Scott Weiland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Scott Weiland
Weiland performing in July 2009
Background information
Birth name	Scott Richard Kline
Born	(1967-10-27)October 27, 1967 San Jose, California, U.S.
Died	December 3, 2015(2015-12-03) (aged 48) Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock hard rock alternative metal grunge
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Years active	1985–2015
Labels	Softdrive Atlantic RCA

Scott Richard Weiland (born Scott Richard Kline; October 27, 1967 – December 3, 2015) was an American singer and songwriter. He was famous as the lead singer for the rock band Stone Temple Pilots. He sang with them from 1989 to 2003 and again from 2008 to 2013.

Scott Weiland also led the rock supergroup Velvet Revolver from 2003 to 2008. He released solo albums and worked with other musicians too. Weiland was known for his exciting stage presence and changing looks. He also used a megaphone for a special sound during concerts.

He sold over 50 million albums with his different music projects. On December 3, 2015, Scott Weiland passed away at age 48. He was found on his tour bus in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Early Life and Education

Scott Richard Kline was born in San Jose, California, on October 27, 1967. His parents were Sharon and Kent Kline. When he was five, his stepfather, David Weiland, adopted him. Scott then took the Weiland family name.

Around that time, he moved to Bainbridge Township, Ohio. He went to Kenston High School there. As a teenager, Scott moved back to California. He attended Edison High School and Orange Coast College. Before becoming a full-time musician, he worked for a legal newspaper.

Music Career Highlights

Stone Temple Pilots: The Early Years

In 1985, Scott Weiland met bassist Robert DeLeo at a concert. They became friends and decided to start a band. Scott's childhood friends joined them at first. Later, Eric Kretz and Robert's brother, Dean DeLeo, became members.

They named their band Stone Temple Pilots. In 1992, they released their first album, Core. It had popular songs like "Wicked Garden", "Creep", and "Plush".

Stone Temple Pilots in 2011

Their second album, Purple, came out in 1994. This album helped the band find its unique sound. Purple was also a big hit, selling over six million copies. It featured hit singles such as "Big Empty", "Vasoline", and "Interstate Love Song". Critics liked Purple even more than their first album.

In 1999, Stone Temple Pilots released No. 4. This album included the popular song "Sour Girl". That same year, Weiland also recorded two songs with a group called the Wondergirls.

In 2001, STP released their fifth album, Shangri-La Dee Da. The band toured with other groups like Linkin Park. By late 2002, the band members had disagreements. This led to the band breaking up for a while.

Stone Temple Pilots: The Reunion

Weiland onstage with Stone Temple Pilots, 2008

In 2008, Stone Temple Pilots announced they would tour again. They played their first show together since 2002 on May 17, 2008. The reunion tour was very successful. The band continued to tour and started recording new music.

Their sixth studio album, also called Stone Temple Pilots, was released on May 25, 2010. In 2011, STP toured in Southeast Asia and Australia for the first time.

The band planned a 20th-anniversary tour for their album Core in 2012. However, problems started between Weiland and the other band members. On February 27, 2013, Stone Temple Pilots announced that Weiland was no longer in the band. Weiland was unhappy when the band hired Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington to replace him.

Velvet Revolver: A New Chapter

In 2002, former members of Guns N' Roses – guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Matt Sorum – wanted to form a new band. They teamed up with guitarist Dave Kushner. They were looking for a singer.

Scott Weiland knew these musicians already. He became friends with McKagan at a gym. Weiland was sent music to work with. He liked the second set of songs, which reminded him of early Stone Temple Pilots.

Weiland performing with Velvet Revolver in London

When Stone Temple Pilots broke up in 2003, the new band sent Weiland more music. He added vocals to it, and it became the song "Set Me Free". Weiland decided to join the band. They recorded "Set Me Free" and a cover of Pink Floyd's "Money".

The band chose the name Velvet Revolver. Weiland liked the idea of "something intimate like velvet juxtaposed with something deadly like a gun."

Velvet Revolver's first album, Contraband, came out in June 2004. It was a huge success, reaching number one on the Billboard charts. The album sold over three million copies. Songs like "Slither" and "Fall to Pieces" became number one hits. "Slither" also won a Grammy Award in 2005.

Weiland performing at Provinssirock festival in Seinäjoki, Finland, June 2007

Their second album, Libertad, was released on July 3, 2007. It reached number five on the Billboard 200. Critics had mixed feelings about the album. Some felt it gave the band its own unique sound.

On April 1, 2008, it was announced that Weiland was no longer a member of Velvet Revolver. The band reunited for one show with Weiland in January 2012.

Art of Anarchy

This music project began in 2011. Weiland wrote and recorded vocals for their debut album between 2012 and 2013. He also took part in photo shoots and music videos in 2014.

Their first album, Art of Anarchy, was released in June 2015. Weiland later said he was not a full member of the band. He explained that he was paid to write lyrics and melodies for the project. After Weiland's death, Scott Stapp became the lead singer for Art of Anarchy.

Solo Career and The Wildabouts

While Stone Temple Pilots took a break, Weiland released his first solo album. It was called 12 Bar Blues (1998). Weiland wrote most of the songs and worked with several other artists.

On November 25, 2008, Weiland released his second solo album, "Happy" in Galoshes. He toured in early 2009 to promote this album.

Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts perform at the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., on March 11, 2013.

On August 30, 2011, Weiland released A Compilation of Scott Weiland Cover Songs. This album featured his versions of other artists' songs.

On October 4, 2011, he released The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. This album was made up entirely of Christmas music. Weiland toured the U.S. to support the album.

Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts began their Purple at the Core tour in March 2013. In June 2014, Weiland announced that his first album with the Wildabouts, Blaster, would be released. It came out on March 31, 2015. Sadly, guitarist Jeremy Brown passed away the day before the album's release.

Other Projects

In 2006, Weiland started his own record label, Softdrive Records. He also signed a deal with Bug Music in 2008. This deal helped him develop new music projects.

On January 21, 2009, Weiland launched his own clothing line. It was called Weiland for English Laundry. He partnered with designer Christopher Wicks for this project.

Musical Style

Scott Weiland's singing and musical style changed a lot over his career. In the early 1990s, with Stone Temple Pilots, he had a deep, baritone voice. People sometimes compared it to Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder.

As STP's music changed, so did Weiland's voice. On their third album, Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop, he sang in a higher, rougher tone. Later albums showed his love for different styles, from bossa nova to blues rock.

Weiland's first solo album, 12 Bar Blues (1998), was a big change. It mixed glam rock with trip hop. With Velvet Revolver, his vocals ranged from his classic baritone to a more raw style. This fit the band's hard rock sound.

His second solo album, "Happy" in Galoshes (2008), had many different music styles. These included bossa nova, country, and indie rock. His Christmas album in 2011 featured Christmas music sung in a smooth style. It was similar to singers like David Bowie and Frank Sinatra.

Personal Life

Scott Weiland married Janina Castaneda in 1994. They divorced in 2000. He then married Mary Forsberg in 2000. They had a son named Noah (born 2000) and a daughter named Lucy (born 2002). They divorced in 2007.

In 2005, Weiland and his son Noah appeared on a TV show. It was a comedy sketch about sharing music files. Noah had a funny line telling a girl to buy his dad's album so he could eat.

Weiland was a big fan of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football. This was because his stepfather went to that university. In 2006, he performed at the University of Notre Dame.

Mary Forsberg wrote a book about her life with Scott, called Fall to Pieces, in 2009. Weiland also wrote his own autobiography, Not Dead & Not for Sale, released in 2011.

In 2012, Weiland shared that he was engaged to Jamie Wachtel. He met her while filming a music video in 2011. They got married at their home in Los Angeles on June 22, 2013.

In late 2020, Weiland's son Noah Weiland started a new band called Suspect208. It also included Slash's son London on drums and Robert Trujillo's son Tye on bass. Their first song reminded people of early Stone Temple Pilots music.

Passing Away

Scott Weiland was found deceased on his tour bus in Bloomington, Minnesota, on December 3, 2015. He was 48 years old. He had been on tour with his band, the Wildabouts.

News of Weiland's passing spread quickly. Many musicians, including his former bandmates, shared their sadness and memories. A private funeral was held for Weiland in Los Angeles. Members of both Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver attended. Weiland's body was cremated.

Musical Legacy

After Weiland's death, many music critics and other artists remembered his life and career. David Fricke of Rolling Stone magazine wrote about his impact. Many artists honored him by playing Stone Temple Pilots songs at their concerts.

Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins praised Weiland. He said that Weiland's unique way of singing made his music special. Corgan also said that Weiland, Layne Staley, and Kurt Cobain were the greatest voices of their generation.

In 2018, Guns N' Roses honored Weiland during their tour. They covered the Velvet Revolver hit song "Slither".

Discography

Solo Albums

Studio Albums

Cover Albums

• A Compilation of Scott Weiland Cover Songs (2011)

Charted Singles

With Stone Temple Pilots

With Velvet Revolver

With Art of Anarchy

• Art of Anarchy (2015)

See Also

In Spanish: Scott Weiland para niños