What makes a great frontman? What is the most important quality? Arguments can be made for a plethora of qualities necessary to lead a band. Talent is an obvious one, where artists are praised for their set of technical skills and training, whether vocally and/or mastering of an instrument. Charisma is also important, a person's stage presence, how they interview, or even just how they come across to fans is key to being likeable. I think the most impactful quality is something much harder to learn and even more rare: authenticity. I understand you can be the world's biggest band or superstar and be as plastic as the Kardashians. For me however, the greatest frontmen in the industry are the ones whom we grow to love and respect for having something that no one else does, a rawness, a realness, and a personality that shines through their music and performances. They are authentic.
I thought this week it would be fitting to pay tribute to my favourite frontman. Chester Bennington. Three years ago this week, Chester tragically took his own life. If I am being completely honest, it broke me. It broke me in a way I didn't think could or would ever happen. I found out the news at work and I cried all the way home. Except I didn't go home, I drove to my parents house and cried a some more.
The question I've asked myself is why? Why was I so deeply affected by the passing of someone who I had never actually met? Who, when it boiled down to it, I didn't really know on a personal level.
For starters I know that Linkin Park was a big part of my formative years. I discovered them in my immature, girl-crazy, teenage years and have been a huge fan ever since. But that couldn't be it. As I reflect about other bands or musicians I love or am attached to, I can't conceivably see myself reacting in such a way again.
What it boils down to is Chester's authenticity. Who he was as a person and the music that he wrote, was completely raw and personal. Growing up I felt that in the music. I glimpsed and felt a reflection of his internal pain by listening to the words he wrote. I can't tell you that I completely understood this growing up, but in the moment of his passing, it was as if I was made aware of it all at once. And all I felt was sadness, understanding that all the pain he sung about in his songs was a direct outlet of the inner trauma he experienced throughout his life.
This is what made him great. This is what inspired one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases out there. This is what made their live shows so full of emotion and energy. Passion begets passion, and Chester was the most passionate about his music. It was contagious. He sang about things that everyone feels. He described heartbreak, hate, abuse, and inner torment in a way that many could relate to. Because we all experience elements of those things. Chester laid himself bare to all of us and said 'this is me.' We saw it, we felt it. He put words to our angst and trauma, and we felt connected to him through it. I don't think there will be another person like him.
I would be remiss if didn't speak about his death. In one sense, nobody saw it coming. Interviews of his family and bandmates in the following weeks described him as upbeat, happy and looking to the future of their upcoming tour for the album One More Light. In another sense, there was a lot of pain in his life, and lot of things he lived through that he felt he could never escape. The question that we will always ask ourselves is the one that will likely never get answered: why? So the next question is, what now? Where do we go from here? I don't know If I have the right answers, but I have some ideas.
First and foremost, we can honour him. Honour his life, his music, and his legacy. Whatever that may mean for you. The second, is to raise our collective awareness of mental health and more specifically, equipping ourselves with tools to support those we love (and even ourselves). Statistics show that there is likely someone in your life struggling with depression and trauma, possibly even considering suicide. Maybe instead of posting on social media saying "I'm here, reach out" the best thing we can do is seek out the resources that are out there and educate ourselves so we can recognize those around us that are struggling.
The Edmonton chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association provides a ton of resources. You can go and read and learn. This can help in two ways. The first thing these resources can do is make you aware of things for those around you. But also, to put language to some of our own struggles. There is nothing wrong with you if you have been struggling with depression or anxiety. There is help out there. They have a 24-hour crisis line that is available to anyone who may need help or just someone to listen.
I thought about including songs throughout the blog highlighting some of the lyrics that supported what I was talking about. But I think I will just leave you with this one. May Chester's legacy and commitment to authenticity live on.
Comments