Died On This Date (December 3, 2015) Scott Weiland / Stone Temple Pilots; Velvet Revolver
themusicsover Scott Weiland (Born Scott Kline)
October 27, 1967 – December 3, 2015
Scott Weiland was the front man for the popular ’90s alternative rock band, Stone Temple Pilots. He later fronted Velvet Revolver, a harder leaning band that included Slash, Duff McKagen and Matt Sorum of Guns N’ Roses, and Dave Kushner of Wasted Youth. Weiland also released a handful of solo albums throughout his career. Born in Northern California, Weiland was living in Orange County, CA by the time he was in high school. In t he late ’80s, he co-founded Stone Temple Pilots who went on to enjoy massive success both on record and on tour. The band’s first two albums, Core and Purple, sold over 14 million copies combined in the US alone, and produced such hits as “Plush,” “Vaseline” and “Interstate Love Song.” Stone Temple Pilots split in 2002 and Weiland launched his second act with Velvet Revolver. The band’s debut, Contraband, debuted on the Billboard chart at No. 1 and went on to sell over 2 million copies while its single, “Slither,” earned the band a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. Weiland left Velvet Revolver and reunited with Stone Temple Pilots in 2008. The band toured and recorded through 2013 with Weiland working solo both during, and after its second run. It was while on tour with his solo band, the Wildabouts, that Weiland’s long-time demons got the best of him. On December 3, 2105, Scott Weiland, age 48, was found dead on his tour bus prior to a show in Bloomington, MN. Cause of death was ruled an accidental overdose.
What You Should Own
Mike Reaves was a guitarist in alternative metal band, Full Devil Jacket. Formed as Voodoo Hippies in Jackson, Tennessee, the band changed its name to Full Devil Jacket just before being signed to Island Records during the late ’90s. The band went on to release an EP and their self-titled full length debut which quickly went gold. The band was a popular live draw and toured with the likes of Creed, Stone Temple Pilots, and Type O Negative. Following his departure from Full Devil Jacket, Reaves played with Travisty and collaborated with 3 Legged Dog, Jasmine Cain and Randy Lovelace. During the spring of 2010, Reaves was diagnosed with prostate cancer which ultimately took his life on July 25, 2011. He was 52.
Derek Frigo was the son of jazz musician Johnny Frigo and singer-actress Brittney Browne. He was also the lead guitarist for 80’s glam band, Enuff Z’nuff who had a couple of hits with “New Thing” and “Fly High Michelle.” He was considered by many to be one of the unsung guitar greats of hard rock. Forming in 1984, Enuff Z’nuff signed to Atco Records who released their self titled debut that was loaded with neo-psychedelic pop rock songs. Their music became popular enough to warrant an appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman and numerous visits to the Howard Stern show. Rolling Stone even called them the “hot band of the year” upon the release of their 1991 follow-up, Strength. But despite regular rotation on MTV and critical praise, their albums failed to sell the numbers they deserved, so Atco and then Arista Records dropped them. It was about this time that Frigo left the band and sadly let the effects of drugs and alcohol take control of his life. He moved to Los Angeles where he played with a few local bands and was reportedly working with Stone Temple Pilots on some of their material, but nothing seemed to click for him. Frigo was found dead of an overdose outside the apartment of a friend on May 28, 2004.
