Watch Stone Temple Pilots’ Heartfelt Musical Tribute to Scott Weiland
The surviving members of Stone Temple Pilots have paid tribute to former singer Scott Weiland with a video where they spotlight one of Weiland’s most powerful, resounding vocal performances.
“Recently the three of us sat down together to share our memories of Scott and take a moment to reflect on the amazing times we shared,” guitarist Dean DeLeo, bassist Robert DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “We put the master up of a song called ‘Atlanta’ from the No. 4 record that we feel really highlights the true brilliance of Scott. We would like to share it with you.”
“Together let’s honor Scott. … ‘Memories of Candles and Incense.’ Having the opportunity to listen to these tracks individually reveal the beauty of Scott’s lyrical and melodic gift. This is one of the many musical moments we shared together. It is in this way we would like to remember Scott.”
For the video, the title of which comes from the lyrics to “Atlanta,” the band dug up the multi-track recordings of the song after 16 years to remember Weiland’s legacy. “Dean and Eric and I wanted to honor Scott, and we thought the best way to do that would be musically. We chose this song because we feel it represents one of the times in our career that Scott was truly at his best,” Robert DeLeo says in the video. “When you hear this track, we hope to share in the same feeling and spirit each of us had while recording it. The four of us, in a room, capturing a moment in time on tape. So enjoy this song and the depth of this brilliant performance from Scott.”
“This is one song in particular that hits me the same way that it did the day that we recorded it,” Kretz added. “I love how he crafts such great lyrics, the melody, and the true and honest tone in his voice. It’s truly something special.”
Following Weiland’s December 3rd death, his former bandmates wrote in an open letter, “You were gifted beyond words, Scott. Part of that gift was part of your curse. With deep sorrow for you and your family, we are saddened to see you go.”