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Weiland performs with Stone Temple Pilots Isaac Brekken

Former bandmates lead tributes to frontman Scott Weiland who died today

The singer’s manager said he passed in his sleep.

TRIBUTES HAVE POURED in for former Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland who died early his morning.

The popular singer died in his sleep while on a tour stop in Bloomington, Minnesota, in the US, according to an official Instagram post.

The cause of death is unknown at this point.

This evening, Associated Press reports that police in Minnesota say they found cocaine in the bedroom of the tour bus.

A “small quantity” of the drug was found and a man travelling with Weiland was arrested. He hasn’t been charged.

On tour

His current band Scott Weiland & the Wildabouts had been scheduled to play a show in nearby Medina.

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.”

Eulogy

Leading rock musicians have lead the tributes to the popular and influential singer.

In a eulogy posted on the Smashing Pumpkin’s website, frontman Billy Corgan said that Weiland was a one of the “great voices of our generation” along with Kurt Cobain and Alice in Chains’ Layne Staley.

“As any fan, I find myself reflecting on what I do have in my own treasure chest: in scarce moments where Scott and I spoke as contemporaries or competitors, and got to know each as people other past the footlights and shadows we were so busy casting to the world.”

Meanwhile, some of Weiland’s former Velvet Revolver bandmates took to Twitter to express their grief:

While Wheatus and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry also paid their tributes:

Fame

Weiland 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.

BRITAIN LIVE 8 Velvet Revolver's Slash, left, and Scott Weiland perform at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London in 2005. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The singer had been dogged by substance abuse issues throughout his career.

With reporting from Cormac Fitzgerald and Associated Press.

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56 Comments
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    Mute Ferg Breen
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    Dec 4th 2015, 7:57 AM

    Very sad news. Always loved STP, especially their first 3 albums
    RIP Crackerman

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    Mute Scarr
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    Dec 4th 2015, 7:54 AM

    Managed to see them on there last tour here. STP were fantastic.

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    Mute Conor Graham
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:28 AM

    Amazing gig – perfection.

    47
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    Mute Uncle Monty
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    Dec 4th 2015, 9:22 AM

    Have to throw on Sex Type Thing now.

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    Mute RTibe
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    Dec 4th 2015, 7:15 PM

    Twas a great gig in the Olympia. And I thought he sounded good and looked a lot healthier, he had some weight on his face and a slight tummy. Saw VR in The Ambassador 5 days before they split and the acrimony was so obvious though. His best performance to me will always be MTV unplugged

    26
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    Mute Barry Flynn
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:02 AM

    Saw him with VR in the Ambassador in ’08. Great rock frontman. Sad news but at least he’s left a lot of great songs behind him

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    Mute Paul Whittle
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:51 AM

    That was a great gig. 2nd last show they ever played I believe. The broke up a week later

    45
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    Mute Alan Duffy
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:04 AM

    A sad and unfortunately, inevitable end to a great talent!!

    59
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    Mute nikki
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:07 AM

    @alan it’s inevitable that we will all die at some time. Right now the cause of death hasn’t been released. Let’s wait u till we know what happened before making comments like that.

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    Mute AllseeingI
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:23 AM

    Life expectancy is greater than 48 these days even though he is off the drugs now he took a hell of a lot. I love Velvet Revolver RIP

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    Mute The Normal One
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    Dec 4th 2015, 9:18 AM

    Tell that to the members of Black Sabbath, who took more drugs than almost all the rest of the music industry combined, all four still alive. Speculation helps nobody. RIP

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    Mute Eugene Walsh
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:50 AM

    ….And I feel so much depends on the weather !!
    Rest easy Scott !

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    Mute Aaron Hynes
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:48 PM

    What a song! Plush!

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    Mute Soo Danom
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:18 AM

    Fall to pieces- what a tune, maybe a self fulfilling prophecy?
    Sad to hear this news.

    48
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    Mute Nigel Tuffnel
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:25 AM

    STP were good, he was a great singer, I’m sure the years of drug abuse had something to do with it. Awful pity.

    46
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    Mute William Clay
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:06 AM

    Terrible news. Was lucky enough to have seen both bands. A talented musician who will live on in his records.

    42
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    Mute Shay Ferris
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:27 AM

    Awful news to wake up to, I was a big fan of his work Velvet Revolver in particular. Had the pleasure of being right up the front to see him kill it in the ambassador on his last tour with VR back in 08. From STP to some moments of brilliance on his solo albums hes left a lot of great music as his legacy RIP Scott Weiland

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    Mute Piotrek Król
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    Dec 4th 2015, 10:39 AM

    “I wanna be as big as a mountain
    I wanna fly as high as the sun
    I wanna know what the rent’s like in heaven
    I wanna know where the river goes”

    37
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    Mute Declan Bowe
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    Dec 4th 2015, 9:08 AM

    Very underrated band where STP, they came pm the scene at the height of grunge were overshadowed by other bands RIP

    34
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    Mute Mark Byrne
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    Dec 4th 2015, 10:07 AM

    STPs first 2 albums are still 2 of my favourite of all time. Loved VR too. R.I.P.

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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Dec 4th 2015, 7:51 AM

    Who ?

    29
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    Mute Brian Mulligan
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    Dec 4th 2015, 7:54 AM

    Ignorance is catching Shane. Talented guy and most music fans will have heard of or heard him. Rip.

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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:01 AM

    Wouldn’t call it ignorance that I haven’t heard of him. Very sad a man so young has died

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    Mute Scarr
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:04 AM
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    Mute Leadóg Hackett
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:18 AM

    Shane,You should check out Google sometime.

    64
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    Mute Richard III
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:21 AM

    Shane making a feeble attempt of redemption there

    68
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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:39 AM

    Lol No Richard just the back lash from all the loyal thumbs

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    Mute LesBehan
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    Dec 4th 2015, 9:36 AM

    Here you go Shane, good place to start https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr_tkSYIObo

    If you can’t get into this album then there must be something wrong with you :-)

    22
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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Dec 4th 2015, 10:08 AM

    Thanks LesBehan

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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Dec 4th 2015, 10:11 AM

    LesBehan I just checked it out and I’m sorry to say ‘ There must be something wrong with me ‘ not my thing but what ever does it for you …

    10
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    Mute LesBehan
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    Dec 4th 2015, 10:31 AM

    Ah well, at least you know who Scott Weiland is now :-)

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    Mute Paul Wallace
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    Dec 4th 2015, 10:34 AM

    I’ll be honest I’d never heard of him either.

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    Mute Piotrek Król
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    Dec 4th 2015, 10:39 AM

    Good man Shane, you realised in 4 minutes that is isn’t your thing.

    26
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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Dec 4th 2015, 11:47 AM

    Piotrek Yes I gave it a few mins but really after 10 seconds I knew it wasn’t for me. Most people decide in the first few seconds of meeting someone if they will like them or not ! Especially when it comes to sales and job interviews.

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    Mute Piotrek Król
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    Dec 4th 2015, 11:49 AM

    He wasn’t mainstream you see Paul.

    23
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    Mute LesBehan
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    Dec 4th 2015, 12:02 PM

    Just out of interest, what sort of stuff are you into Shane?

    14
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    Mute Ger Hanley
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    Dec 4th 2015, 1:03 PM

    Shane could you not have googled first before making your ignorant and troll like comment, and then argued about it. Have some decency

    27
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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Dec 4th 2015, 1:25 PM

    Grow up Ger !!! All because I don’t know who he is FFS

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:46 PM

    Nor me. Are we supposed to know everyone who sings?

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    Mute jenni
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:53 PM

    Shane look up Velvet Revolver…

    3
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    Mute Charlie Fogarty
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    Dec 5th 2015, 1:35 AM

    http://www.weddingcarsireland.ie/

    I’ll give you a plug Shane ;) Just so people don’t think “Who the funk thinks they could become a millionaire of this idea in a crowded market”

    It could be you Shane…

    1
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    Mute Karl Cranny
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    Dec 4th 2015, 9:36 AM

    RIP, a very talented tragic figure and one of my favourite voices of the 90s – hope you find your peace.

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    Mute Darach Malone
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    Dec 4th 2015, 10:59 AM

    It’s perfectly acceptable to not have heard of him. I’m a massive fan and not enough people have heard of him or his music in my opinion. He was a truly brilliant frontman but a deeply troubled soul. RIP Scott. Your music will live on.

    24
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    Mute Gareth
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    Dec 4th 2015, 10:11 AM

    Rip, what an amazing singer

    14
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    Mute Nigel Carroll
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    Dec 4th 2015, 9:48 AM

    Great voice. Terribly sad.

    12
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    Mute Barry O Neill
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    Dec 4th 2015, 6:30 PM

    Very Sorry to hear this, Stone Temple pilots ” and “velvet Revolver” great stuff.
    RIP.

    8
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    Mute Peter Rice
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    Dec 4th 2015, 8:14 PM

    Tragically underrated singer.It’s a bloody shame that he could never get his life together.

    6
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    Mute Richard Lippy Collins
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    Dec 4th 2015, 1:08 PM

    Ah that’s a shame. Really enjoy STP and VR. I don’t really follow people that well so wasn’t aware he was up to anything at the moment. Now I have something new to check out.

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    Mute David McShite
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    Dec 4th 2015, 9:54 PM

    In fairness to all, the headline and article gives the impression that Scott was more well known than he actually was. I imagine many people (myself included ) clicked on the article more out of curiosity than knowledge. For fans of his work there is emotional investment in this article hence you’re a tad sensitive to any perceived slight. I even sense a touch of music snobbery among some posters.
    If you’re a fan, toast your departed artist and listen to his music again. The rest of us will move on.

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    Mute Conor Graham
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    Dec 5th 2015, 9:31 AM

    *sleight

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    Mute Felicity Hensen
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    Dec 5th 2015, 4:57 AM

    STP have been a favourite band since they released Core, and all these years later I still listen to their albums. Their gig in the Olympia was one of the best I’ve ever attended, delighted I got to see them, and on top form

    4
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