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Memorial held in Tempe for Chester Bennington of Linkin Park

Posted at 10:09 PM, Jul 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-31 10:17:49-04

Hundreds of fans gathered to mourn and remember Phoenix native Chester Bennington, the Linkin Park frontman, who died by suspected suicide earlier this month.

The fans gathered at Club Tattoo in Tempe, where Bennington was a co-owner.

“Giving the fans a place to come and honor him and everything seeing how he represented Arizona for all the years in Likin Park,” said Gonzo Gonzalez with Club Tattoo.

Fans shared stories with the crowd of how they connected with Bennington's music.

“His music touched a lot of people in a lot of ways, especially with his suicide, and people who were having depression because he sang with every ounce of his being,” said Jenn Lewis Pauch, a fan who helped organize the event.

Fans wrote their feelings and messages in notebooks that will be given to the family.

Many fans also got tattoos with the singer's signature or band logo.

“I went though a lot of hard times myself, and a lot of their words and music really connected to me personally," said DJ Ozark, who got a tattoo of Bennington's signature.

Pauch shared some of the words that perhaps mean the most for anyone in hard times. 

“What he said in an interview was this place right here between these ears is a bad neighborhood, and I should not be in there alone. If anybody is in that bad neighborhood alone, reach out. You’re not alone," she said.

Part of the proceeds from the event will go to Music For Relief, Chester Bennington’s charity, and his family.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always available at 1-800-273-8255 for those in need.