Scott Weiland, Former Stone Temple Pilots Lead Singer, Dead At 48
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (CBSNewyork/AP) -- Scott Weiland, the former frontman for the Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, has died. He was 48.
The singer's manager, Tom Vitorino, confirmed the death to The Associated Press early Friday morning. Vitorino said he learned of Weiland's death from his tour manager. He did not provide further details but referenced a statement on Weiland's Facebook page.
The statement said Weiland, who was dogged by substance abuse problems throughout his career, passed away in his sleep while on a tour stop in Bloomington, Minnesota.
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Weiland's current band, Scott Weiland & the Wildabouts, had been scheduled to play a show in nearby Medina, Minnesota, according to a local venue's website. The website showed the event was canceled. It did not give a reason.
Weiland's wife, Jamie Weiland, also confirmed his death to the Los Angeles Tribune.
"I can't deal with this right now,'' she said, sobbing. "It's true.''
Celebrities and fans took to Twitter to express their shock and condolences.
Very sad news, rest in peace #ScottWeiland #toosoon
— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) December 4, 2015
Tonight we lost a talented troubled soul. R.I.P. Scott Weiland
— Rob Thomas (@ThisIsRobThomas) December 4, 2015
Rest, Scott. In peace. https://t.co/8yQQ3ZBBnY
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 4, 2015
Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of #scottweiland my thoughts are with his family. ????✌️
— Jack Osbourne (@JackOsbourne) December 4, 2015
I saw Scott Weiland perform many times and those were some of my favorite concerts of all time. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) December 4, 2015
Sad to hear about Scott Weiland passing. He was a once of a kind epic force onstage. thoughts are w his family #RIPScottWeiland
— Juliette Lewis (@JulietteLewis) December 4, 2015
RIP Scott Weiland
— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) December 4, 2015
Universe, please take care of him. https://t.co/sNXVIPl2jA
Scott Weiland was just found dead on his tour bus :(. Very sad ????
— T????mmy L33 (@MrTommyLand) December 4, 2015
Sad to hear about Scott's passing.I hope it wasn't drugs.The saddest part of the story is his kids and family being left behind. RIP
— ???? (@NikkiSixx) December 4, 2015
The singer rose to fame as the frontman of the Grammy Award-winning Stone Temple Pilots, whose hits include "Interstate Love Song,'' "Plush,'' and "Vasoline.''
The band broke up in 2003 and Weiland went on to front Velvet Revolver, the supergroup that featured former members of Guns N' Roses, including guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan. Among that group's hits was "Fall to Pieces.''
The Stone Temple Pilots eventually reunited in 2008.
"The story's not finished,'' Weiland told The Associated Press at the time. "There's more to be revealed and more to be told.''
But the group split again in 2013.
Weiland had a long string of drug- and alcohol-related arrests and stints in rehab. In 1995, he was arrested after deputies found him carrying crack and heroin. He pleaded guilty to felony heroin possession in 1998. And his arrests for drug possession and stints in rehab led the Stone Temple Pilots to cancel tour dates and contributed to their 2003 breakup.
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