Scott Weiland, Ex-Velvet Revolver and Stone Temple Pilots Singer, Dead At 48

Breaking news, filed by our friend HIM.

Scott Weiland, the notorious and divisive singer for the Wildabouts, was found dead on his tour bus last (Thurs.) night. According to Rolling Stone, detail of his death will be released later today. 

A bright flash of energy when he arrived on the scene with STP in 1989, Weiland his bandmates were known as much for their initially derivative sound as they were for the singer’s antics and manic stage presence.  Though they branched out musically and gained more fame as a result, Weiland ultimately burned too many bridges with the rest of the band. STPs imploded in 2002.  

Weiland gained a measure of rebirth as the lead singer of Velvet Revolver in the mid-2000s, even as he continued to both alienate and attract fans and critics alike. Although he managed to recapture a bit of his mojo with a STP reunion in the late-2000s, he remained haunted by past drug use and current denials regarding his sobriety.  

The cause of Weiland’s death won’t be subject to speculation for very long. Even now, surely some have already posted conjectures about “orange juice” and/or suicide. Such smarminess is the default stance on the Internet these days.  

Thankfully readers of BBG! resist that tendency by and large.  And we can all, regardless of whether we liked his music or hated his excesses, mourn the loss of a talent who—whatever the cause—died too soon and burned out without ever truly cashing in the potential he showed.           

RIP Scott Weiland.

Comments

[Steve Argentina]

Rest in peace Scott. Nostalgic memories, thanks forall the music.

grey sad friday in Buenos Aires...

Regards

[fletch]

right after I posted my comments about Paul Stanley's solo project below, I started going through more of my junk and opened up my filing cabinet in hopes to purge more stuff.

I came across this letter from my 7th grade teacher to my parents. I don't know why I am sharing it here, but I just think it could help the depressing news coming out of out rock-n-roll world today.

I guess some things never change:

January 1983

Dear Mr. and Mrs. [fletch],

Happy New Years! I hope your holidays were enjoyable.

{fletch's] recent behavior has been extremely poor. He is extremely talkative, immature and has very little self control.

I would appreciate it if you would have a serious talk with him concerning this matter.

Thank you for your cooperation!

[teacher's signature]

postscript: a couple of years later, I attended her wedding and she told me that I was always one of her favorite students, even though I was a pain in the butt at times.

[GNR]

Such irony, I was going to see the Weiland & Wildabouts show last night and when I checked on tickets for Medina, MN it said it had been canceled. No clue it was because of this !?!?! Figured maybe poor ticket sales, so I pondered seeing them tonight in Rochester, MN in a club called the Wicked Moose (probably holds 700). Just sad... great frontman, great talent and energy when he wanted to bring it.

:( RIP Crackerman

[Dj]

This is really sad news. Being a huge Velvet Revolver fan and occasionally listening to Stone Temple Pilots there was no denying that he was a great frontman, had a unique voice, and lots of talent. Rest in peace Mr Weiland.

[Ace Steele]

Who DIDN'T see this as a forgone eventuality?

[bkallday]

A lot of garbage was released in the 90's(im lookin at u pearl jam) but STP was a great band, and their 1st release is an absolute classic! He always led a high paced, dangerous life....but he was insanely gifted as a frontman, and vocalist(at one time at least). RIP