R.I.P. Scott Weiland, Former Singer of Stone Temple Pilots, Found Dead at 48

This article has been updated

Very sad news as it’s being reported by KNAC and verified by Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro that former Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver vocalist Scott Weiland has been found dead on his tour bus in Minnesota by his personal manager. He turned 48 this past October. Weiland’s wife and manager confirmed his passing to LA Times.

Weiland’s FB page posted the following message:

Scott Weiland, best known as the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, passed away in his sleep while on a tour stop in Bloomington, Minnesota, with his band The Wildabouts. At this time we ask that the privacy of Scott’s family be respected.

Weiland has had a long and troubled career that included drug use and public disputes between himself and his bandmates, both current and former. He fronted STP for many years before breaking from the group in 2002, whereupon he joined Velvet Revolver in 2003. He left, once again in a publicly negative fashion, in 2008 and rejoined STP, which lasted until 2013.

Weiland’s solo band, The Wildabouts, almost immediately began touring after the DeLeo brothers announced on the STP website that they “…officially terminated Scott Weiland“. An album with The Wildabouts was released earlier this year.

Also this year, Weiland was a part of Art of Anarchy, which featured John Moyer (Disturbed), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns N’ Roses), and twin brothers Vince and Jon Votta, although he made it very clear that he did not see himself as a band member and thought of himself as a session musician.

I wish I could say that I’m surprised by this news but the reality is I’m not. Weiland led a troubled life with a lot of difficulties. Furthermore, when I saw him during the STP reunion tour, he looked absolutely awful. He was gaunt, pale (almost ashen), and moved like any step might break him. Still, it’s a tragedy to lose someone so young, especially someone with such talent.

We send our condolences to his family and friends in this tragic time. Rest in peace, Scott. I hope you’ve found peace.