Three Years Ago Today – Remembering Scott Weiland

Three years ago today (Dec 3rd) we lost one of the most dynamic & enigmatic front-men of the 90's 'grunge' era. He was inspirational on stage, a train wreck off-stage, but admired & loved by fellow artists and fans alike. Always a target for the media.

Scott Weiland was found dead on his tour bus on December 3, 2015 in Bloomington, Minnesota, before he and his band The Wildabouts were scheduled to go on stage in Rochester, Minnesota at the Wicked Moose on Friday December 4th 2015, a Z-Rock Concert Event! He was 48. I contend that if the show at 'The Moose' had happened, we'd still be talking about it today!

I watched the whole thing unfold on twitter like a tidal wave that Thursday evening around 11 pm.  I couldn't believe my eyes and ears knowing he was slated to be in Rochester the following evening. I remember sending the Z-Rock program director a Facebook message that was pretty simple....."Scott Weiland is DEAD"!  He would then confirm, and post the news via the radio station website & socials. Unreal !

A loyal Z-Rocker & listener told me this today: Brianna Singer- "Mannnnn.... I was SO EXCITED to go to this show. When my boyfriend told me Scott had died, I just assumed it was an internet hoax. I was so sad when it wasn't... 😢"

His death was caused by a mixture of alcohol, cocaine and MDA, a drug similar to MDMA or ecstasy. Weiland's history of drug abuse was a contributing factor in his death, according to a news release from the Hennepin County medical examiner's office. ( SOURCE: CNN.com )

Whether you accept his questionable lifestyle choices or not, one cannot deny he left an indelible mark on the world of 'grunge', and Rock & Roll in general. In my mind, he knew all the risks, but chose to be who he was, a ROCK STAR!

In a statement from Scott's wife to various national media, including CNN; "We are angry and sad about this loss, but we are most devastated that he chose to give up," his ex-wife wrote. "Skip the depressing T-shirt with 1967-2015 on it -- use the money to take a kid to a ballgame or out for ice cream."

Today, POST your favorite Scott Weiland story, Songs, Concert Photos and/or Memories at the Z-Rock Facebook Page! Were YOU planning on being there at the Wicked Moose on that Friday night? Did you save your unused Ticket Stub? Tell us about it!

-Train Wreck ~ Z-Rock Weekends \m/\m/

[PHOTO GALLERY 1 - Surf Ballroom - Clear Lake, IA]

[PHOTO GALLERY 2 - The Myth - Maplewood, MN]

Another Unused Ticket - Waterloo, IA (below)