Chester Bennington Leaves Stone Temple Pilots

Photo: Amy Harris thefirst3songs.com

Chester Bennington has left Stone Temple Pilots to concentrate on Linkin Park.

Bennington joined Stone Temple Pilots on a part-time basis back in 2013 after frontman Scott Weiland was sacked by the band for the third time. After recording an EP and performing live with the band on a number of occasions, both parties have agreed the split was completely amicable.

Stone Temple Pilots have said, “We have thoroughly enjoyed our time together with Chester, not only professionally, but even more so on a personal level. Sadly, it was evident that scheduling and time was working against us. Within this, there is a new beginning. There is an abundance of new music written, some of which is already recorded. We have had the fortune of playing with some very talented singers over the last few months and will continue to do so until each of us feels and knows when the right person arrives.”

Meanwhile Chester says: “The last few years have been an amazing experience. I got to create and perform with one of the greatest rock bands of our generation, that had so much influence on me growing up.

“With the amount of time STP deserves, in addition to being in Linkin Park, and with the needs of my family, one of them always seems to fall short. We decided in due fairness to friends, fans and the legacy of STP that it needs more than time was allowing me. It’s been an amazing experience and a dream come true, and I look forward to the future of both STP and Linkin Park.”

In the meantime check out the 10 things you didn’t know about Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory