SINGER ELTON JOHN has shared that he was very saddened by the tragic loss of Chester Bennington and the singer’s close friend Chris Cornell this year.
Talking to The Sunday People the singer opened up about the recent tragedies.
It has been a sad few weeks. We lost Chris and then we lost Chester. They were two lovely guys.
You know artists are prone to being a little destructive, whether you are an actor or singer or visual artist.
He went on to say:
Sometimes, as Jim Carrey said when Philip Seymour Hoffman committed suicide, the noise just gets too much.
It is so awful for someone to be so depressed [that they take their own life] I just wanted to pay tribute to them, as there by the grace of God go all of us.
Just remember them fondly and the music they left. It is totally different music to the one I create but still wonderful music that has entertained millions, including me.
It’s no surprise that the exposure that celebrities have can be very negative for their mental health.
This week Justin Bieber pulled out of shows in the middle of a tour and was defended by John Mayer and other artists who agreed that everyone needs to prioritise self-care.
70-year-old Elton John was previously bereaved of his band’s bassist Bob Birch who took his life in 2012.
Heartbroken by the premature deaths of so many men in the music industry, he told Beats 1 Radio show on Apple Music:
They were incredibly talented, nice men. To their families and their children, my love. Remember music is a joyous thing and these guys left us a whole legacy of music to enjoy. They have just gone too soon.
He went on to hit out at the stigma that still exists towards LGBTQ individuals and the affect that has on mental health, pointing out that 50% of LGBTQ pupils are bullied at school and 40% of trans people have attempted to take their own lives.
“It’s a wake-up call that gay stigma and shame are still poisonous.”
If you need to talk, contact:
Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Aware 1800 804848 (depression, anxiety)
Pieta House 1800 247247 or email mary@pieta.ie – (suicide, self-harm)
Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833634 (for ages 13 to 19)
Childline 1800 666666 (for under 18s)
