Linkin Park's Chester Bennington laid to rest as fans hold memorials worldwide
Bandmates and family share tributes to late singer; memorials planned worldwide
Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington was laid to rest in a private funeral in California over the weekend, while tributes continue to pour in for the late singer.
A few hundred people attended a memorial service on Saturday that included a stage set up for musical tributes, according to TMZ. According to the celebrity website, guests were given wristbands and access passes similar to a concert venue.
beautiful ceremony.. a lil piece of u has & will be in every song i sing on stage forever. <a href="https://twitter.com/ChesterBe">@chesterbe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/linkinpark">@linkinpark</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chesterbennington?src=hash">#chesterbennington</a> <a href="https://t.co/IXHMxDbvMn">pic.twitter.com/IXHMxDbvMn</a>
—@iamblackbearTouching tributes
Bennington's bandmates and family members have been penning tributes to him since his death earlier this month.
Samantha Bennington, the singer's ex-wife, praising the singer's "God given talent" in an emotional tribute posted on Facebook Sunday.
"I'm truly honored to have completed our soul contracts together," she wrote in the post. "Thank you for giving me the greatest gift ever, our beautiful son Draven."
Last week, the singer's widow Talinda Bennington released a statement to Rolling Stone, calling the singer a "bright, loving soul with an angel's voice."
Performing for Chester
Pop singer Kiiara performed a musical tribute to Bennington at New York City's Panorama Festival on Sunday, her first live performance since his death. Kiiara is featured on Linkin Park's seventh studio album, One More Light, released in May. She performs guest vocals on Heavy, the first single from the album, released before Bennington's death on July 20.
Kiiara devoted the final moments of her set to Bennington.
"I don't know what to say and there's nothing really to say to make it better, but these next two songs are for Chester."
Worldwide support
Linkin Park cancelled its North American tour following Bennington's death. His bandmates said they've since been overwhelmed by support from fans.
Band member Mike Shinoda addressed their supporters in an Instagram post on Friday, sharing a list of more than 300 public memorials taking place in hundreds of cities around the world, from Buenos Aires to Mumbai to Tokyo.
Linkin Park's bassist Dave (Phoenix) Farrell thanked fans and remembered the late singer in a series of tweets on Saturday.
It goes without saying, this last week has been extremely difficult. The outpouring of love and kindness I've received from friends and (1)
—@phoenixlpFans from all over the world has been incredible. I wish I could personally thank every one of you for your love and support... (2)
—@phoenixlpA huge part of Chester's legacy will be the memories we hold of him in our hearts. He was an enthusiastic, playful father... (3)
—@phoenixlpAn honest, and passionate musician, and a loyal friend. I've been touched to see memorials that have been held worldwide. (4)
—@phoenixlp