Scott Weiland, Lead Singer of Stone Temple Pilots, Passes Away
Gina Giordan
Scott Weiland, the lead singer of 90’s cult band Stone Temple Pilots and the rock supergroup Velvet Revolver, passed away last night in his sleep. He was 48 years old. Weiland was a very versatile musician whose career was sadly marred by problems with addiction.
According to his representatives, Weiland died in his sleep on his tour bus. The singer and his new band, Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts, were set to perform in Rochester, Minneapolis on Friday, and the band’s show outside of Minneapolis on Thursday night had been cancelled due to low ticket sales. Last March, the Wildabouts lost guitarist Jeremy Brown, who died from drug intoxication, the day before the band release their debut album, Blaster.
While the current cause of Weiland’s death is unknown, TMZ reports that according to the police recordings, the singer suffered a cardiac arrest. Whether this arrest was induced by any substances has not yet been confirmed.
Weiland’s career skyrocketed after the initial success of his band, Stone Temple Pilots. The the band was commercially successful, because their sound was considered more popular and accessible than the sound of other grunge bands of the time.
The success of Stone Temple Pilots set Weiland on a dangerous path. The singer, who had struggled with alcoholism and abuse in his youth, struggled with bipolar disorder, and turned to heroin and the band had to disband after Weiland’s antics. The band eventually reunited in 2008, but that year Weiland was sentenced to eight days in prison after pleading no contest to a drink driving charge.
Weiland is survived by his two children Lucy and Noah of his marriage with Mary Fosberg, and his wife, photographer Jamie Watchel Weiland, who married Scott in 2013.
Weiland with Mary Fosberg
Weiland with Jamie Watchell Weiland
The music world reacted to Weiland’s death. Lenny Kravitz lamented the event on his Twitter:
Dave Navarro, the guitarist for 90’s band Jane’s Addiction also expressed his thoughts on Twitter, and encouraged people to think of Weiland’s family.