Stone Temple Pilots

Defined by the powerful vocals of doomed front man Scott Weiland, Stone Temple Pilots released their debut album, Core, in 1992. The band were associated with the grunge scene, playing a style of heavy rock that nevertheless connected with massive audiences throughout the 1990s. Somehow they kept a foot in both indi and mainstream camps, achieving even greater success and acclaim with their second album, Purple. The ability of STP to write strong songs with memorable riffs and choruses kept them in the top division of Nineties rock, though personal struggles—particularly Weiland’s battles with substance abuse—undermined their success.

Eventually the band sacked their lead singer, recruiting Chester Bennington from alt metal outfit Linkin Park. He departed STP amicably to return to his former band, but neither he nor Scott Weiland survived, both dying young. Stone Temple Pilots continued, however, recruiting a new singer and releasing further albums including 2020’s Perdida.