The frontman of Stone Temple Pilots, Scott Weiland, died last Thursday (December 3) in Los Angeles. He was 48.
Weiland, who was also the singer in rock supergroup Velvet Revolver, died in his sleep while on a tour stop in Bloomington, Minnesota with his band the Wildabouts.
Weiland formed Stone Temple Pilots with brothers Robert and Dean DeLeo in 1989. In 1993, the band’s debut album, Core, reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200. A year later, STP released the No. 1 album Purple, which contained radio hits such as Big Empty, Vasoline and Interstate Love Song.
The band has 11 Top 10 hits on the US Alternative Songs chart, including the No.1 Between The Lines in 2010.
Craig Kallman, co-CEO & Chairman of Atlantic Records in New York, has paid tribute to Weiland in a note to staff you can read below.
Dear Colleagues,
You may have heard the deeply sad news that Scott Weiland, the former lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots, passed away last night at the age of 48. Scott was a force of nature, on record and on stage. One of the most extraordinary vocalists, performers, and songwriters in rock history, he was a charismatic, galvanizing presence with an unmistakable voice and style.
In 1991, the year that I joined Atlantic Records, we signed a band from Southern California called Mighty Joe Young. By the following year, they had changed their name to Stone Temple Pilots, and I watched firsthand as they began a decade of phenomenal creativity and success. We released their debut album, Core, in September of 1992, and STP immediately became America’s biggest new rock band, going on to rank among the most accomplished and influential artists of their generation.
By the time they disbanded in 2002, STP had sold some 35 million albums worldwide, half of those in the U.S. alone. Their songs became rock anthems: “’Sex Type Thing, “ “Plush,” “Creep”, “Interstate Love Song,” and many more. Scott and STP made music that has only become more timeless over the years, sounding as fresh and vital today as the day it was recorded. In 1998, we released Scott’s acclaimed solo album, 12 Bar Blues. STP got back together in 2008, and we released their reunion album in 2010, but unfortunately, it turned out to be Scott’s last work with the band.
Scott was an incredibly creative, warm, intelligent, and inspired human being. His demons have been well publicized, but it is his incredible musical legacy that will be remembered for many years to come. Scott’s passing is a tragic loss for all of those who knew him and for his millions of fans around the world. He will be greatly missed.
Craig Kallman
Meanwhile, Weiland’s bandmates in both Stone Temple Pilot and Velvet Revolver have remembered the musician in separate posts online.
Stone Temple Pilots wrote on Facebook:
“Dear Scott,
Let us start by saying thank you for sharing your life with us.
Together we crafted a legacy of music that has given so many people happiness and great memories.
The memories are many, and they run deep for us.
We know amidst the good and the bad you struggled, time and time again.
It’s what made you who you were.
You were gifted beyond words, Scott.
Part of that gift was part of your curse.
With deep sorrow for you and your family, we are saddened to see you go.
All of our love and respect.
We will miss you brother,
Robert, Eric, Dean”
And’s Weiland four bandmates from Velvet Revolver – Duff McKagan, Slash, Dave Kushner and Matt Soran – wrote on Instagram:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of our old friend and bandmate, Scott Weiland.
“We experienced a good chunk of life with Scott, and even in his darkest times, we all had hope and love for him. His artistry will live on, of that, there is no doubt.
“Deepest condolences and sadness are for his children, Noah and Lucy. We all travelled around this world together on tour; our band, wives, and kids…and we grew to a big family that still remains to this day.
“It’s just so sad and brutal from any perspective. Rest In Peace Scott.”Music Business Worldwide
