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Chester Bennington, Chris Cornell Remembered at MTV VMAs

The late rockers who were close friends, both died earlier this year

Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell, rock stars who killed themselves earlier this year, were remembered at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards.

Oscar winner Jared Leto, who is also the frontman of rock band 30 Seconds to Mars, said he toured with Bennington and Cornell, and spoke passionately Sunday about his friendship with Bennington, who rose to fame as the lead singer of Linkin Park.

"I see his face, which was always smiling ... I think about how kindly he treated me, my brother, Tomo, our band ... I think about his band, who were really his brothers and I remember his voice," Leto said at the Forum in Inglewood, California. "That voice will live forever."

Before announcing a video of Linkin Park performing at the 2010 VMAs, Leto told those who might be struggling at the moment: "Hear me now, you are not alone. There is always a way forward. Reach out. Share your thoughts. Do not give up."

Cornell and Bennington were close friends, and Bennington was the godfather to Chris Cornell's 11-year-old son. Cornell hanged himself in May and Bennington hanged himself in July.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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