struggles with depression and substance abuse likely provided a sense of camaraderie and understanding, which could have been especially important during challenging times.
After Cornell's death on May 18, 2017, Bennington was deeply affected. He wrote a heartfelt open letter to Cornell, expressing his grief and conveying his inability to imagine a world without his friend. Bennington also dedicated a poignant performance of Linkin Park's "One More Light" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, honoring their friendship and shared battles.
The tragic coincidence of Bennington's death on what would have been Cornell's 54th birthday added a layer of sadness to the situation. This eerie timing highlighted the deep emotional connection between the two musicians, further emphasizing the profound impact their friendship had on each other's lives and music.
