Linkin Park Win Favorite Alt. Rock Artist Award At AMAs

Three members of Linkin Park -- co-frontman Mike Shinoda, guitarist Brad Delson and drummer Rob Bourdon -- attended the American Music Awards on Sunday night (November 19) in Los Angeles to accept the group's award for Best Alternative Rock and to pay tribute to their late bandmate Chester Bennington.

With photos of Bennington on the screen behind them, Shinoda told that crowd that producers of the show "didn't know we were gonna be here...we're here" and thanked "all the fans here and around the world who voted for the band, who have supported the band through thick and thin...We dedicate this award to (Bennington), to his memory, to his talent, to his sense of humor, his joy. All of you, tonight, whether you're a fan or an artist, I want you to take a moment to appreciate what you've got and make Chester proud."

Shinoda also thanked members of Imagine Dragons and Twenty One Pilots for their words of tribute to Bennington during the telecast.

Bennington committed suicide on July 20 at the age of 41. Linkin Park will be releasing One More Light: Live from the group's tour supporting that album earlier this year on December 15.

Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.