Linkin Park was scheduled to perform at Central Park as part of the “Good Morning America’s” Summer Concert series, but due to lead singer Chester Bennington’s death, Chris Cornell’s daughter took its place.
Toni Cornell, 12, was joined by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder on Friday to perform a tribute to the Linkin Park frontman and her father, which brought the audience to tears.
The duo performed the classic song “Hallelujah,” a throwback to when Bennington, who was very close with Cornell, sang it as his funeral.
“Chester sang this at Chris’ funeral, and this is arguably one of the greatest songs written in the last 50 years,” Tedder said. “It’s a very special song to us, and I think to most people and especially to Toni as well.”
“It’s an honor to perform this for my dad and Chester and to sing for them,” Toni Cornell said.
Bennington was found dead in his home in July 20 at the age of 41. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office ruled it a suicide.
Toni and her sister, 17-year-old Lillian Jean, penned letters to their father after his death.
“Daddy, Let me start by saying how much I love you and how much you mean to me,” Toni wrote. “You are my idol, someone I’ve always looked up to. You were always there for me. You pushed me forward every day, and you still do.”
Watch the full performance above.
If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.
Remembering Chester Bennington: Linkin Park's 14 Biggest Songs (Videos)
"One Step Closer" (2000)
The first single off the band's debut album "Hybrid Theory," "One Step Closer" still stands as one of Linkin Park's most recognizable songs nearly two decades later.
"Crawling" (2001)
In 2002, Linkin Park won their first Grammy Award for "Crawling," one of the first singles to establish the band as an alternative radio mainstay.
"In the End" (2001)
An emotionally wrought "Hybrid Theory" standout, "In the End" is frequently hailed as the band's best song. It's also their most successful, peaking at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100.
"Somewhere I Belong" (2003)
After earning critical acclaim and commercial success with "Hybrid Theory," the band returned with "Somewhere I Belong" off follow-up "Meteora" to prove it was no fluke.
"Faint" (2003)
With its driving drum beat and heavy guitars, "Faint" is one of the most rousing singles in the band's catalogue, going on to top the rock charts and become a live show mainstay.
"Numb" (2003) / "Numb/Encore" (2004)
The third single off "Meteora," "Numb" was a hit in its own right. But when it was mashed up with Jay-Z's "Encore" for a collaborative EP its success was only prolonged.
"Breaking the Habit" (2004)
With its ominous electronica-tinged instrumentation, "Breaking the Habit" puts Bennington's vocals to the forefront, proving the band's willingness to experiment with their sound.
"What I've Done" (2007)
Certified three-times platinum, "What I've Done" is Linkin Park's most commercially successful single thanks to its use in Michael Bay's 2007 film "Transformers."
"Bleed It Out" (2007)
The second single off "Minutes to Midnight" marked a return to form, bringing back the vocal interplay between Bennington and rapper Mike Shinoda that was a hallmark of the band's earlier work.
"Shadow of the Day" (2007)
Linkin Park took a sonic left turn on "Shadow of the Day," with Bennington giving a Bono-esque vocal performance for the band's take on an arena rock single.
"New Divide" (2009)
Thanks to another successful collaboration with the "Transformers" movie franchise, "New Divide," a standout from the band's post-"Meteora" discography, went to No. 6 on the Hot 100.
"Waiting for the End" (2010)
Though Linkin Park never matched the chart success of the early 2000s, the band continued steadily releasing music and experimenting with their sound into the new decade.
"Heavy (Feat. Kiiara)" (2017)
In May 2017, just months before Bennington's death, the band's final album "One More Light" was released, featuring a new pop-oriented sound and a guest turn from Kiiara.
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Lead singer died of apparent suicide on Thursday
"One Step Closer" (2000)
The first single off the band's debut album "Hybrid Theory," "One Step Closer" still stands as one of Linkin Park's most recognizable songs nearly two decades later.
