Scott Weiland found dead, aged 48

The news was initially circulated on Twitter by Dave Navarro, Weiland's friend and guitarist with Jane's Addiction, althought the Tweet was later deleted.

A brief statement was later released via the singer's social media, confirming his death:

"Scott Weiland, best known as the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, passed away in his sleep while on a tour stop in Bloomington, Minnesota, with his band The Wildabouts. At this time we ask that the privacy of Scott’s family be respected."

Weiland formed Stone Temple Pilots in San Diego in 1989 with guitarists Dean and Robert DeLeo, and drummer Erik Kretz. The band scored a series of hits during the grunge era, releasing five albums between 1992-2001 and securing a Grammy for their song Plush. Following the band's split in 2002, he hooked up with former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, plus Dave Kushner of Wasted Youth to form the supergroup Velvet Revolver, whose two albums were well received before their dissolution in 2008. 

Thanks to a meeting set up by Weiland's wife, Mary Forsberg, he and the DeLeo brothers reconciled that year, with Stone Temple Pilots reuniting for 2010's self-titled comeback album, although the reunion proved short-lived. Legal battles over rights to the band's name surrounded their eventual, final separation, with the singer forming his own group, The Wildabouts.

Weiland had a lengthy and well-publicised history of drug problems, having been jailed in 1999 for violating probation following his arrest for possession of crack cocaine. Recent interviews found the singer professing to be clean, but doubts were raised as to the veracity of his claims by the likes of celebrity tattle site TMZ.

Scott Weiland & The Wildabouts had been scheduled to perform in Minnesota on Thursday evening.

A statement from his former bandmates in Stone Temple Pilots issued on Friday evening read:

Dear Scott,

Let us start by saying thank you for sharing your life with us.

Together we crafted a legacy of music that has given so many people happiness and great memories.

The memories are many, and they run deep for us.

We know amidst the good and the bad you struggled, time and time again.

It’s what made you who you were.

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.

All of our love and respect.

We will miss you brother,

Robert, Eric, Dean

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More: Scott Weiland on Stone Temple Pilots' discography

Scott Weiland on Stone Temple Pilots' return in 2010