Not surprisingly, they also look very young.

Chester Bennington’s bandmates have posted the first known image of Linkin Park, taken more than 20 years ago. It shows a group of students with their arms around each other shoulders, gazing into the camera.

Chester Bennington: Music world responds to the death of Linkin Park singer

“1997 or 1998...I think this was the first photo we ever took together. We had just told Chester that we wanted him to join the band,” said the caption, written by band mate Mike Shinoda.

“He said he was ready to move out from Arizona to LA We went to a pizza place near UCLA to hang out and talk about what to do next. The band was called Xero at the time, and we probably had less than a half a dozen songs. No flame tattoos yet, no red hair yet, most of us were still in college.”

The posting of the image on Shinoda’s Instagram account came as the band also issued a public tribute to their friend and frontman, who killed himself last week. The Los Angeles coroner said the 41-year-old had hanged himself.

Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered Show all 14 1 /14 Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered The Los Angeles coroner said it appeared the musician had taken his own life Getty Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered Bennington's band Linkin Park had scheduled dates for a new tour when news of his death broke Getty Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered The singer had long suffered from alcohol and drug addiction Getty Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered Bennington's band was formed in 1996 and had international success with its 2000 album Hybrid Theory Getty Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered The singer was found dead at his home north of Los Angeles Getty Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered Chester Bennington performs in concert during the 2015 Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered Chester Bennington (right) and keyboardist Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park perform during their opening concert at the VOLT Festival in Hungary last month EPA Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered The singer performing in LA in May Rich Fury/Getty Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered Bennington in concert at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, 2013 Ethan Miller/Getty Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered The singer performing in Las Vegas in 2015 Christopher Polk/Getty Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered Bennington performs with guitarist Slash at the ninth annual MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit concert in Los Angeles in 2013 Reuters/Mario Anzuoni Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered Chester Bennington of the band Linkin Park performs during the second day of the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival Reuters/Steve Marcus Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park singer remembered

“You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realised,” said the statement. “In the past few days, we've seen an outpouring of love and support, both public and private, from around the world.”

It added: “Talking with you about the years ahead together, your excitement was infectious. Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled—a boisterous, funny, ambitious, creative, kind, generous voice in the room is missing.