Who was Chester Bennington? The Linkin Park singer who ruled an era and made Jay Z metal

The frontman died aged 41

(Ethan Miller/Getty)

Chester Bennington has died aged 41, the singer best known for fronting Linkin Park, an alternative band best known for releasing the iconic albums Hybrid Theory and Meteora.

TMZ reports that Bennington killed himself, his body was found in a Los Angeles Area residence just months after his good friend Chris Cornell killed himself. His band mates have since confirmed the news.

The singer had suffered for years from drug and alcohol abuse, fueled in part by a history of abuse as a child.

Linkin Park was one of the best-known nu-metal groups, coming to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Bennington married to Talinda Bentley in 2006, having previously been wed to Samantha Olit from 1996 until 2005.

The singer had six children from both of those wives, as well as a previous relationship with Elka Brand. One of the children is adopted.

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Bennington achieved notable fame with Linkin Park in 2000 following the release of Hybrid Theory, an album that would sell almost 5 million copies thanks to stand-out singles "Crawling" and "One Step Closer". The album was Grammy nominated, the song "Crawling" winning the award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

Following numerous festival appearances and the remix album, Reanimation, the band once again ruled the charts with Meteora, solidifying themselves as a leading band around the world. The album's singles "Faint", "Numb" and "Lying from You" were all released to critical acclaim, attracting the attention of Jay-Z who worked on an album of remixs with the band. Their collaboration "Numb/Encore" went on to win a Grammy.

Their next three albums, Minutes to Midnight, A Thousand Suns, and Living Things, released between 2007 and 2013 all reached number one in the United States, 2014's The Hunting Party reaching number three. Between 2013 and 2015, Bennington also played with Stone Temple Pilots, replacing Scott Weiland for a limited time.

Linkin Park then went on to release One More Light, which reached record stores in March earlier this year, reached number one once again, proving the band retained an incredible fanbase.

Bennington performed at fellow rocker Chris Cornell's funeral earlier this year, writing an open letter to the singer, personally addressed to his friend.

Just weeks ago, Bennington performed with the band at the Brixton Academy, local Grime rapper Stormzy joining on stage. His last gig with the band was in Birmingham, UK.

For confidential support on mental health call Samaritans free from any phone, at any time, on 116 123 (UK & RoI) or email jo@samaritans.org.