Aaron Lewis Pays Tribute to Linkin Park Frontman Chester Bennington

Rocker-turned-country artist Aaron Lewis lost someone he calls a “really good friend” July 20 when Chester Bennington, lead singer of the band Linkin Park, committed suicide. The artist had a show the same day and took time on stage to pay tribute to his late friend with his song “Something to Remind You.”

“I’m not really sure why he chose to take his own life, but it’s been a really sad day,” Lewis told the crowd at his show in New Hampshire at Hampton Beach Casino.

Lewis strummed solo an acoustic as he gave an emotional delivery of the song. It appeared on the self-titled album of his former band, Staind, in 2011. Staind and Linkin Park gained steam around the same time in the early to mid-2000s with their alt-rock sound that still struck a chord with Top 40 radio. They bands even toured together in 2001.

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Bennington was found dead in his Palos Verdes estate around 9AM ET on Thursday, July 20, of an apparent suicide by hanging. Rascal Flatts learned of the news mid-interview, and were taken aback as they cobbled together a gracious statement for the family involved.

Lewis released a record called Sinner in September 2016, which hit no. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 chart, and recently announced he will be touring with the band Blackberry Smoke later this year. The Sinners and Sanctified Tour kicks off Oct. 12 in Louisiana. Sinner features collaborations with a variety of artists, including Willie Nelson and Vince Gill, and his latest single, “Folded Flag,” was released for Flag Day in honor of those who serve in the military.

“In today’s world, the ultimate sacrifice that our servicemen and women give selflessly in protection of the American Dream is often overlooked,” Lewis said on Facebook at the time. “The first time I heard this song, I watched three battle-hardened special forces soldiers cry after hearing it. I knew it hit home and I know it deserved to be heard.”

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