Tom Petty, Chester Bennington + Chris Cornell Top Google’s 2017 ‘Year in Search’ List
Tom Petty, Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell ranked one, two and three, respectively, in Google's "Year in Search 2017" list. Sadly, it was in the category of "losses" as all three passed away this year unexpectedly. Collectively, their deaths sent shockwaves through the music world and pop culture landscape at large.
Chris Cornell died May 18 at the age of 52 following Soundgarden's performance at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. He died by suicide, having hung himself in his hotel room. The grunge singer, who also fronted Audioslave, Temple of the Dog and had a prolific solo career, left behind a wife and three children.
In a heartbreaking twist of fate, Chester Bennington took his life in the exact same fashion on what would've been Cornell's 53rd birthday, July 20. The two had been close friends since touring together years ago. The Linkin Park singer is survived by his wife and six children. He was just 41.
Petty was found at his home in Malibu, Calif. on Oct. 2 unresponsive and in full cardiac arrest. He died later at UCLA Medical Center. Best known as the leader of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was also part of the all-star supergroup Travelin' Wilburys with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Jeff Lynne. Petty was 66 and is survived by a wife and two children.
Linkin Park checked in at number two under "musicians and bands" on the annual feature from Google, which tracks what was trending throughout the year.
Rockers We've Lost in 2017