Read Stone Temple Pilots’ Poignant Open Letter to Scott Weiland
Stone Temple Pilots have issued a statement following the death of their former lead singer Scott Weiland, writing a heartfelt note addressed directly to the vocalist. “Let us start by saying thank you for sharing your life with us. Together we crafted a legacy of music that has given so many people happiness and great memories,” the band’s surviving members – guitarist Dean DeLeo, bassist Robert DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz – wrote. “With deep sorrow for you and your family, we are saddened to see you go.”
Weiland’s former bandmates continued, “The memories are many, and they run deep for us. We know amidst the good and the bad you struggled, time and time again. It’s what made you who you were. Part of that gift was part of your curse.”
Weiland’s tenure in Stone Temple Pilots was plagued by hiatuses and breakups as the singer struggled with drug addiction throughout his career. Following the release of the band’s breakout LP 1992’s Core, STP released 1994’s Purple, 1996’s Tiny Music… Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop, 1999’s No. 4 and 2001’s Shangri-La Dee Da before separating.
After a six-year hiatus where Weiland served as frontman for Velvet Revolver, STP reunited in 2008, resulting in one more studio album – 2010’s self-titled LP – before Weiland was “officially terminated” from the band for good in 2013; he was replaced by Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, who recently announced he would leave the group.
Following Weiland’s death Thursday night, his Velvet Revolver band mates also paid tribute to the singer. “We experienced a good chunk of life with Scott and, even in his darkest times, we all had hope and love for him. His artistry will live on, of that, there is no doubt,” the Contraband crew wrote.