Creed

Biography

Creed is an American rock band that formed in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1994. The most well-known lineup consists of lead vocalist Scott Stapp, guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips. The band was a prominent force in the post-grunge movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Formation and Early Years

The foundation of Creed was laid when high school classmates Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti reconnected at Florida State University. They started writing music together and soon recruited bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips to complete the lineup. After playing in local bars and clubs, the band, initially named Naked Toddler, was renamed Creed at Marshall's suggestion.

My Own Prison and Rise to Fame

Creed independently released their debut album, "My Own Prison," in 1997 for just $6,000. After gaining airplay on a local Tallahassee radio station, they were signed by Wind-up Records, who re-released the album. The album was a commercial success, selling over six million copies and producing four No. 1 singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts: "My Own Prison," "Torn," "What's This Life For," and "One."

Human Clay and Superstardom

The band's sophomore album, "Human Clay," released in 1999, propelled them to international stardom. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and has since been certified 11x platinum (Diamond) in the United States. The album featured hit singles like "Higher" and "With Arms Wide Open," with the latter earning them a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2001. Following the success of "Human Clay," bassist Brian Marshall departed from the band in 2000 due to personal issues and conflicts within the group.

Weathered and First Breakup

With Mark Tremonti taking over bass duties, Creed released their third album, "Weathered," in 2001. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified 6x platinum. It spawned the hit singles "My Sacrifice" and "One Last Breath." Despite their continued commercial success, internal tensions, particularly with frontman Scott Stapp who was struggling with personal issues, led to the band's breakup in 2004. Following the split, Stapp pursued a solo career, while Tremonti, Phillips, and a returning Marshall formed the band Alter Bridge.

First Reunion and Full Circle

Creed reunited in 2009 with the original lineup, releasing their fourth studio album, "Full Circle," in October of that year. The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The band embarked on a reunion tour to support the album. However, the reunion was short-lived, and the band went on hiatus again in 2012.

Second Reunion

After an eleven-year hiatus, Creed announced in July 2023 that they would be reuniting for a second time. They headlined the "Summer of '99" cruise in April 2024, which sold out quickly. The band has since announced extensive touring plans for 2024 and 2025, signaling a new chapter in their career.