Grunge singer Scott Weiland dies at age 48

BLOOMINGTON, Minn.— Scott Weiland, the magnetic former frontman of the Stone Temple Pilots whose three-decade career in music also included solo albums and a spot in the supergroup Velvet Revolver, has died. He was 48.

The singer's manager, Tom Vitorino, confirmed the death to The Associated Press early Friday morning. Vitorino referred to a statement on Weiland's Facebook page that said the singer died in his sleep while on a tour stop in suburban Minneapolis.

Police said investigators found small amounts of cocaine on Weiland's tour bus, though a cause of death hasn't been released. The singer had been dogged by substance abuse problems throughout his career.

Weiland's former Stone Temple Pilot bandmates—Eric Kretz and brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo—released a statement Friday thanking Weiland "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," the statement read. "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."

Weiland rose to fame as the frontman of Stone Temple Pilots, which became one of the most commercially successful bands to come out of the early 1990s grunge rock movement. The band's 1992 debut album, "Core," was an insta-hit and sold 8 million units. The hit single "Plush" won the Grammy for best hard rock performance.

The band's follow-up was a white-hot success, too: 1994's "Purple" hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard pop charts, sold 6 million copies and launched the hits "Interstate Love Song" and "Vasoline."