Weiland was the best says STP Dean
But DeLeo says he couldn't let former frontman Scott destroy legacy

Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo says former frontman Scott Weiland was the best in the business at one point.
But he adds that he couldn’t allow former glory to let the singer ruin the band’s legacy.
Weiland recently blamed the “goggles of management” for his second departure from the group in 2013, rather than any clash with DeLeo, bassist brother Robert or drummer Eric Kretz.
Dean DeLeo tells the Orange County Register: “In his day there was no one better. I will take that to my grave – but my dear Scott left us long ago.”
He continues: “Robert, Eric, Scott and I had put 25 years of our lives into it. Just because I had one guy that didn’t really give a care any more – I’m not going to let one guy ruin my dream, my band and my legacy.
“I worked hard for Stone Temple Pilots and I love it with a passion. Robert, Eric and I don’t take for granted what the music has meant to people.”
They’ve been working with Chester Bennington since Weiland’s departure. The Linkin Park man recently said he was pushing himself beyond his comfort zone on STP’s upcoming album.
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DeLeo says: “We knew Chester was fit for the position in every sense of the word – physically, mentally and spiritually. We knew he would bring an elegance and justice to not only to our legacy, but to our future.”
The band are currently on tour across the US. Weiland will tour next month with his latest band the Wildabouts, despite the sudden death of guitarist Jeremy Brown on the day their debut album was released.

Scott has spent 36 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 11 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.