Like all Linkin Park fans, Machine Gun Kelly is beyond heartbroken over the loss of Chester Bennington, and he’s recorded a moving homage to the fallen frontman as a sign of his love and respect.
In an unexpected move, the rapper has laid himself bare with a stripped-back piano-only version of the legendary nu-metal band’s Meteora hit ‘Numb’, showcasing some soulful low vocals that we legit never knew he had.
It’s definitely not what you’d ever expect from MGK, which makes it all the more heart-wrenching because it’s without question 100% from the heart of a true fan.
“My heart hurts in ways i never thought it could,” Kelly wrote on Facebook after learning of Chester’s tragic suicide. “I heard the news when i was driving in the car with my daughter and i couldn’t even finish the drive. i pulled over and lost my shit.
“I remember watching u perform ‘Crawling’ stripped down with just Mike Shinoda playing the keys in Poland when we did that show together the other week, and your voice spoke to my soul,” he reminisced. “I’m re-living that moment now because that’s how u deserve to be remembered: a voice for those who wanted to scream out, who had pain and no way of expressing it.
“U were that for me since 11 years old and i had the honor to become friends with u and share the stage with you, but i never got to say thank you.
“You guys invited me on tour this summer and it was the happiest I’ve felt in my career, I’m sad to not be able to see it happen, but mostly just sad for music, the linkin park family, and the fans – u were one of the greatest frontmen of a band to ever live and i just want u, wherever u are, to feel loved and to be happy. thanks for everything Chester. love.”
Those words seriously hit right in the fucking guts. RIP Chester.
Listen to Machine Gun Kelly’s cover of ‘Numb’ below.
In other news, Chester was laid to rest recently at a private funeral service, and fans in Brisbane and Perth are invited to gather and pay their respects to the man whose music changed so many lives at Linkin Park-endorsed memorials this coming weekend.
If you or anyone you know needs help or information regarding mental health, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 at any time.
https://youtu.be/SzRLuBh-fto
