'Appreciate what you've got': Linkin Park honors late lead singer Chester Bennington as they win AMA for Favorite Alternative Rock Artist
Linkin Park honored their late lead singer Chester Bennington on Sunday night.
Three of the band's remaining members - Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon and Brad Delson - hit the stage as the band nabbed Favorite Alternative Rock Artist at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
And as they accepted they award, Shinoda said: 'We want to dedicate this award to Chester, to his memory, to his talent, to his sense of humor, to his joy.'
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Tribute: Linkin Park's remaining members - Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon and Brad Delson - honored their late lead singer Chester Bennington on Sunday night at the AMA
'Remember, you guys — whether you’re a fan or an artist - I want you guys to take a moment to appreciate what you’ve got and make Chester proud,' he added.
Shinoda also acknowledged his fellow nominees including Imagine Dragons.
'I got a chance to talk to those guys… who said really wonderful things about Chester. And they were similar to the things that our fans said all around the world.
'Thank you so much to all those who voted for the band, who have supported the band through thick and thin,' he concluded.
Thankful: And as they accepted they award, Shinoda said: 'We want to dedicate this award to Chester, to his memory, to his talent, to his sense of humor, to his joy.'
Tragedy: Bennington died at 41 on July 20 after hanging himself with a belt at his Palos Verdes Estates in California
Linkin Park even surprised the audience at the annual event as Mark Cuban - who announced the category winner - believed the band to be absent.
But doubts were dissipated as the handsome trio made their way to the stage and Shinoda began his speech: 'They didn’t know we were gonna be here you guys … but we’re here.'
Bennington died at 41 on July 20 after hanging himself with a belt at his Palos Verdes Estates in California.
He left behind wife Talinda Bennington and his six children - four sons and two daughters.
Surprise: Linkin Park even surprised the audience at the annual event as Mark Cuban - who announced the category winner - believed the band to be absent
In an emotional post, Talinda admitted her life has been turned into a 'sick Shakespearean tragedy' following Chester's death.
She wrote: 'I lost my soulmate and my children lost their hero - their Daddy. We had a fairytale life and now it has turned into some sick Shakespearean tragedy.'
Bennington’s family members and close friends gathered for a private funeral at South Coast Botanical Garden in Palos Verdes Estates near the late singer’s home.
The remaining members of Linkin Park have said they could never replace Chester after his suicide as the band acknowledged that his 'demons' had fed his music.
'While we don't know what path our future may take, we know that each of our lives was made better by you. Thank you for that gift. We love you, and miss you so much,' the statement said.
Old friends: Shinoda spoke Jared Leto backstage as Leto knew Bennington well
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