The Three Lives Of Stone Temple Pilots: Where Are STP’s Lead Singers Now? (2025 Update)
The legacy of Stone Temple Pilots (STP) is a remarkable, yet often tragic, story defined by the incredible talent and tumultuous lives of its vocalists. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the band continues to tour and create new music, proving their resilience, but the shadow of their past—and the iconic voices that shaped their sound—remains the defining narrative.
The band’s journey has been a revolving door of brilliance and heartbreak, anchored by three distinct eras led by three singular frontmen: the irreplaceable grunge icon Scott Weiland, the brief but powerful tenure of Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, and the current, stable era led by the dynamic Jeff Gutt. This article provides a deep dive into the biography, musical contribution, and current status of each singer, offering the most updated look at the Stone Temple Pilots timeline.
The Complete Biography of Stone Temple Pilots’ Lead Singers
The history of STP’s vocalists is inextricably linked to the band’s sound, from the grunge-era dominance of *Core* and *Purple* to the acoustic introspection of their latest work. Here is a complete profile of the three men who have fronted the legendary rock band.
Scott Weiland: The Iconic Original (1989–2003, 2008–2013)
- Full Name: Scott Richard Weiland (born Scott Richard Kline)
- Born: October 27, 1967, San Jose, California, U.S.
- Died: December 3, 2015 (Age 48)
- Cause of Death: Accidental overdose (cocaine, ethanol, and MDA)
- STP Contribution: Co-founder and lead vocalist for the band’s most commercially successful period, including albums *Core*, *Purple*, *Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop*, *No. 4*, and *Shangri-La Dee Da*.
- Other Notable Bands: Velvet Revolver (with members of Guns N' Roses).
- Legacy: Widely regarded as one of the most charismatic and versatile frontmen of the 1990s rock scene, known for his distinctive baritone and chameleonic stage persona.
Chester Bennington: The Transitional Era (2013–2015)
- Full Name: Chester Charles Bennington
- Born: March 20, 1976, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
- Died: July 20, 2017 (Age 41)
- Cause of Death: Suicide
- STP Contribution: Joined the band after Weiland’s second departure, released the *High Rise* EP with the band in 2013. He left amicably in 2015 to focus on Linkin Park.
- Other Notable Bands: Linkin Park, Grey Daze, Dead by Sunrise.
- Legacy: A world-renowned vocalist whose powerful, emotional delivery brought a temporary new energy to STP, fulfilling a lifelong dream of fronting one of his favorite bands.
Jeff Gutt: The Current Incarnation (2017–Present)
- Full Name: Jeffrey Adam Gutt
- Born: May 2, 1976, Marine City, Michigan, U.S.
- STP Contribution: Became the band's third official lead singer in November 2017 after a lengthy online audition process. He has recorded two studio albums with the band: the self-titled *Stone Temple Pilots* (2018) and the acoustic album *Perdida* (2020).
- Other Notable Work: Former contestant on the U.S. version of *The X Factor*.
- Current Status: Actively touring with STP, including a major co-headlining tour with the band Live in 2024. He is laying the groundwork for the band's future, focusing on original music while honoring the band's extensive back catalogue.
The Enduring Ghost of Scott Weiland: A Legacy of Charisma and Tragedy
Scott Weiland remains the definitive voice of Stone Temple Pilots. His unique ability to shift vocal styles—from the guttural growl of "Sex Type Thing" to the psychedelic croon of "Interstate Love Song"—defined the sound of 90s alternative rock.
His tenure was marked by immense creative highs, but also by public struggles with addiction and legal issues, which ultimately led to his firing in 2013 and his tragic death in 2015 while on tour with his band The Wildabouts.
Weiland's legacy is a complex tapestry of rock and roll excess and genius. He was a dynamic performer in the mold of Mick Jagger and David Bowie, commanding every stage he stepped onto. His work with STP and the supergroup Velvet Revolver cemented his status as a rock icon, whose influence is still felt deeply today.
The surviving members of STP, Dean DeLeo, Robert DeLeo, and Eric Kretz, continue to pay tribute to Weiland’s material, which forms the core of their live setlist. His artistic spirit and troubled final years are frequently discussed in rock documentaries and biographies, ensuring his story endures.
Chester Bennington’s Brief, Passionate Interlude with STP
When Chester Bennington joined Stone Temple Pilots in 2013, the news sent shockwaves through the music world. As the iconic frontman of Linkin Park, Bennington was a superstar in his own right, and his decision to join STP was a testament to his deep love for the band, which he had followed since childhood.
The collaboration, billed as "Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington," resulted in the *High Rise* EP, a five-song collection that critics noted for its springy, bass-driven songs and a fresh approach. Tracks like "Black Heart" and "Same On The Inside" demonstrated a strong, albeit short-lived, creative synergy between Bennington and the DeLeo brothers.
Bennington’s powerful, soaring vocals offered a different energy than Weiland’s baritone, injecting a raw, almost punk-rock urgency into the band's sound. He amicably departed in 2015, citing the need to prioritize his commitments to Linkin Park. The tragic loss of Bennington in 2017 compounded the sense of grief surrounding the STP family, cementing his brief tenure as a poignant moment in the band's history.
The Jeff Gutt Era: Stability, Acoustic Sound, and the Future of STP
The search for a new lead singer following Bennington’s departure was exhaustive, culminating in the selection of Jeff Gutt in 2017. Gutt, a former reality TV contestant, faced the daunting task of replacing two legendary frontmen.
Gutt's voice possesses a remarkable range and tone that allows him to authentically perform Weiland’s classic material while also bringing his own flavor to new songs. He has spent years now laying the groundwork for the future of STP, often expressing his disbelief at fronting a band he grew up idolizing.
The current era is defined by the 2020 acoustic album, *Perdida*. This project marked a significant sonic adventure for the band, showcasing a deeply personal collection of ten songs. *Perdida* is an entirely acoustic work, featuring instruments like flute, viola, and cello, which highlights Gutt's melodic capabilities and the band’s songwriting maturity beyond their grunge roots.
In 2024, Stone Temple Pilots, with Gutt at the helm, are actively touring, performing their extensive catalogue to dedicated fans. The band’s stability with Gutt has allowed them to focus on live performance and the slow, deliberate process of creating new music.
Looking ahead to 2025, while there is no immediate news of a new STP studio album, the DeLeo brothers continue to be musically active. Dean DeLeo is set to release a solo album, *One More Satellite*, in July 2025, which promises instrumental mastery and evocative tracks, hinting at the creative energy still flowing within the STP camp, even outside the main band.
The story of the STP lead singer is one of constant evolution. From the mesmerizing darkness of Scott Weiland to the current, grounded vision of Jeff Gutt, the band has navigated unimaginable loss to emerge as a resilient force in rock music, a testament to the power of the songs themselves.
Detail Author:
- Name : Ms. Vivian Donnelly
- Username : aliya17
- Email : aiyana79@brown.org
- Birthdate : 1975-09-16
- Address : 729 Wehner Road Suite 545 West Shannyhaven, OR 53367-7941
- Phone : +1-830-859-6304
- Company : Hills-Wilkinson
- Job : Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Bio : Qui ea error molestias nemo. Vel similique et sint aut. Illo veniam et enim velit sed ut quos earum.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/koss2011
- username : koss2011
- bio : Delectus quaerat eum quod dolore reiciendis iusto. Et placeat odit minus libero. Velit provident sed deserunt voluptas.
- followers : 125
- following : 728
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/koss2000
- username : koss2000
- bio : Possimus dolore nihil placeat qui.
- followers : 6617
- following : 530
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/deron_id
- username : deron_id
- bio : Blanditiis dignissimos nisi rerum consectetur omnis dolore qui.
- followers : 3650
- following : 663
