Ex-Stone Temple Pilots/Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington performed Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at Chris Cornell’s funeral at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Friday. Jeff Buckley, who died in 1997 and was a friend of Cornell’s, made his own version of the song famous on his album Grace.
Watch a video clip of the emotional performance below.
.@ChesterBe & Brad performed 'Hallelujah' at Chris Cornell's funeral. Heartbreaking performance ? #RIPChrisCornellhttps://t.co/vY8rUKSW4n pic.twitter.com/p3WnNWcBHp
— Linkin Park Live (@LPLive) May 26, 2017
Chester Bennington wrote the following open letter to Cornell.
Dear Chris,
I dreamt about the Beatles last night. I woke up with Rocky Raccoon playing in my head and a concerned look on my wife’s face. She told me my friend has just passed away. Thoughts of you flooded my mind and I wept. I’m still weeping, with sadness, as well as gratitude for having shared some very special moments with you and your beautiful family.
You have inspired me in many ways you could never have known. Your talent was pure and unrivaled. Your voice was joy and pain, anger and forgiveness, love and heartache all wrapped into one. I suppose that’s what we all are. You helped me understand that. I just watched a video of you singing ‘A Day In The Life’ by the Beatles and thought of my dream. I’d like to think you were saying goodbye in your own way. I can’t imagine a world without you in it.
I pray you find peace in the next life. Send me love to your wife and children, friends, and family. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life.
With all of my love.
Your friend,
Chester Bennington
