Hey, it was fun while it lasted and, if nothing else, at least we’ll have the memories.
Chester Bennington’s time as the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots is officially over. He had been with the band for two years, replacing original STP frontman Scott Weiland, who was fired for good in 2013. Last week, Weiland broke the news about Bennington’s departure, but we weren’t sure whether to believe it. Now Bennington himself has confirmed the move.
“The last few years have been an amazing experience. I got to create and perform with one of the greatest rock bands of our generation, that had so much influence on me growing up. With the amount of time STP deserves, in addition to being in Linkin Park, and with the needs of my family, one of them always seems to fall short.”
“Going into this, the four of us… Robert, Eric, Dean and myself knew what we were up against. We decided in due fairness to friends, fans and the legacy of STP that it needs more than time was allowing me. And in all fairness to my bandmates in Linkin Park, as well as to myself and to my family, I’m going to focus solely on Linkin Park so I can contribute 100 percent. It’s been an amazing experience and a dream come true, and I look forward to the future of both STP and Linkin Park.”
The Bennington-fronted version of Stone Temple Pilots released a couple of singles, as well as the five-song EP High Rise in 2013. Bennington had said that the gig was a lifelong dream and did a more than passing job nailing Weiland’s parts.
And now it’s over. It seemed like only yesterday the band had dropped “with Chester Bennington” as part of their name, reverting back to just Stone Temple Pilots.
The remaining three members of the band – Robert and Dean DeLeo and Eric Kretz – will be taking part in the latest Mash-Up Monday on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, joining soul/reggae singer Joss Stone to form Joss Stone Temple Pilots. After that, who knows? Maybe the final death of one of the ’90s’ most significant bands.
But if Weiland was right about this, does that mean….Guns ‘N’ Roses reunion?! Because we’d take that tradeoff.
(Via NME)
