Ex-STONE TEMPLE PILOTS Singer SCOTT WEILAND Found Dead
December 4, 2015**UPDATE #3**: TMZ has obtained audio of communications between the Bloomington, Minnesota police department and the Hennepin County sheriff’s department that reveals that Scott Weiland was not breathing when he was found in his tour bus in the parking lot of a motel.The dispatcher conveyed that Weiland had possibly gone into cardiac arrest as the immediate cause of death. However, the underlying cause of death has yet to be determined.
**UPDATE #2**: According to Billboard.com, the Bloomington, Minnesota Police Department issued a statement at 11:15 p.m. PT detailing the events as such: On December 3 at 8:22 p.m., officers responded to a report of an unresponsive adult male in a recreational motor vehicle located in the 2200 block of Killebrew Drive. Officers arrived and determined the adult male was deceased. The address seems to correspond to a local Country Inn & Suites hotel.
**UPDATE #1**: Police audio recordings related to Scott Weiland's death have been posted on the MNPoliceClips.com web site.
The original article follows below.
Former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and VELVET REVOLVER singer Scott Weiland was found dead on his tour bus in Minnesota. He was 48 years old.
A source connected to Scott's band THE WILDABOUTS told TMZScott was was discovered unresponsive on their bus Thursday night around 9 p.m. They had been scheduled to perform Thursday night at the Medina Entertainment Center in Medina, Minnesota. However, that concert was canceled nine days ago because of slow ticket sales, according to StarTribune.com. The group was set to perform in Rochester on Friday (December 4) at the Wicked Moose.
Weiland's wife, Jamie Weiland, confirmed his death to the Los Angeles Times, saying, "I can't deal with this right now… it's true." Weiland's manager, Tom Vitorino, also confirmed that the singer died Thursday. He said he learned of Weiland's death from his tour manager.
A posting on Scott Weiland's Facebook page reads: "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."
A few days ago, Weiland did an interview with Canada's "The Todd Shapiro Show" where he gave a lot of one-word answers and barely coherent responses. You can listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.
JANE'S ADDICTION guitarist Dave Navarro was the first fellow musician to respond to Weiland's death. He tweeted: "Just learned our friend Scott Weiland has died. So gutted, I am thinking of his family tonight." That tweet later appeared to have been removed.
Weiland had a history of drug abuse. He was arrested in 1995 for attempting to buy crack cocaine before being arrested again two years later for heroin possession. In 1999, the singer was ordered to spend a year in a county-jail recovery center due to a probation violation. He also entered rehab following a DUI arrest in November 2007.
STP fired Weiland in February 2013 after reuniting with him in 2010 for a series of tours and one self-titled album. The band had previously been on hiatus since 2002, primarily due to the singer's struggles with drugs and alcohol. STONE TEMPLE PILOTS then recruited a new frontman, Chester Bennington of LINKIN PARK, and released one critically acclaimed EP, "High Rise".
Speaking to a Canadian reporter last year, Weiland denied that his "demons" were still a factor as he continued to tour with THE WILDABOUTS. "Past demons are past demons; that's stuff that I dealt with 14 years ago," he said. "I mean, I guess Keith Richards [of THE ROLLING STONES] gets asked about [his past drug use], so why shouldn't I? But it's not something that I think about, ever. Those days of my dope abuse, and use, are long since by me."
Weiland was harshly criticized following several performances on his recent tour, with one review calling his performance "sluggish" and another stating flat-out that the vocalist "appears to have crashed and burned. Badly."
A fan-filmed April 28 video of "Vasoline" in Corpus Christi went viral, showing Weiland launching into a painfully out of tune and apathetic vocal performance that was called "unacceptable" and "heartbreaking" by fans on YouTube.
A rep for Weiland issued a statement explaining that Weiland was tired and had had a couple of drinks before the show, in addition to his earpiece audio issues.
THE WILDABOUTS guitarist Jeremy Brown died in March. The cause of his death was released in May by the Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. The report stated that Brown's death was an accident, and the result of intoxication from multiple drugs.
Weiland and his band THE WILDABOUTS were on the road promoting his new album, "Blaster", which came out on March 31.
Weiland is survived by two children, Noah and Lucy, whom he had with his ex-wife Mary Forsberg, and his current wife, whom he married in 2013.
Scott Weiland, best known as the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, passed away in his sleep while...
Posted by Scott Weiland on Thursday, December 3, 2015
Hey Scott. This was a month ago. I got your number. We were gonna hang out. I was looking forward to that. I told... https://t.co/4ofSVeIJSX
— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) December 4, 2015
RIP Scott Weiland. May you be at peace and thank you for your music, Scott.
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) December 4, 2015
Woke up to the bad news about #ScottWeiland.A true,charismatic stage animal.Guys,don't let drugs fuck up your life.It's never worthy.R.I.P.
— Cristina Scabbia (@MissScabbia) December 4, 2015
Sad news, RIP@ScottWeiland Stone Temple Pilots - Plush (Video) https://t.co/roUD0EXbU6 via YouTube https://t.co/4YPPxQpDpH
— Within Temptation (@WTofficial) December 4, 2015
Sad to hear about Scott Weiland, the first album was never off my deck in the early 90s.
— Nick Holmes (@NickHolmesPL) December 4, 2015
Scott Weiland #stp ? A true talent. A true artist. A true legend. #ripscottweiland ❤️ #OTEPhttps://t.co/GIY7U39SQS
— ☆ OTEP SHAMAYA ☆ (@otepofficial) December 4, 2015
Listening to early STP reminds me how incredible music was in the 90's, real singers, & how much it impacted me as a kid. RIP Scott Weiland
— ☆ OTEP SHAMAYA ☆ (@otepofficial) December 4, 2015
#RIP Scott Weiland #LifeIsSoShort#Shockedhttps://t.co/FGsZDljI8P
— ⒶⓈⒽⒷⒶ (@DjASHBA) December 4, 2015
R.I.P. SCOTT WEILAND. Wow! Just wow!!!
— Rikki Rockett (@RikkiRockett) December 4, 2015
R.I.P. Scott Weiland
— Joe Satriani (@chickenfootjoe) December 4, 2015
RIP SCOTT Weiland. A legend...to the end. Deepest sympathies go to his family and the DeLeo Bros.
— Lzzy Hale (@LZZYHALE) December 4, 2015
One of rock music's most influential and memorable front men Scott Weiland, so sad to lose him… https://t.co/LWwFNBr0Ch
— AREJAY HALE (@AREJAYHALE) December 4, 2015
RIP Scott. STP was one of my all time favorites and biggest influence. Back and the day and forever. ?
— TheJoeStorm (@TheJoeStorm) December 4, 2015
Such a tragedy and loss. Such a talented singer lyricists and entertainer. You inspired so many… https://t.co/UgYlmv6OTi
— Corey Lowery (@locore) December 4, 2015
This is like Layne all over again.
FUCK.
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) December 4, 2015
Very sorry to hear about Scott Weiland. He was a captivating frontman who had a gift for writing great melodies. RIP
— Myles Kennedy (@MylesKennedy) December 4, 2015
So sad to hear about Scott Weiland. Massive fan of his voice& presence. I once sang "Slither" onstage during my 1st battle of the bands. RIP
— Andy Biersack (@AndyBVB) December 4, 2015
Deeply saddened by the passing of singer #ScottWeiland. What a voice we've lost. Thoughts and prayers to his family. https://t.co/Y8dRponluc
— Alice Cooper (@RealAliceCooper) December 4, 2015
Scott Weiland was just found dead on his tour bus :(. Very sad ?
— T❍mmy L33 (@MrTommyLand) December 4, 2015
Really sorry to hear about Scott Weiland.
— Krist Novoselić (@KristNovoselic) December 4, 2015
R.I.P. Scott Weiland
— Papa Roach (@paparoach) December 4, 2015
Extremely saddened to have read Scott Weiland passed. Such a gifted performer. My thoughts are with your loved ones,friends & fans.
— Joe Perry (@JoePerry) December 4, 2015
A very sad time of year for a father to move on to the other side. RIP Scott Weiland. A true original one of a kind talent.
— Todd Dammit Kerns (@todddammitkerns) December 4, 2015
So Sorry to Hear we lost another.... #Scottweiland#Talented#STPpic.twitter.com/2ayQE3biQV
— Sean McNabb (@SeanMcNabbLA) December 4, 2015
I'm truly saddened to read that Scott Weiland has passed. I toured with Scott for a month and a half in early... https://t.co/RjpwYQqrCw
— Nick Menza (@MenzaNick) December 4, 2015
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Scott Weiland. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fans at this tragic time.
— Art Of Anarchy (@ArtOfAnarchy1) December 4, 2015
Rest in peace Scott.
— Buckcherry (@Buckcherry) December 4, 2015
RIP #ScottWeiland Omg!
— BulletBoys (@TheBulletBoys) December 4, 2015
Heart breaks over news of @thescottweiland- I have always been a huge fan of @STPBand since I was a kid. Love & Prayers for his family. #RIP
— Sonny Whosoever (@SonnyWhosoever) December 4, 2015
So sad to see such an incredible talent with potential still yet unfulfilled. May Scott Weiland have peace in... https://t.co/A9JdvvRlkq
— Doc Coyle (@DocCoyle) December 4, 2015
Fuck man ... This one hurts really bad.
No substance or high is worth your life ....
Please get help ... No matter what it takes.
— Zach Myers (@ZMyersOfficial) December 4, 2015
We lost a ROCKSTAR .... A real Rockstar
I'm not a rockstar ...I only have 2 friends who are ....
Their aren't a lot left. So bummed
— Zach Myers (@ZMyersOfficial) December 4, 2015
But remember Craig..drugs don't kill people, PEOPLE kill people! https://t.co/Z9TGbY59SV
— Tim 'Ripper' Owens (@TimRipperOwens) 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
— ❌ Nikki Sixx ❌ (@NikkiSixx) December 4, 2015
Scott Weiland... Gone too soon. Very sad. RIP
— Juan Croucier (@Juan_Croucier) December 4, 2015
Sorry to hear about the passing of my friend @thescottweiland. Legendary frontman, but soooo troubled. Sleep well bro… #vaseline
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) December 4, 2015
On the bus (and the only one still up) listening to #Core by @STPBand. I hated the 90s at the time…but in 2015 it’s genius. #RIPWeiland
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) December 4, 2015
Scott Weiland gone at 48. What a Fkn shame. Another great talent gone too soon. Rip Scott.
— Morgan Rose (@morgan7d) December 4, 2015
Fuck. RIP Scott Weiland.
— Austin Dickinson (@Austin_AsLions) December 4, 2015
RIP Scott Weiland. I will always remember listening to "Core" in my Walkman on the high school bus. Influential music. You will be missed.
— Ryan Clark (@RyanClarkDH) December 4, 2015
RIP Scott Weiland
— Dave Kushner (@davekushner66) December 4, 2015
One of the greatest voices in rock n roll has fallen silent tonight. #RIPScottWeiland#ShitNoSonhttps://t.co/6tPTbDWHOr
— Chris Kael (@5FDPChrisKael) December 4, 2015
In shock. Weiland. Not sure what happened but we just lost a good one. My love and thoughts are with his family and his colleagues.
— BILLY MORRISON (@BillyMorrison) December 4, 2015
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