BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Scott Weiland, the magnetic former frontman of the Stone Temple Pilots whose three-decade career in music also included solo albums and a spot in the supergroup Velvet Revolver, has died. He was 48.
The singer’s manager, Tom Vitorino, confirmed the death early Friday. Vitorino referred to a statement on Weiland’s Facebook page that said the singer passed away in his sleep while on a tour stop in suburban Minneapolis. The cause of death wasn’t immediately released.
Weiland’s former Stone Temple Pilot bandmates — Eric Kretz and brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo — released a statement Friday thanking the singer, who was dogged by substance-abuse problems throughout his career, “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,” the statement read. “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.”
Weiland rose to fame as the frontman of Stone Temple Pilots, which became one of the most commercially successful bands to come out of the early 1990s grunge-rock movement. The band’s 1992 debut album, “Core,” was an insta-hit and sold 8 million units. The hit single “Plush” won the Grammy for best hard rock performance.
The band’s follow-up was a white-hot success, too: 1994’s “Purple” hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard pop charts, sold 6 million copies and launched the hits “Interstate Love Song” and “Vasoline.”
Stone Temple Pilots released more successful albums before they broke up in 2003, and Weiland went on to front Velvet Revolver, the group that featured former members of Guns N’ Roses, including guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum, as well as Dave Kushner of Wasted Youth. Among that group’s hits was “Fall to Pieces” and “Slither,” which won the Grammy for best hard-rock performance.
The Stone Temple Pilots reunited in 2008, then split again in 2013. Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington took over as lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots but announced he was leaving the group last month.
