Scott Weiland, the former lead singer of a number of rock bands, including Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, died in his sleep Thursday night. He was 48.
A message on Weiland’s official Facebook page said he had died in Bloomington, Minn. while on tour a tour stop with his latest band, Scott Weiland and The Wildabouts. The Associated Press reported the band was scheduled to play a concert in nearby Medina Thursday. The venue’s website showed the concert had been canceled.
Weiland’s manager, Tom Vitorino, told the Associated Press he had learned of Weiland’s death from the singer’s tour manager, but did not provide further details.
TMZ obtained an audio tape of first responders reporting to the scene of Weiland’s death. In the tape, the first responders state Weiland was dead upon their arrival.
Weiland fronted one of the most successful grunge bands of the 1990s in Stone Temple Pilots, but was also dogged by problems with substance abuse throughout his career.
Stone Temple Pilots’ 1992 debut, Core, has sold more than 8 million units in the United States. Their hits include Vasoline, Interstate Love Song and Plush, which won a Grammy in 1993 for best hard rock performance with vocal.
Amid the successes, Weiland had a long string of drug and alcohol related arrests and stints in rehab. In 1995, he was arrested after deputies found him carrying crack and heroin. He pleaded guilty to felony heroin possession in 1998. And his arrests for drug possession and stints in rehab led the Stone Temple Pilots to cancel tour dates and contributed to their 2003 breakup.
After the band split, Weiland joined former Guns N’ Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum and former Wasted Youth guitarist Dave Kushner to form the supergroup Velvet Revolver. Weiland departed Velvet Revolver in 2008 to join the reunited Stone Temple Pilots.
“The story’s not finished,” Weiland told The Associated Press at the time. “There’s more to be revealed and more to be told.”
But in February 2013, Stone Temple Pilots announced on its website that Weiland had been fired from the band. In a statement to FOX411 at the time, Weiland said, “Not sure how I can be ‘terminated’ from a band that I founded, fronted and co-wrote many of its biggest hits, but that’s something for the lawyers to figure out.”
In 2011, Weiland released his autobiography,Not Dead & Not For Sale. The title was taken from the lyrics of Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart, one of Stone Temple Pilots’ best-known songs.
additional source: foxnews.com
29 Responses
He was a talented guy, make that VERY talented. He had his demons that had haunted him and that’s well documented, but he needs to be remembered for the music he made and the talent he possessed. I couldn’t stop listening to STP’s first album, CORE, back when it came out and I liked the followup, PURPLE, even more. He was only 48 years old! Man, that is heartbreaking. R.I.P. Scott.
I echo those words James, R.I.P Scott.
Surprised Weiland even made it out of the ’90s.
Sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. Rock is great, sex is better, drugs are bad. No one has ever come back from death alive. Drugs kill, boys and girls. Will that lesson ever be learned?
“Don’t do drugs, drugs are bad, mmkay” – Mr Mackey
RIP buddy, another talent wasted before their time. 🙁
What a lousy past week: Colorado Springs, San Bernardino, and Weiland passing. Man, we really need some good news in our world these days.
This makes me sad, but I hope Scott’s soul found some peace.
Shannon, I couldn’t agree with you more.
Now regarding your comments from the Blackmore page, you’re right, your comment went right over my head, I guess I must be shrinking, LOL!
Can I borrow 5000 dollars?
$5,000? “Again?” Hold on, let me “Check My Brain,” okay, but “No Excuses” this time if you can’t pay me back! 😉
Shannon, I forgot to mention, the interest is now 50%, “Your Decision.”
What about my needs Doug?
“Would?”