It’s safe to say no one made it through this kids’ choir’s beautiful tribute to their fallen sister with dry eyes. When the director of One Voice Children’s Choir learned about the tragic passing of one of the choir’s first members, Megan, the choir reacted with a song of hope that echoed around the world. Linkin Park released “One More Light” two months after singer Chester Bennington’s passing, and his posthumous single was his finest hour as a singer.
Fans called the One Voice Children’s Choir’s rendition the best version of the song outside of Chester’s own, and said the kids made Chester proud. Fifteen million viewers tuned in to hear the kids perform “One More Light,” and it made a big impact on viewers – some of whom found hope in the message of the song, while others remembered loved ones lost too soon. The Music Man has to say that it’s a remarkable achievement for performers so young to so perfectly capture the meaning of the song, and share it so powerfully.
Fans applauded the One Voice Children’s Choir for carrying on Chester’s legacy and added comments such as “This would make Chester proud. The beauty of this made this old lady cry” and “It’s not just a song, it’s an anthem for the people who are struggling from depression. Probably the best tribute one can give to Chester.”
Linkin Park performed the definitive live version of “One More Light” on May 18, 2017, on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Chester dedicated the performance to his friend, Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, who had taken his own life in the early hours of the same day. It’s Chester’s most emotional performance, and you can really see he’s hurting, but he pulls through to deliver a heartfelt and powerful vocal. The Music Man readers will want to tune in at 3:48, where Chester delivers a scream for the ages.
Linkin Park released “One More Light,” featuring Chester on lead vocals, on October 3, 2017, as the third and final single from the album of the same name. Chester had taken his own life at age 41 two months prior to the single release on July 20, 2017.
Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda co-wrote “One More Light” with British songwriter Eg White. Shinoda said that he wrote the song in response to the recent loss of his dear friend and that the lyrics were about letting loved ones know that you care. Chester’s heart-wrenching delivery on the song is arguably his greatest vocal performance, making it an instant classic.