Stone Temple Pilots
Biography
Stone Temple Pilots (STP) is an American rock band that rose to prominence in the 1990s. The original lineup, formed in San Diego, California, in 1989, consisted of Scott Weiland (lead vocals), brothers Dean (guitar) and Robert DeLeo (bass, backing vocals), and Eric Kretz (drums). The band was initially known as Mighty Joe Young. After signing with Atlantic Records, they changed their name to Stone Temple Pilots.
Rise to Fame and Musical Style
STP's debut album, "Core," was released in 1992 and became a massive commercial success, eventually being certified 8x platinum by the RIAA. The album featured hit singles such as "Sex Type Thing," "Plush," and "Creep." While some critics initially labeled them as "grunge imitators," the band's blend of 1970s hard rock and 1990s alternative rock, with psychedelic elements, resonated with a large audience. In 1994, the band won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance for "Plush". Their second album, "Purple" (1994), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Throughout the 1990s, the band released several more successful albums, including "Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop" (1996), "No. 4" (1999), and "Shangri-La Dee Da" (2001). The band's sound continued to evolve, incorporating various influences from psychedelic rock to bossa nova.
Hiatus and Side Projects
The band went on hiatus in 2003, and the members pursued other projects. Scott Weiland fronted the supergroup Velvet Revolver with former members of Guns N' Roses. The DeLeo brothers formed the band Army of Anyone with Richard Patrick of Filter.
Reunion and Lineup Changes
Stone Temple Pilots reunited in 2008 for a tour and released a self-titled album in 2010. However, in 2013, the band fired Weiland due to his ongoing substance abuse issues. Chester Bennington of Linkin Park took over as the lead vocalist, and the band released the EP "High Rise" in 2013. Bennington left the band amicably in 2015 to focus on Linkin Park.
Scott Weiland's Death
On December 3, 2015, Scott Weiland was found dead on his tour bus. The cause of death was determined to be an accidental overdose of cocaine, alcohol, and MDA. His passing marked a significant loss for the rock music community.
A New Era with Jeff Gutt
In 2016, STP launched an online audition for a new lead singer. On November 14, 2017, Jeff Gutt was announced as the new vocalist. With Gutt, the band has released two albums: a second self-titled album in 2018 and "Perdida" in 2020.