• 1992-

  Scott WeilandVocals1992-2002, 2008-2013

  Dean DeLeoGuitar

  Robert DeLeoBass

  Eric KretzDrums

  Chester BenningtonVocals2013-2015

  Jeffrey Adam GuttVocals2017-
• Stone Temple Pilots were one of the biggest rock bands of the '90s, when they were fronted by the captivating but troubled Scott Weiland. He spent five months in jail in 1999 for violating probation after a heroin conviction, and was arrested on drug charges again in 2003. He was fired from the band in 2013 and died from a drug overdose two years later.
• Weiland was diagnosed with manic-depressive disorder. He would often refuse to take medication for it and had lots of mood swings as a result.
• The band are big supporters of the 2001 movie and off-Broadway play Hedwig and the Angry Inch. It's about a German boy who gets a botched sex-change operation, moves to a Kansas trailer park, and starts a band called Hedwig. STP dressed up and performed as Hedwig on a few occasions.
• The band originally went by STP, but got into some legal trouble from using the name (STP is a brand of engine treatment). They came up with three words to use instead, which at first were Shirley Temple's P--sy. They eventually changed it to Stone Temple Pilots.
• In 1997, while Scott Weiland was having legal problems stemming from his drug addiction, the other three members formed a side band called Talk Show with former Ten Inch Men singer David Coutts. They released their self-titled album in 1997. Coutts was fired from Talk Show in March of 1998, and the band never released another album.
• In 2003, Weiland joined Velvet Revolver with Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. He left and returned to STP in 2008.
• Stone Temple Pilots were voted both Best New Band (by readers) and Worst New Band (by critics) in Rolling Stone's 1994 music awards.
• The band formed in 1989 as Mighty Joe Young, with Robert DeLeo, Weiland, Eric Kretz and a guitarist named Corey Hickok, who was later replaced by Robert's brother, Dean. They had to talk Dean into coming back to the music scene, since he had stopped playing and was focused on business ventures. They changed their name when they found out there was a blues singer who went by Mighty Joe Young.
• Describing his cocaine-fueled hallucinations in his book Not Dead & Not For Sale, Weiland says: "There were actual forms facing me, the faces of skeletons."
• Scott Weiland was fired by the band on February 27, 2013. He responded to the firing with his own statement: "I learned of my supposed 'termination' from Stone Temple Pilots this morning by reading about it in the press. Not sure how I can be 'terminated' from a band that I founded, fronted and co-wrote many of its biggest hits, but that's something for the lawyers to figure out."
• Chester Bennington of Linkin Park was their lead singer from 2013-2015. They played together for the first time on May 18, 2013 at the KROQ Weenie Roast - it was the first time the band performed since firing Scott Weiland. Bennington said of the union, "I've loved STP since I was 13 years old and they've had a huge influence on me. When the opportunity came up to do something creative with them, I jumped at the chance."
  
  Bennington left the group because of his commitments to Linkin Park; the band replaced him with Jeff Gutt in 2017. Like Weiland, Bennington died two years after leaving the band. His death was ruled a suicide.
• The cover of their second album, Purple, shows a baby riding a dragon in the sky while some angelic figures look on. It is based on the artwork from a package of China White heroin that Weiland scored in Los Angeles.
• On their 2001-2002 Shangri-La Dee Da tour, the band was in such dysfunction that they brought along a "sober coach" to keep them focused. He came in handy after one show when he stepped in to prevent a fight between Weiland and Dean DeLeo.
• In a 2014 Songfacts interview with Scott Weiland, he explained what the band is known for: "Big, D-tuned power riffs, power chords, and big sound."

Comments: 16

• Dih from Diddy Palacedid yall know big bang baby is abt kurt cobain
• Drose from Dayton OhI saw STP at least 10 times, 1st time they had trouble playing their songs live, lil sloppy. Reason being Dean's guitar phrasing is extraordinary, not yr normal power chords and fairly difficult to play. Once they perfected their craft they were powerful, one of my fav's of all time. And Ive seen quite a bit.
  
  I really believe the drugs drive the inspiration and creativity, why does it have to be so destructive. Appreciate and enjoy what they were and still are. Definitely less without Weiland but Im a guitar player and am a huge fan of Dean Deleo. I just missed them at a small theatre in Cincinnati Nov/21. That won't happen again! Thanks STP RIP Scott
• Chris from Virginia Beach, VaI saw STP in San Diego twice, once at the fairgrounds and the other opening up for the Chili Peppers. Awesome show, but STP by far was better.
• Max from Dunwoody, GaAgree with Rick from L.A. about them not getting enough credit. I hate how they were always panned as pearl jam clones. After deep throaty lead-singers and heavy guitars (and how many rock bands can you say that about?) the similarities end. Pearl Jam has always had a much more raw, unrefined sound, whereas STP had a refined, melodic sound. I think it was just unfortunate timing on their part and the lack of foresight on the part of critics to see that STP was just part of a new sound that would influence rock to this day (see incubus, queens of the stoneage, etc.)
• Danny from Winsted, Ctgood band...they broke up mainly because of scott's frug addiction...i wished they stuck together
• Everett from Providence, RiFrom what i understand, Scott and Dean didn't get along towards the end. After their last show they got into a fist fight backstage. The song "All in the suits that you wear" was supposed to be the big song on the Spiderman soundtrack but wasn't ready, they got "Hero" instead. The band refused to put it on the album if it wasn't the signature track. Now it's on "Thank you", hardly a greatest hit.
• Joey from Cincinnati, OhHey, can someone tell me why they broke up?
• Jay from Charlotte, NcDoes anyone know what Big Bang Baby is all about?
• Ercilia from Weston, FlScott weiland is so beautiful!! :)
  He was much better looking before the heavy heroin use though :/
• Rick from Los Angeles, Cagreat rock 'n' roll band, deserve a lot more credit
• Will from Mission, TxStone Temple Pilots were actually good at one point. Then they got too soft and mellow. You see what happens when you take an artist's heroin away? You see what happens?!
• Kelly from Ridgefield, CtYes, the new band is Velvet Revolver, and their first album is "Contraband." Quite good actually, I recommend listening to the songs "Slither" "Fall to Pieces" and "Dirty Little Thing" in particular.
• Chad from Orlando, FlScott(vocals) and Robert(bass)met in California when they discovered they were dating the same girl. They both dumped the girl, moved into her apartment after she left, and formed STP after calling Robert's brother Dean(guitar).
• Danny from Dallas, TxScott Weiland recently joined up with former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Matt Sorum, and Duff McKagan in a group called Velvet Revolver. Also, STP originally went by the name "Mighty Joe Joung", until they discovered that there was a blues act of the same name already in existence.
• Taylor from Jackson, MiThey were often classified under the grunge movement
• Tom from St. Louis, MoGreat Band, I saw the STP opening live for Aerosmith - Great performance

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